A few days ago, I stood in my backyard and watched that great white beacon of hope slowly pull out of the Chesapeake Bay and make its way to support the city of New York. People stopped what they were doing to get a gaze, some watched through binoculars. There is doubt many people around the world have welcomed a similar site with awe ... as the USNS Comfort came calling, bringing with it thousands of sailors to save lives from these shores of Hampton Roads.
There could be no greater symbol stating that - Virginians, New Yorkers, all Americans - we are in this fight against an invisible foe, and we are in it together. That through these hard times we will endure, as we and those who have come before us have endured before. We will be revived as a nation, and we will prosper once more.
We were slow to get started. Local, state, and federal agencies and leaders could have used the time bought from the President’s travel ban a bit more wisely. But hindsight is 20/20 - no politician has the high ground here. Mistakes and lack of clarity of this threat did not fall down party lines. Even academics and epidemiological experts, just a few weeks ago, were all over the map without a firm consensus on best practices.
China’s misinformation to the World Health Organization, who then pushed it out as fact - cost the world precious response time. And despite the dangers of this virus becoming clear late last year in China, the WHO (using information out of Bejing), tweeted in mid-January that there was no evidence of human-to-human spread by this virus. Of course, that could not be further from the truth.
This unfortunate reality & this this unpredictable virus has exposed some of our own weaknesses, like supply chain problems and the slowness to coordinate between all levels of government. We must learn from our mistakes, but now is not the time for a partisan panel. Now is the time to protect the health of our people, the health of our economy, and the health or our country.
Historically, our nation has started slow during national crisis. But eventually, this sleeping giant is awoken. One of the things about America is that our people come together - our private sector steps up to help the public and their adaptability, ingenuity, and determination always save the day.
Just consider some examples here locally...
- London Bridge Trading Company in Virginia Beach - where talented tactical equipment sewers quickly shifted their efforts to instead making much-needed masks for our healthcare personnel
- 757 Makerspace group on Facebook - where folks have come together as a community group to share ideas and use their 3D printers to produce protective gear
- Tidewater Community College - where they are sending life-saving equipment to support local hospitals
- Emma, a Virginia Beach teen from Kellam High School - who used her prom and spring break money to shop for her elderly neighbors
Make no mistake about it, there are dark days ahead and many issues that we will have to deal with as a people. We are all affected by this national crisis. Yes, I understand we are and will be affected, unevenly, but that is true in all parts of life. The majority of us will take a hit to our wealth, many will take a hit to their health, some will lose their lives.
But, with an unbeatable spirit running through our American bloodlines, and like that beacon of hope that set sail for New York city, unsung heroes all around this land will step up, trading comfort for hardship, and will join this fight. And just like our soldiers and sailors and marines have many times before them, our brave healthcare providers will fight this new enemy in front of them and they shall stiffen the spines of all Americans behind them.
We will get through this together.
