MEEKER | Nearly a year has gone by since COVID-19 became active in Colorado. Somehow, most of us have survived it, but not without much anguish and many adjustments. Ahead lies the hope that vaccines will provide a safety net. If somehow, there is enough vaccine for our country and our world, then we can return to the concept of “normal.”
I feel there are still many adjustments ahead. We will have to live with COVID just like we live with conditions like flu and AIDS. It won’t go away in 2021 and just like polio eradication, it may take many years to overcome the worldwide spread of COVID.
One of my relatives uses the phrase “come alongside you” to demonstrate their emotional support and empathy in times of trouble. When it comes to the future of COVID, I think we may have to re-tool our perspective. Instead of “getting over it” we will probably need to “come along aside it.”
We must continue to live with COVID for at least many months and likely longer. The roll out of vaccines is a huge step in surviving and managing this severe condition. This advance will also take time, resources, and money.
Thankfully, we are wiser and safer. We may have to keep wearing masks, baking bread, growing veggies, and social distancing for quite a while. We may need to get additional kinds of vaccines. Let’s learn from our successes and failures to make the future better.
As we have been doing throughout 2020, we need to survive despite COVID in 2021 and not live on hope that it will magically go away. Even in tiny, remote Meeker, Colorado, our population is as vulnerable as anywhere.
The great news is that we have already learned many lessons about how to move ahead successfully. Every month, we have learned more and more about what works and what doesn’t.
We’ve developed or adapted to technology resources that often make our lives easier. Now I can host a Zoom meeting anytime, anywhere. I can attend church virtually. Shopping online is easier than ever. I’m grateful for all those developments and new resources.
At the same time, we need to support our local businesses and community as best we can to keep our economy intact. Everyone has suffered in some way, but probably none more than our local restaurants who have adapted again and again while still providing carry-out options.
Of course, I miss in-person time with friends and family. A hug will never be replaced by a Zoom call. Family dinners with personal interactions and great food always mean a lot and we are all missing those personal connections.
We will get there by continuing to be patient and following safe practices. 2021 holds many hopes for moving forward as we survive COVID and come alongside it as part of our ongoing lives.
By KAYE SULLIVAN – Special to the Herald Times
