EDITOR'S NOTE: Often, notes come to the Cedar Key News that seem appropriate to share with the entire community. One follows. Should you have such a note, you are welcome to forward it to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please, include name, address, and phone number; your information will not be published unltess you wiish it so.
Avoid the Consequence
A sad consequence of the coronavirus crisis is: We may never view our friends and neighbors the same way again. With the onset of this global epidemic, each of them has become suspect. A potential carrier of illness. We keep our distance. We want to shake hands but avoid it. We make guarded make eye contact as we pass each other. We exchange a hesitant greeting. We are unfamiliar with social separation. These are the same friends and neighbors whose company we enjoyed a few short weeks ago. Yet today, we are wary of each other.
A few short weeks ago, we would have grabbed any old shopping cart from the corral at the market.
A few short weeks ago, we would have joined parishioners in song and prayer on Sunday morning.
A few short weeks ago, we would have shopped at the market for the items required.
A few short weeks ago, we joined friends and neighbors, sharing a meal, talking, laughing.
We’re told that our lives will be forever changed by coronavirus. The economy may face a daunting recovery. Jobs might not reappear for certain of us. We may wrestle with this ruthless illness within our family or circle of acquaintances. We must not let a pandemic wreak havoc on the social fabric of our society. We need to reach out. We should preserve our relationships with friends and neighbors.
The time to begin is now. Pick up the phone. Send a handwritten note. Fire off an email. Zoom, Skype, Facetime, Chat. Re-kindle the dialog. Stimulate the conversation. Engage. Debate. Laugh. Share. Respond. When this crisis passes, we’ll welcome the comfort and support of our friends and neighbors more than ever.