I was standing in my kitchen this afternoon putting together a snack for my youngest as I heard an excited proclamation. “Mom! I got in on my own! I remembered the capital letter!” She was referring to her afternoon Zoom meeting and how she meticulously entered her meeting ID and password. I gave her a high five before sneaking out of her room and closing the door behind me. Moments later I heard her singing happy birthday to her best friend over Zoom.
Kids are so resilient. But they shouldn’t have to be. Adults should be more accommodating to the needs of our kids, especially during a pandemic.
I grew up watching a lot of traumatic events unfold live on TV. I remember Columbine and the nightmares it caused for weeks, wondering if anyone at school would shoot me. Now our children are learning active shooter drills in their classrooms. I watched the second tower come down in first period, just a month into my freshman year of high school. No one ever asked if I was fine after that. These traumas have put me in constant survival mode, the whole “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” garbage. But I didn’t need that. I needed tenderness and compassion.
Our kids need tenderness and compassion. But where is that now? Especially in the time of a pandemic that is killing our loved ones daily. A pandemic that is breaking down our medical workers that we all cared about at first but now accuse them of being paid to add Covid to a death certificate. Or showing no empathy because Heaven forbid they complain about being exhausted and missing their families. We scream at grocery store clerks because they ask you to wear a mask inside the store. We attack strangers and call them sheep because they prefer to keep others safe by wearing a cloth over their face. We have politicized wearing a mask. When did we stop caring about the safety and well being of others?
We were asked to stay inside and flatten the curve, and now that it’s worse than before, we’re out doing whatever and getting together. Yes, I am guilty of letting my kids play baseball this fall. I was conflicted the entire six weeks even though it felt safe and boosted their mental and physical health. I’ve skipped my family functions this year because I want everyone to stay healthy.
But this should’ve been over by now. Why? Because we should’ve listened to the scientists that know better. We should’ve been kinder and cared about our family, friends, strangers. We could be getting together for the upcoming holiday instead of getting upset when someone suggests they won’t be attending.
Other places are getting it. New Zealand and Australia are back to normal, maskless and re-opened. They took it seriously and showed compassion to others. Why can’t we do that here?
Do better. Stay home. Wear your damn mask if you have to go out. This could’ve been over by now. So many deaths could’ve been prevented instead of dying alone via FaceTime.
The kids might be resilient, but they’re watching our actions, hearing our words and learning from how we’re handling this. And they’re celebrating events and milestones over Zoom because we can’t get it together.
