UNTITLED

Francesca Marino

7th Grade • Immaculate Conception / St. Joseph School

Community, family, and God are imperative in any crisis. One crisis that the world is experiencing right now is the coronavirus outbreak. According to worldometers.info, there are 1,687,857 confirmed cases over the world. However, if we all work together, and keep our God in mind, we will survive this major crisis.

For the community, this is a chance to come together and show our strength in numbers. In an effort to keep our friends, family, and neighbors safe, especially the elderly, people will follow the social distance guidelines. For example, as we walk along the street, we could be conscious of the other people and walk on the other side. Another way is by wearing a face mask when out in public. Ashwin Vasan says, “By distancing yourself, you're contributing to a societal act — a collective action — that is not only protecting yourself, but protecting others....” This shows that this global crisis brings us all together to work for the common good and to be considerate of what we are doing. A single person's actions can have a ripple effect on a town and even a city. Lastly, we can come together and discuss ways on how we can help slow down the virus, “flatten the curve”, and how a single person can help change the world. Although we have to stay away from each other physically, we can still connect in other ways. My family and I have made face masks for friends, reached out to people on FaceTime and Zoom, and stayed inside.These actions, as simple as they may sound, can

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really make a difference in the lives of others. Even washing our hands, throughout the day, will help to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus. One of the things that has come out of this time is that we are closer as a family. For the first time since the early 19th century, many parents and kids are all under the same roof round-the-clock. This enforced togetherness could deepen our relationships for years to come. Enduring this hardship together builds stronger connections. Having stronger connections with family is important because it makes children feel secure and loved. Positive communication is about making the time to listen to each other, without judgment, and being open to expressing your own thoughts and feelings. When you have positive communication in your family, it helps everybody feel understood, respected and valued, and this strengthens your relationships.

I believe that God is all around us. He watches us succeed, fail, and be human. As the Father, He is always there for you and me and helps you make the right decisions to promote the common good. There are many actions that I can take to help people in this time. I can make their day better with a simple smile and hello. My family and I can also make a donation to the homeless and the healthcare workers. These people are working tirelessly in those tough conditions. A few other ideas are caring for a pet, comforting a sibling, and helping mom with chores around the house. The help given to others is often returned as well, creating positive ties and trust. Helping is important because it gives people the opportunity to help you feel better about yourself. Doing these things can also start a chain effect. I think having a very close connection with God is crucial during tough times. To have an intimate relationship with God is very important to me. Although I’m still learning about God and

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growing my relationship with Him, I do believe that when I pray, He listens. When I do the right things, He is happy.

In conclusion, helping people, however I can, is a good thing. It makes a difference in my family, community and the world. By being mindful of both my own health and safety as well as that of others, I can continue to engage, connect and share my faith through simple acts of kindness.

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