To wear a mask or not to wear a mask?
Actually, that’s not the question. Not for me, at least.
We’re in a time of unknowns and what-ifs.
School openings seem to change daily, events that once brought communities together have been canceled and national news is disheartening.
But whether you believe schools should open Aug. 1, Sept. 1 or Oct. 1; whether you believe masks should be worn in every public setting or not at all; whether you’re a small business owner or a consumer; employed, self-employed or unemployed; no matter your situation as a unique individual, this is an unprecedented time.
My question is, have you displayed unprecedented kindness?
In the beginning months of the coronavirus and business shutdowns, I witnessed our local community pull together to support businesses, our neighbors, and workers experiencing layoffs.
We cared for one another and shared ideas about how to keep our rural area alive.
The communication, strength, and love for our rural slice of southeast Kansas was stunning.
Over the past month, however, there seems to have been a shift in the wind.
I watch it spread like wildfire on social media daily and in front of my eyes all too often.
What happened to the community that despite our differences showed love, support, and respect for one another two short months ago?
No matter what you believe our government should or shouldn’t do, what businesses should do, or what consumers should do, the fact of the matter is: we are all still in this together.
We are still a community that needs each other. We are all still imperfectly human.
Our sense of community defines humanity.
