Living in the Time of Covid-19
This is a recurring column that focuses on community service written by La Grange community Lions.
Lionism is alive and well in La Grange, Texas . . . here on the banks of the lazy Colorado river. . . where life is grand! Like most everyone else, we have had to adapt and change, something that comes hard for many, yet we have not been stopped. Last week we made a $3,000 contribution to AMEN pantry. Our young LEOs at the middle and high schools are making cards for Meals on Wheels recipients and nursing home residents. And the LEO can drive collected 146 pounds of canned goods for AMEN Pantry. Soon, construction will begin on the shade structure over the playground at the Fayette Public Library. Our Noon Lions Club received 45 scholarship applications from La Grange High School seniors. The scholarship committee has reviewed the applications and selected twelve bright young students to receive a $750 scholarship for the fall. Board meetings will resume on May 12, via conference call, which we think may actually increase participation. And we are conducting meetings on Facebook Live each Thursday at our regular time.
About the only thing we are not doing is enjoying the weekly social interaction that comes with Lions sharing Lionism over lunch each week. A lot is still happening and La Grange Lions continue to serve in a capacity that keeps us all safe and engaged.
Several people have asked when I think we will get back to normal. At this point I think we are getting close to a “new normal.” I don’t see us getting back to a carefree environment until we have a vaccine, widespread virus testing, and antibody testing. While there are numerous promising trials underway, we are unfortunately probably ten months away from completing trials that will allow worldwide dissemination. For some time, we will have to rely on social distancing which will continue to impact our ability as a club to have our standard meetings.
Social distancing is demonstrating a high degree of success. However, some estimates suggest that as many as half of those infected display no signs of the virus. If true, we have far more of our fellow Americans infected than the data is showing. Accordingly, it is really important that we all do our part to wear gloves AND masks (at least a face covering) any time we are in public. If a mask is good for protecting health care workers, then it is good for protecting you and your family members. Mask up, glove up, and wash your hands frequently any time you are in public, for your sake and mine. If nothing else it tells me you are serious about your responsibility to be safe.
There is a lot of conspiracy thinking being propagated across social media. At this point in time, blame distribution is not at all healthy, especially politically-motivated misinformation. There have been warnings of pandemic chaos for many years, and we have all been complicit in the actions or inactions that have transpired, through our own activism (or lack thereof) and voting preferences over numerous election cycles. There will be plenty of time in September and October as we approach the election to cast aspersions on who did or didn’t do what and when.
Right now, the whole world needs to be singularly focused on how to best handle this pandemic. For now, I wish folks will take action on things they can affect for the greater good and minimize the proliferation of misinformation and partisanship (on both sides of the aisle.) Any time you are going to post something publicly, just ask yourself, “Is this really going to advance the greater good or am I just furthering my own political views to fan the flames of like-minded thinkers?”
Just about everyone is focused at some level on the physical health aspects associated with the pandemic. Please be thoughtful of the toll this may also be taking on the mental health of yourself and others. People need social interaction, and social media is not a substitute. In fact, numerous studies have shown the negative impact to mental and physical health with too much screen time. The World Health Organization recommends limiting screen time to two hours a day, less for children and teens. Beyond screen time, watch less news and fewer opinion shows, check in on your friends, call loved ones in assisted living and nursing facilities and be especially vigilant and supportive to those living alone.
I believe we are now entering a state of “new normal” that will persevere for several months. We will manage this challenge. We will develop vaccines and testing to help us navigate this and subsequent virus pandemics. We will be better prepared, just like the post-911 era, for the next wave of pandemic attacks. We will find new solutions and better ways to do things, like online post-secondary education and contactless retail. We will learn to reach out and comfort others that are affected by tragedy. For sure some of us will look back on this period with grief, yet most of us will someday look back on this period with reverence, with understanding and maybe even some comedy.
As we close in on a transition to the next group of Lion leadership, our incoming President Lion David Wagner is already looking to complete a service project in our community every month. He is calling the program Serve 12, acknowledging the Lions motto, “We Serve,” and committing the club to 12 service projects, one for every month of the coming year. If you have an idea for a service project that will help Lions serve La Grange, please reach out to a Lion (six feet away from you), and share your idea on how we can help in these challenging times.
The La Grange Noon Lions Club was founded in 1928 with a mission quite simply . . . To Serve. If you are interested in learning more about how we serve our community or are interested in becoming a member of the club, contact Lion Sam Wilson at sam@offln.com.