Earlier this week, I wrote in a commentary about the national media coverage of the coronavirus that, “It’s beginning to feel like some of the coverage is overwrought.”
That seems like such a long time ago now. I wish I had not been so flippant.
The stock market’s continued plunge, the mass cancellation of events and entire sports schedules, school closings, the identification of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, work-from-home, terms such as “containment area” and “quarantine” all together form a fog of anxiety that has settled over much of the country.
We’re hearing health officials talk about “flattening the curve,” meaning just try to slow the spread of the virus so that the health systems can handle the patients more gradually and not get overwhelmed.
That is what West Virginia is trying to do.
Colleges are extending spring break and switching to online instruction, the Secondary School Activities Commission suspended the girls state high school basketball tournament after yesterday’s morning session. The boy’s tournament next week is also on hold. The Governor has suspended all state employee travel.
These moves and others represent best practices to try to prevent the disease from spreading rapidly. Health officials say with grim confidence that there will be infections here; it’s just a matter of time. But fortunately in that time provided, state and local officials have been making good decisions.
These decisions have significant ramifications… too many to mention, but we’re all feeling it.
I don’t even want to think about the financial implications of the cancellation of events, the reluctance of people to gather in crowds, general consumer trepidation that accompanies uncertainty.
It was heartbreaking to hear Parkersburg Catholic girls coach Marty Vierheller choke up during a radio interview after playing in the final game of the tournament yesterday before the suspension. His team is a perfect 26-0, but the Crusaderettes will be denied, at least for the time being, of reaching their goal of a state championship.
However, Vierheller also said in that same interview that while severely disappointed for his team, what’s important now is the health and safety of people.
That is what’s paramount.
But through adversity, disappointment, loss and frustration comes opportunity to be guided by, as Abraham Lincoln said, “The better angels of our nature.” This is when true leaders make decisions motivated by an overwhelming sense of what is right and not what is politically expedient.
And though we value, protect and celebrate individualism, this is also a time when we realize that we have a much better chance of getting through a difficult period with the least damage when we consider the greater good created by responsible actions.