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.
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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.
Joan says
Trust that morning will break through the darkness . Believe that a bright , new dawn awaits
Know that you ate kept in caring thoughts always.
from Tender Thoughts, Greetings, Toronto, Ont
frm Joan
Elana says
Joan, thanks so much for sending your sweet wishes from Canada.
Barbara says
Dear Elana and Family,
I am so sorry to read the loss of a family member and a friend. There are no words I can give that will feel right. Know that I pray for you, your family and friends.
The new grieving process; without gathering, without physical support of a touch, a hug, or feeling the warmth of support from others seems to make the loss so much more difficult.
May you find strength and support as you move on with them in your heart.
Prays, hugs and support.
Barbara NJ
Elana says
Barbara, thanks for your kind words and especially for understanding that this new grieving process is so much more difficult. Thanks for all of your prayers, hugs, and support. Stay safe.
Sarah says
Elana, thank you for being so vocal about this. I am so sorry for your loss. I’m a physician in Denver and every day I worry about getting sick and getting my infant sick. Some of my friends have gotten sick while on the job, thankfully none have been hospitalized. It upsets me to see so many of my neighbors still refer to this disease as a mild flu, when it really puts everyones lives (and particularly those on the front lines) in danger.
Elana says
Sarah, thanks for writing from Denver. I am so sorry that people around our country do not take this infectious disease seriously. It is absolutely tragic. Thank you for being on the front lines of this war and sorry for the lack of support and appreciation you have been given. I am grateful for you and your colleagues who are risking their lives for us.
CinDee Herndon says
Elana,
Words don’t express the magnitude of grief I am sure you are feeling. I am very sorry for your losses. I pray for us all. My daughter transports patients at our local hospital its a very difficult job and they (transporters) are not given the same PPE or respect the nurses and doctors receive. And So I understand your worry too …and also in regards to the country’s lack of leadership/concern for human life.
Elana says
CinDee, I SO SORRY to hear that your daughter is literally on the front lines of this without the proper or respect, both of which are so important. I am so grateful for the sacrifice your family is making by taking risks to care for others. Thank you.
Rose says
Wow. So very sorry to hear of your losses. No amount of preparedness can help you heal . Sending hugs to you and yours in this time of grief .
Other than staying home , supporting Our immune systems And washing with soap what do you think we need ?
Other than a new government.
Elana says
Rose, thanks for your kind words and I’m so sad that we have not had the support from our government that would have saved lives during a time of emergency.
Karen says
I am so sorry for your losses. We have lost so many people needlessly and so many families and circles have suffered loss. I do hope that as a nation we can learn and embrace the changes that are necessary as we move forward. I wish I felt more confident that we would. Here in Oregon there is a growing push to ‘open up’ and ‘return to normal’. My fear is that there is so little understanding of the consequences of ‘opening up’ and that we will suffer a second wave or this fall, have a repeat of events. May peace find it’s way to your heart and may wisdom find it’s way to our leaders.
Elana says
Karen, thanks for your thoughtful comment. I don’t think people really understand that this infectious disease is killing perfectly healthy people and that the stakes are so very high. I hope you stay safe and please keep me posted on how you’re doing.
Lisa says
I am so sorry for your losses.
My thoughts are with you.
Sending you support and strength from New Jersey.
Elana says
Lisa, thanks for your kind thoughts from New Jersey. Stay safe.
Sandra J. says
Dear Elena,
Condolences on your loss.
Please check out David Kessler interview podcast on “ten percent happier” as an intro to him.
Also check his website for all his work.
He is golden with a capital “G”.
His background is impressive and his own journey is remarkable.
https://grief.com/
“There is no night that’s not followed by day”
Stay well. ❤️
Elana says
Thanks Sandra. Stay safe.
Caroline Dey says
My heart goes out to you and your family. What a difficult time …Know that I am thinking of you and sending virtual hugs from the West Coast of Canada.
Elana says
Caroline, thanks for writing from Canada, sending hugs back to you.
Carla says
I am very sorry for your loss, Elena. I’ve been following you for years and you are like family to me. This is so heartbreaking. ❤️❤️
Elana says
Carla, thanks for your warm wishes. So grateful for you.