Life in Utah and across the globe continues to change in real-time. Reactions and adaptations to daily living in the new world of COVID-19 are coming at a rapid clip.
We encourage all to do their part to follow established guidelines relating to the pandemic. Citizens should stay informed and heed all official federal, state and local updates and requirements.
Each should strive to do whatever can be done to support neighbors, family members and the most vulnerable among us. Calmly carrying on with kindness and understanding in the midst of uncertainties is vital. That is the Utah model in action.
The late Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers to most Americans, gave his young viewers sage advice when dealing with difficult situations, such as what the world now confronts. He assured to his television friends in the friendliest neighborhood on earth, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news and my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
Utah’s response in the past week — declaring an emergency, suspending sporting events, limiting gatherings and the soft-closing schools — are positive steps to limit the spread of the virus. They have also created uncertainty for many, especially among children.
Looking for the helpers, helps. Becoming the helper helps more.
Chad Pritchard from a local Fat Daddy’s Pizzeria is one such helper. With the announcement of school closures throughout the state, Pritchard recognized the problem created for parents and kids relying on the school lunch program. Starting today, his restaurant will be feeding any school aged child that needs lunch for free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those who are need of this help, and those who would like to help financially or otherwise, can email chad@fatdaddyspizzeria.com.
Nationally and internationally educators are scrambling to find capacity for online learning, meetings and classes. Zoom is a technology platform for online meetings and digital connections. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan announced in an email, ”Given that many K-12 schools are starting closing, we decided to offer Zoom access to all K-12 schools in the country starting tomorrow.” Countless students will be helped through this technical connection help.
On Friday in the Rose Garden at the White House, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, the government’s coronavirus team and business leaders announced public-private partnerships to help take on the pandemic throughout the country. When private businesses, government agencies and citizens put the good of the country first, it helps.
Ironically, our hyper-connected world of technology has produced isolation and distance for many. Looking for helpers begins by first looking in the mirror. Staying connected while isolating or social distancing is paramount.
Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky of the B’nai David-Judea congregation in Los Angeles recently issued a worthy call to action: “Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another must become a thought as to how we might help that other, should the need arise.”
In a time of challenge and uncertainty, all should look for and acknowledge the helpers. More importantly, everyone, in whatever way is possible, should be those helpers.