We care

“In every crisis, doubt or confusion, take the higher path
– the path of compassion, courage, understanding and love.”
― Amit Ray

Yes, there is the guy who drove around Chattanooga buying every bottle of hand sanitizer on the shelves at Dollar Tree, Walmart, Staples Home Depot, and then, having created a shortage, took to the highway with a loaded UHaul price-gouging his own community. Yes, there are the hucksters who rushed to the internet to sell flimsy, useless face masks. Yes, there is panic-buying, hording—even fighting—in grocery stores.

But, my friends, there is also generosity and compassion, thoughtfulness and community-mindedness. There are humans being kind to humans. Because, despite the White House-fueled incivility and vitriol that has become the “new normal,” despite the real and evolving health (and attendant financial) crisis posed by the coronavirus, this is what we humans do. We care about—and for—each other.

Let’s take a moment to recognize, celebrate and support the generous and compassionate actions of others, both big and small.

In Eugene, Bagelsphere  is home-delivering a dozen bagels for free to any senior who cannot or does not want to risk going out to shop.

Eugene-based Oregon Community Credit Union (owned by more than 150,000 members) has told its mortgage customers that they can skip April payment with no penalty or fees.

Laughing Planet is offering free meals to school kids on meal assistance programs at all its Pacific Northwest locations.(Students are not required to show proof that they are part of a meal program.) In Lincoln City, OR, Grill 1646 is giving away hotdogs and PB & J’s to homeless students who will be unable to get free meals due to school closures.

Shine Distillery and Grill in Portland  is making its own hand sanitizer and giving it away for free. (The product comes from the process of distilling their own spirits.)

Seattle-based REI  has closed all its retail stores—and will continue to pay all its employees during the closure.

Trader Joes has expanded its paid sick time to all of crew members.

And then there are the grander gestures:

Zion Williamson, the 19-year-old superstar of the Pelicans basketball team, announced that he will cover the salaries of all laid-off workers at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans for the next month.

That’s the most dramatic move in the world of professional sports, but the following teams have also pledged to support the (mostly hourly-paid) stadium and arena workers out of work due to game and tournament cancellations: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Astros, Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks…the list goes on.

Renowned Washington, D.C chef and restaurateur José Andrés announced that he was transforming some of his restaurants into community kitchens to offer lunches for those in need of a meal.

What is happening in your community? How can you help?