Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Peak to Peak. One can look back on history and see that there have been a number of pandemics throughout the world. They are scary. They are stressful. They are confusing. They are deadly. 

In recent history we look at the influenza that spread around the world in 1918 – 1920. Millions and millions of people died. Did we learn anything? Yes, we learned that social distancing is necessary to slow the spread of the disease and easing up too early on public restrictions is dangerous. 

Even more recently was polio. My parents, both now in their seventies, were in elementary school in the early 1950s. They both remember adults having very serious conversations about the disease. There was a lot of fear.

My dad lived on a farm outside Waubay, South Dakota. He was eight years old and remembers going to the high school gym after church one Sunday so he and his three siblings could get the polio vaccine.  All the families of the area were there. The line was very long, but there was no question about getting the vaccine or not. Everyone on every farm and city in the United States knew that Dr. Jonas Salk was a hero and that this vaccine will save their children.  

Today we find ourselves in a situation that is not new to the world. It is interesting how history tends to repeat itself. And I wonder if we will learn from it?

Before the age of telephones and computers people were truly isolated from each other when told to stay home to stop the spread of a disease. We are fortunate enough to have some connection to people. No, it is not the same as meeting friends at a restaurant or hanging out at the library or going to a church service, but it is something. 

We are able to stay connected as a community. We are able to identify who needs help and help is given. That is a community wrapped in kindness. Principal Reckert at Nederland Elementary has started Story Time for the elementary school community in the evenings. That is a community of educators who miss their students and is finding a way to stay connected. That is a community wrapped in kindness. The first night the energy of the kids and teachers being able to see each other again, even if it was through a computer, was palpable. The excitement was felt through the smiles and shrieks of joy. 

The Nederland library has curb side delivery for materials. That is a community wrapped in kindness. All the places that are not going to cut off electricity or water if a bill isn’t paid during this time is a community wrapped in kindness. When you think of someone who may be feeling the struggles of loneliness and you give them a call that is community wrapped in kindness. 

In my daughter’s kindergarten class when someone is having a bad day or is sad the other kids make their hands into a heart shape and say that they are sending their love to them. Such a simple gesture that shows someone that they are loved and cared for. When you see someone from a distance or are ending a video chat do what Miss Meaghan has taught her kindergarten class. Make a heart with your hands and show that you care. That is a community wrapped in kindness. 

Let’s wrap each other in kindness until the day comes when we can wrap each other in hugs.