By James Maroney
State Sen., D-14
James Maroney
It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since our first COVID-19 shutdown. In that time we have lost over 7,800 of our friends, family and neighbors to the disease. We have lost time with family. Students have lost time in school. As a community, we were forced to take precautions to keep ourselves and others around us safe. Thousands of people are still in quarantine and many who lost their jobs don’t know if they will be able to afford their next meal. As a state, we had to come together quickly and figure out how to tackle a virus that was causing so much pain.
The virus exposed inequalities where minorities and others at the bottom of the economic ladder were hit the hardest. Low wage workers had higher pandemic job losses and Black Americans have mortality rates that are significantly higher than all other race and ethnic groups except for indigenous people.
The pandemic has forced many workers into remote and telework as offices have closed around the country. But not everyone has the same ability to work from home.
Fortunately, lessons have been learned. Several legislators, including myself, are working on legislation that would protect residents in Connecticut in the future should a pandemic ever strike again. Funds have been allocated to allow students to continue learning, businesses to repair and programs to carry on. Long-term care facilities and medical centers have adopted new initiatives to ensure the protection of patients.
Mental health is extremely important, and I fear that as we have all been living through collective trauma that a mental health crisis is looming. However, help is available 24/7. Counselors are available to talk. There is also a crisis text line; text CT to 741741. There are prevention and response resources available. Take the pledge to better your mental health. If you take care of yourself first, you can help be there for others. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
While many of us remained physically distant, we rapidly adapted to new technologies that have allowed us to remain connected to loved ones. But we realize that it is no replacement for personal connection. We have come to a new appreciation for those who are essential. The doctors and nurses who cared for our loved ones when they were fighting a new sickness. Teachers who continued to teach our children during a time of uncertainty. First responders who showed up when they were needed. Grocery store workers who continued to show up to work and put their health and safety at risk.
Perhaps the most important thing we learned was the importance of community. Over this year we have seen our neighbors come together. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. By taking the necessary precautions, we can work together to bring normalcy back into everyday life.
For those who have survived, we have much to both be thankful for and proud of in our state. Biotech companies from our state led the charge for developing the new vaccine, and we continue to be one of the leading states in vaccination rates. I am thankful for the sacrifices that everyone has made to help us weather this storm together.