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Adults Should Lead

Lisa Cook
Posted 10/27/20

To the Editor:

I thank Justin for the article on the front page of the last newspaper regarding Halloween.  Children do deserve to observe holidays and special events and times in their …

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Adults Should Lead

Posted

To the Editor:

I thank Justin for the article on the front page of the last newspaper regarding Halloween.  Children do deserve to observe holidays and special events and times in their lives.  But as a member of the Golden Study Club, I applaud them for cancelling this years annual Halloween parade that has been part of this community for almost 70 years.  Their decision was in the best interest of keeping this community safe and healthy.

 On Wednesday this week the  Boonville Newspaper  included  an article about community spread in Pilot Grove associated with a local rodeo event.   They saw an uptick in virus cases and deaths post rodeo.  People that didn’t even attend got covid, because it spread in the community; at the gas station, store, or church perhaps.

I belong to three local organizations, two of them are meeting in person as long as school is in session and the covid numbers remain manageable.  I felt it was my civic duty to pick one of the clubs to attend, because I don’t want to be part of the problem, I want to be part of the solution.  I don’t want to go from club to club, perhaps unknowingly spreading the virus.   It’s important to me to follow the science and do my part to wear a mask and social distance.  Am I totally perfect, no, or I wouldn’t even be attending one club meeting.   I’m trying to respect others while still doing my part to slow virus spread. 

I want to make sure your readers  know that it’s just not our children that are affected.   It’s criminal what is happening to our elderly.   My dad has been locked down at The Lodge since the middle of March to keep him and the other residents safe.   I visit him through a window.  It’s heartbreaking.  He just wants to be with his family or go for a drive.  We Zoom with extended family and we facetime.  But I want to hug my 88 year old dad.  I want his almost three year old great grandson to be able to hug him.  There is no end in sight.  What will happen on Thanksgiving and Christmas?   My extended family have cancelled the family get togethers for the holidays since we travel in from different parts of Missouri and Oklahoma.  So on Thanksgiving, unless a miracle happens, I will have my brother come to Fayette, and we’ll go stand on the porch at the Lodge and wish dad happy Thanksgiving.  And I will be heartbroken, for me, for my family, and especially for my dad.  I’m sad that our federal and state governments have let this pandemic rage across our great country far too long. We lead the world in all the wrong ways now in terms of protecting our citizens. 

What is the solution?  What can each of us do to make the best life possible for young and old alike? The resiliency of youth allows them to more easily adapt to changes in routine and expectations.  Our seniors face far greater challenges from day to day, and many have far fewer supports and resources to cope successfully. It will be up to us to stand up for them. 

Lisa Cook

Fayette

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