March 25, 2020
Liz Writes Life
Guess we were all surprised at how fast our lives were up-ended
this past week. Gosh, the covid-19 virus has moved swiftly around the world
from China. Governments have moved even faster to slow the spread of this pandemic
that has touched every aspect of our lives.
President Trump, at the White House, sent out guidelines for
social interaction and our own California Governor shut-down schools, many essential
businesses and ordered a Stay-at-Home edict – all within a week! Social
distancing is now the norm. So, entertainment, meetings and even sports are
canceled. Scott Valley Protect Our Water also canceled its meeting this week.
Certainly makes us wonder how we will survive, but we will!
Through the internet, human ingenuity is prevailing and we
will soon be entertained with a million different youtube videos regarding our
locked-down situations. Hopefully, most will be funny. Television is already
re-showing NCAA basketball games from as far back as 1990s. The Kentucky Derby
will be re-scheduled to September.
Hoarding is causing problems. Panic buying is creating
short-term shortages. When people can't get toilet paper, there is a problem,
especially when we have been reassured there is plenty of toilet paper in the
warehouses. But, it is scary not knowing what tomorrow, next week or month will
or won't bring.
In scouring news on the web, I read several articles that
said experts are concerned over the hoarding of items. There really is no need
to do it. Apparently, North America makes 90 percent of its toilet paper. Only
10 percent comes from China or India. There is plenty of TP in warehouses and
manufactures are certainly making more. Maybe we should leave a package or two
for someone else.
Here is an interesting note about TP: Apparently, in the
1800s toilet paper was being manufactured from tree pulp. Unfortunately, the
pulp wasn’t mashed enough to disintegrate all the wood splinters and, well, you
know how frustrating that would have been! It wasn’t until a better process was
developed in the mid-1930s that our toilet paper became safer to use!
It needs to be said that most workers in some industries are
still working. Farmers and ranchers are still working. Our own local farmers
were out planting this past week. Those in the industry, food and grocery
supply chain are still working. Even more importantly the truckers hauling the
supplies are still working. We do have supplies and we need to trust the
shelves will be re-stocked.
In a Bloomberg news article, it was reported there is plenty
of meat in the system. One stat said 957.5 million pounds of chicken is in cold
storage. For sure that is good – if you like chicken!
In the slaughter house industry, I read where more meat
inspectors are being certified just in case the current inspectors fall ill
from the covid-19.
I do feel so sorry for those who have lost their jobs from a
variety of businesses and schools being shut-down. Eateries quickly moved to
take-out or delivery service, because no one is allowed to go inside and sit
down to eat. Innovation is happening in many businesses. It was exciting to see
our own local Denny Bar Co. order aloe vera gel and bottles to make hand
sanitizer using its own alcohol. Hope I can get a bottle before they are out!
Iditarod
So, it seemed quite ironic to have our lives so changed from
a virus in the year 2020, while mushers and dogs were on their way to Nome,
Alaska re-enacting the ordeal of the race to save the people of Nome from
diphtheria nearly 100 years ago. With the rapidly moving covid-19 news updates
to check-out, I almost forgot to check on the Iditarod racers. I am always inspired
by this race through the frozen North.
Thomas Waerner, from Norway, came in the winner this year
with the time of 9 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes and 47 seconds in the 48th
annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
A few days into the race, the mushers began learning about
the world-wide pandemic, but were temporarily isolated in their own conditions.
After winning the race, Waerner quickly realized that he wouldn’t be flying
home to Norway any time soon. Because of mandated social distancing, the huge
celebration of his win was not held nor the previous days’ of annual festivities.
Supporters were encouraged to disperse and potential revelers told to stay
away. But, Waerner’s dogs did receive their prize wreath of yellow roses.
The Iditarod is an iconic race that re-enacts the
human-kindness and mercy that runs through our societies. It was the winter of
1924-1925, when Nome was hit with diphtheria and the local doctor did not
receive the life-saving antitoxin before the port was closed due to ice. The
antitoxin he had was not fresh and was not working. Children fell ill and
several died. The town council quickly quarantined the several thousand
residents to their homes and the doctor sent a radio telegram to the Commissioner
of Health of the Territories pleading for thousands of units of diphtheria
antitoxin. Mail was the only form of transportation, which was by sled dogs.
That original 1925 race was accomplished by relay with various
mushers and sled dog teams taking turns running across 674 miles of Alaska
Territory. Twenty mushers and 150 sled dogs participated in the five-and-half-day
rescue and literally saved the town.
It is humbling to remember the sacrifice and courage of those
brave mushers and sturdy dependable dogs. Truly, they were heroes. There is
faith, hope and success in team work.
During this difficult trial, may God bless us to expand our
charitable acts. Call and check-on your family, friends and neighbors. Let us
pray for our medical, first-responders and policing folks who are diligently trying
to save lives -- along with those who are infected with covid-19. And may we
take this time to slow down, take deep breaths, reflect on the good in our
world expanding our hope and trusting that this, too, shall pass.
Liz
Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She
is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past
year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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