As the coronavirus spreads, it seems to monopolize every screen and most news. While it is a serious thing, perhaps it is time to spread some lighter, more uplifting news.
Part time Clay County resident Mary Walsh shared the sentiments of several people. “The best thing I have experienced since this started is a change in people and what is important to them,” Walsh said. “It's not the material things, it's family and friends. We're seeing more people checking on each other, communicating more and getting outside with kids and enjoy- ing the time together. Also, people are praying more.”
In Scaly Mountain, N.C., Robert Mason shared a photo of his little girl who convinced her father to buy all of the toilet paper at their local Dollar General so she could give it away. After he bought it, she stood outside the store giving packs to people who needed it.
Here are several examples of caring and kindness:
• From Andrea Bowman, “It is so wonderful to see the school buses out feeding all the children. Such a blessing to make sure no one goes hungry.” Clay County Schools nutrition staff and others cook breakfast and lunch every day for any Clay County child age one to 18. These free meals are delivered by school buses, school resource officers or picked up by families at school.
• Walsh said that is happening near her other home, too. “The school staff in our area of north Florida are making sure all kids continue to receive meals as this may be the only meal they have each day. The staff, as well as administration staff, are preparing the meals and delivering them to the students.” Walsh said a local restaurant said it would provide food to students the first day the school closure announcement was made.
• Kelly Teague is reminded of her childhood. “When I went on my deck, there where children playing and laughing out in their yards,” she said. “It is something I haven’t heard in years. Children are playing and being kids.”
• Also, in the spirit of fun, Clay County Schools has posted some cute Facebook videos, including one of some grade seven teachers doing a rap song while holding cans of Lysol.
• The Girl Scout troop of Murphy leader Sandy Hoffer voted to donate five cases of Girl Scout cookies to the food pantry. She plans to de- liver the 60 boxes of cookies today.
• When Maddie Helton and Mason Alexander went through the Murphy Zaxby’s drive through last week, the person in front of them paid for their meals. They followed suit by paying for the car behind them and were told it had been going four cars before theirs, so it lasted at least through six customers.
Some large companies have also gotten in on the act. Over the weekend, Harbor Freight Tools announced plans to donate its entire supply of N95 masks, face shields and nitrile gloves to frontline hospitals with 24-hour emergency rooms in communities served by its stores.
Not only are several retail merchants like CVS, Dollar General, Ingles and Walmart hiring thou- sands of people to accommodate the extra workload, most are cutting store hours and offering special hours for senior citizens.
On Monday, March 16, Dollar General announced the first hour of each day will be for senior citizens to shop. Store hours vary by location. Ingles began closing at 9 p.m. In addition, from 7-8 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday, shopping is reserved for seniors, first responders and people with compromised immune systems.
Walgreens is also open from 8-9 a.m. every Tuesday, exclusively for people 55 and over to shop. Many items are available to order online with free shipping and some are available to be picked up as drive through service.
Walmart began hour-long senior shopping March 24, which will last until at least April 28. Every Tuesday, customers 60 and older may shop for one hour before the store opens. This includes pharmacies and vision centers.
Look around. It maybe therapeutic to pay attention to the good things happening. As Walsh said, “I hope when this is over, we keep that spirit.”