During the Wuhan Crisis, when most people’s lives are being permanently damaged (even if no one they know is infected), and when fear seems to be breeding greater slothfulness and self-centeredness than ever, a few people have refused to let the pandemic stop them from doing good. Here are just a few instances of people working around the pandemic’s restrictions to bring love and support to family members.
On March 14, Bob, from Vernon, Connecticut, could not be with his wife for their 67th wedding anniversary because Nancy was in a nursing home, which is closed to visitors during the pandemic. So Bob made a sign and stood outside his wife’s window. “I’ve loved you 67 years and still do. Happy Anniversary,” was his message. Nancy waved to him and blew kisses. “It makes me feel bad because I want her down with me and I know she can’t be,” Bob said. Their physical separation only spurred him to a public demonstration of his love, however.
On April 7, the Daily Mail reported on the actions of a man trying to support his wife in Sugar Land, Texas. Kelly Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, and her husband Albert promised to be with her for every chemo appointment. Unfortunately, Wuhan virus restrictions at the Anderson Cancer Center made Albert’s physical presence impossible for one of these appointments. “I had promised her that I would be with her every step of the way and I felt like I would be breaking my word,” Albert said. So, he made a large sign that read, “I can’t be with you but I’m here. Love you! Thanks to all staff!!!” Albert sat outside his car with the sign so that Kelly was able to look out of her hospital room window and see the sign. “It immediately brought tears to my eyes,” Kelly declared. It brought tears to the eyes of Kelly’s nurse, too, and several nurses went outside to thank Albert for his demonstration of support.
In March, a man surprised emergency room workers in Morristown, New Jersey. He stood outside the window of the ER at Morristown Medical Center with his hand pressed to his heart and a sign that said, “Thank you all in emergency for saving my wife’s life. I love you all.” The man, who seemed very emotional, is unidentified, and it is not known whether his wife was hospitalized for Wuhan virus or some other complication, but the emergency room workers were touched and inspired by the husband’s gesture of gratitude.
Meanwhile, in Lakeway, Texas, Lindley Gentile gave birth to her son without family members being allowed to visit her due to Wuhan virus restrictions. Gentile’s family gathered outside Baylor Scott and White Medical Center anyway to wave enthusiastically, especially when a nurse held the newborn baby up at the window for them to see.
These stories should remind us that we, too, can step up to the challenge and be extra charitable during this time. If you know someone in the hospital because of the Wuhan Virus or another illness, perhaps you can express your love and support in a way similar to the actions of the people above. If not, you can hand-make masks, send cards and letters to isolated friends and family, or even just do an extra chore around your house to help out a hassled family member. Above all, you can pray—for those you know and those you don’t know, for everyone affected by the Wuhan virus, whether by the disease itself or by the extreme restrictions imposed due to the virus. Keep your hope alive even when everything seems to be going wrong. Alexander Pope said, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” So, love your friends and family, even if you are physically apart, keep faith that you can make a real difference for the good, and always have hope in the future, even when it is bleakest!
