A Message of Hope: We Will All Get Through This Together

During these most unprecedented times as a nation we are experiencing significant loss due to the coronavirus. From massive unemployment, social distancing, economic instability and finally thousands of our citizens dying from this disease. As a parent, I see the impact the virus has had on my children lives including periods of depression and sadness, the inability to attend school and see their friends and the discussions that things will never be the same as it was before. As a nation we have been tested so many times before, including world wars, pandemics, and terrorist attacks that the people of this great country will not cower in the face of this virus. I have seen the best of humanity rise up to help their fellow man. Health care providers running into the fight to help the people who need it most and some sacrificing their lives. Thousands of people volunteering in food lines to help support the tens of thousands of people who need food on a daily basis. All the people from the grocery clerk to the sanitation worker doing what they need to do to make this country continue to move forward.

As we begin to slowly climb out of the abyss that this virus created, our lives will slowly come back to a new normal. I don’t know what that new normal will be, but we will adapt. We will continue to love one another. We will continue to hold our loved ones close. I believe this virus will have an everlasting impression on humanity by blossoming love, compassion and support for each other. It has also helped us understand what are our priorities in life. Although the negative impact of this virus will be remembered for generations to come, the positive impacts should never be forgotten. Our country will become stronger, more resilient and be better prepared when the next event may come. Keep loving and supporting each other because that is the universal factor that will help all of us get through this together.

Michael J. Cawley, PharmD, RRT, CPFT, FCCM, has more than 25 years of experience practicing in the areas of medical, surgical, trauma, and burn intensive care as both a critical care clinical pharmacist and registered respiratory therapist.