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.
Sarah says
Elana,
I read your blog and today I had to write. I am so very sorry about the loss of your young cousin, it is heartbreaking. And then the bravery of your nurse friend… I can’t even imagine her fear but selfless drive to help others.
We lost my Aunt at age 92 a month ago and my boyfriend’s 92 year old Mother ( still vibrant and driving) to the virus. It is REAL and serious.
Thank you for your words and I hope there will be no others affected by some miracle.
Elana says
Sarah, thanks for your kind words. It was not the cousin but a different family member. And yes, this is REAL and serious –well put.
GAYLE PAVLOFSKY says
I’m so sorry for your losses, Elena. I, too, just this week, lost a friend to this awful virus after his partner had to fight for every type of treatment that should have been given to him without a question, It’s bad enough when a loved one is sick and no one can be there with them but when you also have to fight with the hospital administration to get him the treatments that could save him, it’s an additional stress that no one needs. This was a labor of love on all fronts and had his partner not gone to the news media, the hospital would not have done any of the treatments that were being requested. Because they continued to delay and delay, my friend got weaker and weaker until he could no longer fight the battle and he succumbed to the virus. We are beyond heartbroke by this and I only hope that no one else will have to go through the craziness his partner and those of us who cared about him had to go through.
May their memoies be beautiful blessings to all who knew and loved them.
Gayle-Columbus, OH
Elana says
Gayle, that is absolutely tragic. My heart goes out to you, I’m so sorry.
Susan says
Elena, It is so sad to hear of your tragic losses. Many blessings to you and your friends and family
Elana says
Susan, thanks for your sweet words during this bitter time.
Mary Carbone says
Elana, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. We too have lost loved ones and have relatives and friends working on the front lines. I am proud of our President and his administration and the hard work they do pulling in and listening to experts and working to help the hardest hit areas. NY and NJ were woefully underprepared and failed to take the virus seriously in the beginning yet this administration has worked to help them. No matter who was in the white house people would complain about the response. As a nurse, I refuse to complain about this administration-they need and deserve our support to.
Elana says
Mary, thanks for your comment. I am taking a patriotic stance as I have with every administration and looking at how to save lives and improve.
Laurena Lake says
…precious friend…
Our hearts grieve with you and for you during this “Worst of times” season when being WITH loved ones is being discouraged for all of our safety and losing loved ones seems so very surreal in the on going MESS that is COVID19. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ♥️♥️
Elana says
Laurena, thank you for being a friend and for your super sweet and supportive words. Sending you hugs.
Heidi Heeren says
Elana
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss and pain. I will pray for your family and friends. This is the most of uncertain times and we need to pray that those who can help us, will make better leadership decisions to support those in need.
Love ♥️
Heidi
Elana says
Heidi, yes we need to pray that those in charge will make the right decisions –the ones that will save lives. Sending you love.
Rivka says
Sorry for your losses. I hear your pain, and your anger. Many of us feel what you feel.
Thank you for your beautiful words.
Elana says
Rivka, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words.
Rosemarie Russell says
Thank you for sharing this. I am saddened by your losses. When I must leave my home to buy groceries or for banking I see fear and anxiety wherever I go. We will be changed forever by this pandemic and the changes will be far reaching.
Elana says
Rosemarie, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Megan Read says
I am so sorry for your loss. I couldn’t agree more with your horror and frustration regarding the way things have been handled at the national level. We can do so much better.
May the rest of your family remain healthy and find some peace in the weeks and months to come.
Elana says
Megan, thank you so much for your kind, sensitive, and understanding words.
Rona Morris says
Elena,
I am so sorry for your loss. May the good memories you have bring you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Elana says
Thanks Rona.