I think the backbone of America is stronger than we may think. We can fly people to outer space, survive economic hardships, and continue to support our friends, family, and communities in difficult times. Yes, we can survive and overcome COVID-19.
When I was a child, fighting polio was a huge challenge and seemed to primarily attack children. In the early days, it was thought to be spread via water including swimming pools so guess what I did not get to do in the summer?
It was, like today, a scary time, when no one knew what caused polio or how it spread. Polio patients survived with limited resources including the tortuous iron lung, an airtight coffin shaped box that was a tank ventilator. Severe poliomyelitis resulted in paralysis, often permanent. One of our family’s friends was a young man whose hands were so paralyzed, he could not hold a glass so for meals in our house he used a stemmed wine glass instead, lived in a wheel chair, and slept in an iron lung every night.
Another family friend was paralyzed on the left side of her face including partial paralysis of her left eye. She is still alive today in her 70s, but the effects of polio were permanent. As a child, I lived with these very obvious examples of how polio could harm people and permanently change their lives.
When Jonas Salk’s vaccine arrived in 1953, elementary children were required to be vaccinated in our school. We stood in line for the school nurse to poke us in an arm. We knew the vaccine could save us, so even though scared young children, it was expected of us and we complied.
Over the years, polio has been eliminated in the USA thanks to a vaccine. It took many years, government mandates, and lots of hope to find out if this vaccine was enduring. What was considered in the 1950’s a terrifying unknown health issue was brought under control.
Thankfully, today we have many scientific and medical entities working on cures, vaccines, and treatment for COVID-19. We have many hopeful signs that this medical issue can also be overcome.
Yes, too many people are without jobs or financial support to endure these hard days. Yet, our grandparents and parents lived through depressions and equally harsh times.
Just think about living in America during World War II when auto tires, gas, tin, coffee, and much more were rationed for many years. Our country survived without these resources while fighting abroad to protect the world. Our country has a long heritage of survival.
I do not dismiss the day to day survival challenges of anyone, but I do want to add a bit of hope. Covid has only been present for three months in Colorado, nothing like the sacrifices made during WWII lasting many years.
Let us be strong in these tough days and dig down deep into our survival skills, practice patience, endurance, and respect. As Joe Sullivan, my father-in-law would often tell us, “We are made of the stronger stuff.” I sure hope so.
By KAYE SULLIVAN | Special to the Herald Times
