SHINING A LIGHT

SHINING A

When the world seems dark, seek the light

BY DAVID HEATON Editor, SWUPHD Public Information Officer

he Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) began posting daily COVID-19 updates on their official Facebook page in March, soon after results began rolling out to local health districts from positive tests. The SWUPHD was among the first to include a count of those recovered. The first comment on the April 5th Facebook update was by a young woman named Allison who simply wrote “11 recovered!!” She soon became a regular in the comments section, sometimes near the top (“103 recovered!!”), sometimes further down (“515 recovered!!”). While some commenters expressed encouragement and appreciation, others criticized her cheerfulness, especially after the SWUPHD adopted the state’s criteria for recovery, which is 21 days after a positive test (and not deceased). It was pointed out to her that “recovered” doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have lingering health problems. “I know,” was her reply. On July 23rd, Allison commented “1827 recovered!!” which again led to some discussion about the uncertain future of the health of those individuals. Allison then revealed, “I currently have it and time will only tell with any long term

issues and side effects, but I will continue to celebrate the recoveries.” that others — like us — are decent, imperfect human beings each doing their best.”

It’s interesting how someone’s spirit and at“There’s a darkness that has enveloped us all,” titude can have an influence, even on social wrote local columnist Ed Kociela in an opinmedia where interacting through a screen ion piece for The Independent on July 14, seems to make it easier to attack and berate 2020. “Those who are the peacemakers, the others. Allison’s calm, the kind who daily comment on a health department’s Facebook page has provided a small ray of light IT TAKES MORE INNER STRENGTH, MORE PA- TIENCE, MORE COMMITMENT, INTEGRITY, AND INTELLECT TO OPERATE FROM KINDNESS THAN ANGER. try to reason with others, try to talk them in from the ledge, try to point out the ego inflaamong the grim tion that causes us numbers that have documented a pandemic to level blame at everybody else, are the real surge with its hospitalizations and loss of life. heroes. The lesson here, by the way, is to never mistake kindness for weakness. It takes more That light hasn't gone unnoticed, as evidenced inner strength, more patience, more commit- by comments like this one: “Thank you ment, integrity, and intellect to operate from for your positivity!! I pray for you to have a kindness than anger…(m)ost importantly, speedy recovery! I have enjoyed your positive seek the lightness. Do not be afraid to break outlook- one which I choose to have as well.” from anger and despair. We spend too much In a recent American Enterprise Institute blog post, Benjamin Ho warns us about “pandemic shaming, the tendency to judge people who time regretting yesterday and worrying about tomorrow rather than taking care of today. We’re going to make it. I am confident.” make different choices than we would during Hard times can bring out the best and worst the COVID-19 crisis. Pandemic shaming is in people. They reveal our character but give understandable in a scary situation where us a chance to be a little better if we’re willing. one’s actions can bring harm to others. But There’s still time before this pandemic fades the coming months will be easier if we instead away to be the kind of person who made a difadopt a presumption of decency, which holds ference.