The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
‘Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
I learned this song in kindergarten, and while the spirit of the song
still applies, the way we get together has changed. We used to dance
in a circle together, while singing the song. Today we Zoom, Skype or
FaceTime to help us connect to our friends, family and workplace.
We are living in uncharted waters, and very scary times, but we need to
power through the best that we can. The realities are stressful, and we have to
find time to take a breather. Even those told to shelter in place, (depends on the
rules of your city or town) can take a walk, as long as you socially distance
yourself from the person in front or behind you. The rule is to stay six feet apart.
We all need to be mindful, especially for the sake of our elders, and those
with medical issues, who are more vulnerable to COVID-19, heretofore I will call it IT.
No one wants to get IT, no one wants to give IT, so what can we do? I have seen
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) by health officials and some celebs which say,
If Sick Stay Home, If Not Sick Stay Home, with the hashtag #ALONE TOGETHER.
Other PSAs tell you to DO THE FIVE to help stop coronavirus:
1. HANDS Wash them often for 20 seconds
2 .ELBOW Cough into it
3. FACE Don’t touch it
4. FEET Stay more than 3-6ft apart
5. FEEL sick? Stay home, call your primary doctor
We all have to do our part. State and local governments are doing their best
to reduce contact of their citizens. In many areas restaurants, bars, gyms and other
non-essential businesses have been told to close. This is an unprecedented moment in
history, but we have to take this seriously. We will get through IT!
There is some good news within the context of IT. Mother Nature is getting a break of sorts.
Data obtained by the European Space Agency (ESA) gathered by the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite which tracks air pollution recorded a sharp decrease in emissions that coincides with the lockdowns in Italy and China. Earth Systems Professor at Stanford, Marshall
Burke stated that two months of pollution reduction “likely has saved the lives of 4,000 kids under 5 and 73,000 adults over 70 in China.
While the spread of Corona Virus is a top concern and a top priority, seeing the reduction in emissions indicates that people are taking steps to reduce their exposure. Another side story
is that the water in Venice, Italy is getting clearer, and dolphins have been spotted in the canals.
So now more than ever we need to take care of ourselves and take care of each other.
Seek out a walk in nature, take a forest bath, or a stroll by the water. Check on your neighbors and your loved ones. Be prudent, be calm, be mindful, so you don’t get IT! Right now the new norm is #ALONETOGETHER and if we follow that mantra the happier we will be.
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