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.
Elizabeth Helgans says
Sorry for your loss Elana. It is a deep and painful loss. I lost my 74 yr old mother April 9 to Covid. She died alone in her Dementia care facility in Denver. Although I had been slowly losing her for years, this was an unimaginable blow as she died without me by her side. It is also unimaginable to me that the United States of America’s doesn’t have enough testing or PPE to get us through this disaster. In solidarity with you as I grieve. May you find peace with your loss as I struggle also to find mine.
Elana says
Elizabeth, I am so very sorry to hear of this unimaginable loss you have suffered. Sending you hugs during this terribly difficult time.
Marilyn Lake Lee says
Elana, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your family and friends to Covid-19. Thank you Barbara, I agree with everything you said. And thank you, Elana for standing up and speaking the truth of what is going on. I agree with you about Korea. Here in Canada, we are slowly seeing the curve flatten, with following the rules from our scientists and health professionals that are aligned with the leaders of all 10 provinces. Not since the last war has this country pulled all together. Our messed up health care systems for the elderly have many disease prevention defects that are downright criminal. One positive result from this Covid-19 tragedy will be better health care for senior care facilities. And better storage of personal protection gear for front line medical personnel. We have an immediate need for massive testing. Only then, will it be safe to open up for regular life. Otherwise its second and third wave time, like 102 years ago. Huuuugs, you unite us all with your heart and kitchen. Thank you for your bravery.
Elana says
Marilyn, what a wonderfully sweet comment. Thank you for your brave honesty and desire to improve your country. We could use a little more of that in ours, nothing wrong with admitting mistakes so that we can save lives. Thank you for being with me in both heart and kitchen.
Mira says
I am so sorry for your loss! I thank you for your words at this time and pray you and your family remain safe and stay well. Blessings upon you and your family.
Elana says
Thanks so very much Mira.
Deborah says
Elana, please accept my condolences. I am sorry to hear of your loss, I hope God blesses you and your family to stay healthy and safe. Please ignore some of the mean emails, their not important. I enjoy your books and blogs, thank you! Happy Peseach!
Deborah
Elana says
Deborah, thanks for your condolences and kind words of support. Happy Pesach to you and yours.
Karen says
I am so sorry to hear about the losses you have suffered through this pandemic. So many lives cut short. My heart is with you and all of those who have lost loved ones. I pray that as we move forward, a collective focus will be on how to be a more prepared, empathetic, and compassionate world.
Elana says
Karen, I love that. A more prepared, empathetic compassionate world sounds perfect right now.
Ana says
Dear Elana, i’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you find sparks of light in this challenging times. I live in Germany, and uou’ve been always a welcomed guest in my inbox, and now even more than ever. I’ve been following pandemics in news from January and focusing on contries responses, and I couldn’t agree with you more. At the begging Germany was also neglectin the situation a bit but luckily they reacted. It is a brave move to be this honest, and personaly I respect you even more.
Sending you support and stay healthy
Elana says
Ana, thanks for writing from Germany. I so appreciate your support. Stay safe.
Sarah says
I am so sorry for your losses.
Thank you for your bravery in sharing your story and stating facts. I don’t normally comment on blogs etc but I wanted to counteract the negative feedback you have been given. I believe most people are able to see that the poor response of the American government has had unnecessary, tragic consequences. Clearly there are other countries who have handled it better and suffered less loss of life. I don’t believe you were being political in your post, just expressing justified anger at the poor management of the pandemic.
Elana says
Sarah, thanks so much for your kind and caring words of support, they mean the world to me.
Emily says
Elana – I’m so sorry for yours and the thousands of losses around the world. Thank you for bravely sharing of yourself. The shocking behavior that has been at the helm of our nation while under we’re under siege is so disheartening. I just look to the light of change that can brought brought in November.
Elana says
Thanks so much Emily.
Martha says
Dear Elana, I was looking for a receipe, I love your blog and have your books, when I was confronted with your loss and truly schocked. Thats the situation we are in… its totally unknown, inpredictible, I am so sorry for your loss!!!
We are now in the 6th week of confinement here in France, the situation seams to start to stabilize, but no way thinking it is over, it may all just happen again. But I still beleive that each of us can do a max for his own health, eat healthy, take some vitamin supplements, take spices such as ginger and curcuma. Avoid the crowds , keep distance, wash hands. But please do not panick. There is always the opposite of the dark side. As you said it is time for reflection. The good side of crisis is to see solidarity, creativity and care between people. It is probably time to radically change and go back to a simpler lifestyle… Nature seems to love the crisis, no cars, less pollutions, birds are singing like crazy!!
With much love and support from France, take care!
Elana says
Martha, thanks for your warm wishes from France. We are doing the same –lots of garlic, turmeric, and ginger in tea and the food we make. Take care and stay safe.
Mimi says
Elana, so sorry for your loss. And, bravo, for your essay. It IS being a great American to question whether we, as citizens, are being appropriately protected. Thank you.
Elana says
Thanks Mimi.