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.
John n says
Sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
Elana says
Thanks John.
Paula says
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Elana says
Thanks Paula.
Rhonda says
My sincere condolences to you and your family at this sorrowful time. May your memories of your precious loved one and your cherished friend bring you comfort.
Elana says
Rhonda, many, many thanks.
Dorothy says
I’m deeply sorry for your loss and grief. My prayers are with you. My family is just joining the fear as my nephew was just diagnosed.
Elana says
Dorothy, I’m so sorry to hear that. Our prayers to you and yours.
Peggy says
Daily ..I send rhythms into the Universe .. for healing .. support .. for whatever is needed. My frame drum is always ready .. know these healing rhythms are above .. reach and take what you need ..
Peggy
Elana says
Peggy, thank you for comforting me.
Amy says
Elana,
I am so very sorry for these terrible losses. I send you my best wishes for healing to you and your family.
Elana says
Thanks so much Amy.
jody says
These are, indeed, times that try men’s souls. Like you Elana, I look forward to a near future when consideration is more given to people than profits.
Wishing you and your family peace at this most painful time. Thank you for caring and sharing.
Elana says
Jody, couldn’t have said it better myself, people over profits. Thank you.
Elysa says
Hi Elana – I have loved your web site and blog for years. Thank you for putting such a fine point on the travesty that is our government today. The antics of the con artist in the white house have made me not only sad to be an American, but sad to be a human being as well. He is has been a daily embarrassment for us in front of the world. Now, while he was been busy being as un-presidential as one could possibly be (bullying people, tweeting ridiculous things and self-aggrandizing) this has happened. We were just leaving New Zealand when the US had 50 cases. By the time we got home, less that a week later, there were more than 25, 000 and the US was 100% unprepared…it was horrifying to watch our Buffoon in Chief being totally asleep at the wheel calling it a hoax, saying he had it totally under control and that there was no cause for concern. It is so hard to watch all of this happen knowing it did not have to and I am so sorry for your personal loses. Why this person continues to have such a high approval rate simply defies logic. I just hope that blogs like yours will begin to reach enough Americans at a ground level, that people will start to see the truth vs the propaganda. My blessings and heart go out to you and your family and my prayers go out for all for this to end quickly, despite our total lack of effective and competent leadership.
Elana says
Elysa, it absolutely defies logic. My prayers are with your prayers. Thank you.
Aztechan says
Elysa,
I agree with you wholeheartedly! I am so thankful you posted what you did. Thank you for having the courage to write this. I was waiting for someone to speak up.
Elana says
Thanks Aztechan.
Renee says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers
Elana says
Thank you Renee.
Mushla says
ברוך דיין האמת
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
“May their memories be a blessing”
May G-d wipe away the tears from all
mankind…
Elana says
Mushla, todah rabah.