EDITORIAL/OPINION

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Still, Easter and Passover Are Here for Us

As Palm Sunday passed with no churchgoers or services, there remained the blessed palms, symbolic of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in the days before his trial and crucifixion. At the steps of several churches, we could grab — alone, together — pieces of palm in this extraordinary time of the COVID-19 pandemic. A bit sad, but something to hold.

For many, this Lenten season feels like the longest ever. One church jokingly posted: “I wanted to give up something for Lent, but I didn’t want to give up everything.”

As we turn inward, whether spiritually or not, the path through this contagion moves between inconvenient and deadly. We watch press conferences. We see the signs of our times. It is like nothing we have experienced. It is our time to keep the faith, as it were, among our fellow Americans: staying home, wearing masks and gloves, socially distancing.

Still, Easter Sunday will come — whether we worship and celebrate in church or not. The sign of the risen Christ, conquering death, remains a wondrous symbol of eternal hope for many.

One day, this coronavirus will be contained, its fury diminished through science. On that day, we will feel reborn. Our civic lives will be resurrected — and perhaps our society will become stronger. Could we be so lucky?

The easy freedoms taken for granted will return. We will apprehend the feeling of the exodus in those ancient days and just may understand the meaning of another religious holiday, Passover. How ironic it seems that self-isolation and the cresting of the coronavirus are happening during these holy days.

The Jewish holiday of Passover, commemorating the exodus of the enslaved Hebrews from Egypt, begins at sundown on April 8. Travel restrictions and the need for social distancing will keep extended families from gathering for the ritual meal, the seder, at which the story of Moses leading his people to freedom is told, complete with commentary and song.

To maintain a semblance of this cherished tradition, some families will hold this year’s seder via Zoom or WhatsApp. Better than nothing? Yes, but not much better than eating a turkey TV dinner on Thanksgiving alone.

The holiday lasts for eight days (seven for Reform Jews), during which time matzoh is eaten instead of leavened bread, among other dietary directives. These minor sacrifices help those observing Passover reflect on the suffering of the Hebrews (and of others oppressed since then and in our own time) and on the privilege of freedom.

The current physical separation from family and communal life — and in some cases, tragically, the death of loved ones — has cast a shadow on this season of Easter, Passover and Ramadan. We can only hope that each of us finds meaning and consolation in this most somber of springs.

Thank You, Mayor Bowser

Check in on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s daily press conferences on the COVID-19 crisis and you will see a leader in full command of the situation, one who understands the medical, social, economic, bureaucratic and legislative needs (to name a few) that must be marshaled.

Heading an impressive team, the mayor is willing to stand with, and up to, anyone to carry out her mission of mitigating the pain and death of the virus for all. She has kept the public and the press up to date, communicating calmly and sensibly. She has been fair, firm and consistent. She is helping the entire city get through this oncein-a-lifetime emergency.

The Georgetowner thanks her for her leadership.

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CAG UPDATE

Life is certainly unpredictable, and the past few weeks have changed Georgetown and our individual lives more than anyone could have ever imagined.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown was moving along in February with exciting plans for the spring: a candidates forum in March for the Ward 2 D.C. Council position, a community meeting in April focusing on the oral histories of some of our most esteemed long-term residents, a Concert in the Park in May with a sponsors party in advance and our CAG Annual Meeting on May 12 at beautiful Dumbarton House.

Needless to say, these in-person events have been canceled, though we are hoping to reschedule as many as possible for later in the year.

We are pleased that CAG’s Public Safety Program is continuing to operate unabated through this difficult period. CAG’s security officer continues to patrol in our CAG car five nights a week. Block captains continue to inform their neighbors about criminal activity and provide feedback on specific concerns.

In addition, CAG continues to implement its camera program to help the Metropolitan Police Department monitor areas where criminals are likely to enter and exit Georgetown. BY CHERYL GRAY

Through all of these initiatives, CAG maintains close contact with MPD to promote community-oriented and strategic policing in Georgetown. The CAG Public Safety Program is 100-percent paid for by community donations. We appreciate our longtime supporters and welcome new ones at cagtown.org.

It is particularly important that community organizations work together to help out in this time of need. CAG recently joined with Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E to sponsor an online briefing for the community by MPD. We have helped the Georgetown Business Improvement District recruit volunteers to advise local businesses and assist them with filings for new federal assistance programs, and we are discussing ways to support other BID programs that will be vital for Georgetown businesses in the weeks and months ahead.

We continue to facilitate and monitor the Georgetown Forum to help residents communicate and inform each other. If you have ideas and suggestions, please do not hesitate to share them through the Forum or other means.

This is a difficult time, but we will get through it ... together.

Cheryl Gray is president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

Letters to the Editor

News When We Need It the Most

I wanted to write a note to The Georgetowner to let you know how appreciative I am of your continuing to publish during this very challenging time. You are the source of Georgetown news when we need it the most.

We love Georgetown because of the strong community of neighbors. Now we find ourselves having to be removed from our friends, community involvement and the bustling streets of our town. It has made me realize how important socializing is.

I am going to be bold and suggest that during these next months (and maybe ongoing) you consider offering a subscription for your door-to-door delivery. Most of us would be happy to support the staff, the publishing/printing and the delivery of the paper when revenue from advertising has got to be diminishing.

Just an idea! I love to see the paper slipped through my mail slot.

— Pamla H. Moore Former president, Citizens Association of Georgetown Board member, Georgetown Heritage

The Real Threat Was Overlooked

The irony of today’s current situation is that because this administration was so focused on building a border wall to keep Americans safe from our neighbors south of the border, the real threat was overlooked. COVID-19 has forced the country and the world to impose borders around ourselves to keep us appropriately socially distanced so that we can impede the spread of the virus.

After three weeks of telework and lockdown, we’ve grown weary of isolation from friends and colleagues, and we’re worrying about the walls that we’ll have to maintain between ourselves to keep transmission of this deadly virus in check. This is a real concern. The border wall is not.

— Danielle Dukowicz