In mid-March I wrote about the seriousness of COVID19. At that time, I didn’t know it would affect my family in a devastatingly personal way. I didn’t know that we’d be losing a loved one to COVID, and suffer so much more.
2020 Cancelled
I was scared and hunkered down at the outset of March, a bit before life stopped and 2020 was canceled, while many were still traveling around on vacations.
It Was The Worst Of Times
My knowledge and forethought did little to prepare me, or my family for the losses. Here I said “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Now it’s just the worst of times.
COVID And Our Loved Ones
COVID impacts us all with tremendous losses that are far too grave and widespread to detail here. Below are just a few of those my family has suffered.
Losing A Loved One To COVID
One family member is gone. One family friend is gone. Yes, two of our people are dead and will never come back.
COVID Rampant Danger
A robust young cousin suffered from COVID19. It was nothing like a flu. He appeared briefly at our Zoom Passover Seder and 15 days out looked like he had been hit by a truck.
Praying For Our Health Warriors
A dear friend is a nurse on the front lines and shows up for work day after day in New York City while we worry that she will not be given personal protective equipment (PPE). She doesn’t care. She wants to save your life. I pray she will not lose hers.
9/11 x Ten = 30,000 Dead
This virus has killed more than 30,000 Americans. That is ten 9/11s in a few weeks, and the death count marches on. I can no longer bear to hear the word “hoax” in any context whatsoever.
The Opposite Of Preparedness
Why does a simple one-syllable word bring me to tears? It reminds me that the US was focused on “small government” and killed our Global Health Office. It reminds me that while other countries were fighting a battle against invisible terror orders of magnitude more threatening than 9/11, our government was still denying its existence. That is the opposite of preparedness.
Patriotic Americans
This is the moment for patriotic Americans to make time for brave self-reflection. And for grieving. It is a time to understand what it is to be human and vulnerable. To look at what it means to be part of a family. And to look at how we can be better Americans.
A Time For Self-Reflection
This is the time for the patriotism that makes our country great. To look at our mistakes so that we can improve. A time to honor the fallen, so needlessly sacrificed to a terrifying enemy, as our country, ruled by disorganized dysfunction and chaos, allowed it to run rampant. We can do better than this.
Cindi Gellert says
Dear Elana:
First, I’m indeed so sorry for your loss … the words sound so hollow, and please know that I was indeed so sad when I read your post. I totally appreciate and respect your willingness to shine your light on the “bigger picture” of how we are where we are today. As a reader who has followed you for over a decade (imagine that!) and the difference you’ve made in our family (I think I’ve shared this before – once I found your site, I no longer felt “what am I going to eat/bake for the family” … I’m just grateful for you, your efforts and your honesty to share yourself. So Thank You and my thoughts are indeed with you. Many Blessings from our household.
Elana says
Cindi, thanks so much for your sweet comment. I really needed it at this moment. Grateful for you.
Charlotte Travis says
I am so sorry for your loss, Elana.
I appreciate your comments very much, and I enjoy reading all the e-mails I receive from you, and will eagerly continue to do so.
Charlotte
Elana says
Thanks for your darling words Charlotte.
Ruth Meyer says
I am so sorry for your losses. May their memories be a blessing to you and your family. I hope our words can be of comfort to you.
Sending a virtual hug to you!
Elana says
Ruth, thanks for the virtual hug. Very needed right now after answering a comment saying I am a “hater” which is a bit too much during a time of mourning. We are devastated.
Lisa says
Elena I’m so sorry for your loss of your family member. Life is so precious and a tragic ending for our loved ones who perish is devastating. I’m so sorry that people can’t agree to disagree and removed your blog because you don’t think Like them. Hopefully they will never walk in your shoes and watch someone pass away from a preventable outcome. You have been an inspiration for your blog members.
Elana says
Lisa, thank you for you support during such a needlessly tragic time.
Kathy Keller says
Elana, I am sorry for your loss. I would like to share your article on Facebook but I don’t seem to know how to do that. Please know that many of your readers do agree with you and grieve along with you.
Elana says
Thanks Kathy. Appreciate you.
Karla says
Elana, I’m so sorry for your loss and agree completely that so much of this could have been avoided with smart, competent and compassionate leadership. Wishing you peace during your healing. And don’t worry about those who no longer follow you. There are many more of us who will continue to do so – and share the word with likeminded friends.
Elana says
Karla, you are a true gem. Thank you.
Judit says
Thank you Elana for sharing your thoughts and wonderful recipes! Wishing you and all of us the strengths and healing we need. Peace and love, Judit
Elana says
Judit, thank you so much. Hugs to you.
Saundra Friedman says
I am so sorry you lost people you love. I agree with everything you said here and am grief stricken that the world has been hit with this horrible virus and people are suffering so! What a time to have a president who can think about nothing but himself! It is truly remarkable because in such a position he could do so much good and instead all he does is destroy ! What would you give to be in that position , to be able to make a difference in a positive life saving way? It is bizarre and it makes me weep with sadness and rage ! Such incompetence should not be tolerated by anyone! I know you don’t know who I am but I am thinking about you and your love for humanity .
Elana says
Saundra, thank you so very much for your support during such a difficult time.
Arlene L says
Hello Elana, & Peace, to you & yours. It saddens me to read of your family’s recent sorrow. I do have faith in a loving, merciful God, who knows & cares about our burdens & losses. Since finding your EP website, & enjoying your Recipes & News, I’ve become a fan; admiring your inner & outer strength, courage, & overall positivity/optimism. What I am not understanding here, is that you say people are unhappy or disappointed in your thoughts or comments of today’s message. You are entitled to your feelings & opinions; we all are. And prayer [talking] to The
Almighty (if it is one’s belief) can possibly ease our minds & even help others for whom we offer prayer: and I join many who pray for you & your loved-ones. And I thank you for all of the uplifting EP messages & news ( and amazing recipes! ) you’ve shared with all of us– before & since this Pandemic-tribulation has become another part of our daily life. I hope for Peace; Love; Understanding; to All our World.
Elana says
Arlene, thanks for your sweet words. I am so grateful for your prayers and that you and I are on this path together. You are wonderful.
Deb says
I am so sorry for your loss. Theses are unpredictable times, when we need reassurance from our leaders, and guidance from the experts appointed by our government. What we don’t need is a mixed message, after sacrifices we are which most people are willing to do for the better good. Sacrifice being working from home, social distance and following your personal state guidelines. There are people who day after day are essential and not being protected, or able to go back home, for fear of infecting loved ones. These people are not just health care workers. I have many friends, grocery store workers, who although they felt uncomfortable with the pro cautionary measures not being deemed necessary, and implemented, still went to work day in and out, because they were essential. I am a farm worker, we are the next in line, deemed essential. We agree we are essential. Through the summer we will carefully navigate how to safely handle our product, but it cannot be business as usual. We will start with fulfilling orders, online and curbside. The protection will be handmade masks, gloves, probably from whatever sources we can find, frequent hand washing and sanitizing workspace. Tons more work on our end, but we will do it this way. We won’t feel confident until we get more widespread testing, and lessen our chances of getting and spreading the disease. For most people it is anxiety about the unknown. We need to help our fellow neighbors, to be kind and respectful, not to rush to get back to normal or work without measured caution. Mostly, learn from the world and together we will have a better chance of beating this disease. Blessings
Elana says
Deb, thanks for your comment. We are in desperate need of a focused message from the top, given that we are patriotic Americans who want to follow leadership and save lives. Agree, we cannot feel confident until we get widespread testing. Yes, let’s learn together and do better in the fight against this disease. Sending you many blessings and so much gratitude for being a farmer and giving us the gift of food.