A VIRUS JOURNAL March 30
A VIRUS JOURNAL
A COMMUNITY'S THOUGHTS - CONCORDIA, KS
March 30, 2020
The Blade-Empire is publishing this community journal as an ongoing record of the thoughts of our citizens as we embark on this journey through the coronavirus crisis.
When the pandemic is over, the Blade-Empire will publish the journal as a book. The thoughts of Concordians will become a time capsule and historical record for future generations to remember.
CORONAVIRUS TOLL
Worldwide: Cases-743,997 Deaths-35,350
Kansas: Cases-320 Deaths-6
On Saturday March 29, Governor Laura Kelly issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state, requiring most Kansas residents to stay home until April 19.
Anonymous: I want to know who's got all the toilet paper!
Tammy: When I watch a movie and it gets too intense or too boring I just fast forward the remote. I know I shouldn’t, but I will read the last chapter of the book if I need to know how the story ends. That’s how I see life right now…in a bad part of the movie or book. I want to just fast forward through this part, and I definitely want to read the ending now, so I know when it ends.
As we reflect on 2020 it is my wish and prayer that we all find something that was a blessing in this most turbulent time; more downtime, more meditation, more family time, more creative ways to communicate, and most importantly more ways to show each other how much we care.
Life is full of surprises; some pleasant and some not, but I have learned that blessings are found in almost every situation. First thing every morning I Identify and count my blessings daily.
FAITH not fear is a quote that has been hanging on my wall for several years. I read it often, but I am now living that quote.
Keep the Faith!
An employee in the health care field: Not being able to go home for fear you'll spread it to your family...
Jennifer Kindel LBSW, a social worker: I am worried about families and children. COVID-19 is putting stress on families financially, has children home from school with no childcare while parents work, has parents suddenly thrust into the role of teachers, and has people in general experiencing anxiety. This is the perfect storm for domestic violence and child abuse. Children do not have the safe adults at school to confide in right now that could get them help, so as a society we must have our eyes open and be aware of our neighbors. If you suspect a child is being harmed, you still should report it -- pandemic or no pandemic!
Grandparents in their 80s: We haven’t seen our grandchildren because they have been practicing “safe distancing” just in case they picked up the COVID-19 on their spring break travels. (Boston, South Bend, Florida, El Salvador). We stepped outside yesterday to enjoy the nice weather and saw our driveway decorated with “chalk art”. What an uplift during the quarantine.
Stay safe.
A K-State student: How has the Covid-19 pandemic been effecting students and those attending college? First of all, I can guarantee two things. The first week using all new programs, online resources and video conferencing for classes has been a massive learning curve for students like me. However, professors have been just as challenged with setting up and learning how to run the new programs that it was hard not to hear the frustration in some of their voices when seeing them via webcam for the first time in two weeks. This was all of course several days ago now. While the occasional technical difficulty has come and gone, it feels like everyone is finally getting use to this new means of learning.
The most common program my university is utilizing is a online webcam forum called ZOOM. It can hold up to I believe 80 occupants and it has a rather reliable service so far. The hardest part of college entirely on-line is starting to be maintaining a constant schedule. Without work narrowing the time to focus on classes and thus keeping your time structured, the many additional hours make it harder to keep a constant time frame for when assignments need completed and turned in. There is also the issue of going stir crazy at home, but that is an issue everyone is facing now these days.
Bruce and Lois Tracy: We've always been proud of our Hometown: Concordia!
Even more so during this time of depending on each other....for every little thing.
Each small business is a Giant Business to us...because they are Heroes.
The Government leaders in our County, Town are leading together. They have been put into place for such a time as this.
USD #333 regrouping and leading with innovations for education, meals and guidance.
Senior Citizens being served, Resource Center working tirelessly to meet needs.
Chamber of Commerce being our Cheerleader!
The Blade and KNCK always keeping us updated...fixtures in the community I have had in my life for over 50 years!
I could list so many community partners that support us all
What this crisis has brought to light is the importance of relationships: God, Family, Friends, far and near.
Couldn't be prouder of being from Cloud County KS
Please email your thoughts to russell@nckcn.com. In the Subject Line type "Journal Entry'
Or you may write down your thoughts and mail them to:
Blade-Empire
Journal Entry
510 Washington Street
Concordia, KS 66901
Please email photographs of you, your family and friends coping with the crisis. Humor is always appreciated. Email the photos to russell@nckcn.com