Crisis Shows the Best, Worst of Humanity

To the Editor:
During this crucial time in our world’s history, we have seen the best and the worst of humanity. We see courage, compassion, dedication and determination.
We also see greed, selfishness, arrogance, and just plain stupidity. Opportunists, misinformation, scams, and hoarding. How sad and pathetic, that there are those who would take advantage of this “global crisis.”
We are all frightened and worried if this “virus” will strike one of our loved ones or ourselves. So many of us have loved ones who are putting their lives on the line in one way or another every day to make sure we have what we need.
We grieve for those who have lost their lives whether we knew them or not. Yet there are those who are callous and heartless. I read that someone, who is some sort of “celebrity” actually said, “They were on their last legs anyway.” How dare he say that. What if it had happened to his family? He’d be squealing. How can anyone feel that way? It tells us what kind of person he is.
Parents now have to “home school” their children. Some wonder where their next meal is coming from because they lost their jobs.
The homeless, where do they go? There are those who couldn’t care less, as long as they have what they need. The one thing I hope that comes out of this is that we develop a new appreciation for life. That we appreciate who and what we have, and treat each other with kindness; to have empathy; to feel for those who have lost a loved one.
When “this” is over, and we can get back to some order, we will need to have a National Day of Mourning and a Day of Gratitude, for those we have lost and for those who did what they had to do, to take care of the rest of us.
Some are more worried about the economy, than human life, and that this is still a “hoax.” Are they crazy or something?
Ignoring the stay-at-home order, no mask, because they think it doesn’t apply to them. I’m on my soapbox again. The stress is unbearable for some, yet they “carry on.” I hope the employers, when this is over, give their employees a well-deserved bonus, and time off, consider it  hazard pay, for putting their lives on the line; tell them how much they are appreciated, and treat them as such. We have never seen the likes of this in our recent history. We have had other “crises,” but nothing to this extent that encompassed the entire world.
It is up to all of us, not most, but all. Knock it off with the arrogance, thinking it doesn’t apply to them. That they’re better than the rest, perhaps, they should look into the eyes of a family who has suffered a loss, and tell them “I’ll do as I please,” then duck when they take a swing. It’s people like that, who are adding to the “crisis.” Don’t be one of them.