Heroism Amidst a Pandemic

Heroism Amidst a Pandemic

by

Deborah Fagan Carpenter

This photo of Huey’s Downtown is courtesy of Tripadvisor

As deep as we are into this dreadful pandemic, I have to concede that I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the enormity of it. I’m grateful that I live somewhat in the country, and other than the reduction in traffic noise, my life is largely unchanged, just a little quieter. Thankfully, I still have an income, and except for the inability to shop because I’m in a high-risk category, essentially, my life remains much the same. That’s certainly not the case for so many. The lives of a whole lot of people are being forever altered. It’s hard to grasp, and it’s equally distressing to watch it and feel utterly useless as it continues.

I’m something of a news junkie, though admittedly, I get a lot of it second hand from my friend Jimmy who keeps me abreast of anything I might miss. It’s disturbing and terrifying to witness how unprepared we, allegedly the most advanced country in the world, are for a medical and economic nightmare of this proportion. We join most of the other affected countries in that respect. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and doctors and nurses are severely lacking in not only needed medical equipment but in protective gear as well. They, along with the first responders, literally put their lives at risk every day, and they’re working incomprehensible hours. Heroes and heroines all!

The fact is, there’s a lot of heroism going around. Grocery store workers are exposed to the virus countless times a day, and yet, they continue to stock shelves and assist people in check-out lines. Restaurant workers are faced with the challenge of preparing food for take-out and delivery only; their hours and tips considerably reduced. Police, firefighters, and EMTs are experiencing a new set of challenges every day, putting their own lives at risk. Custodial workers are still cleaning hospitals and businesses, exposing themselves to infection at every turn. Delivery drivers handle questionable packages every day. Garbage workers are still collecting our trash on schedule, as though nothing has changed. HVAC companies are still working to keep our air conditioners running, and plumbers and appliance repairmen are still going into homes to resolve problems. Countless numbers of people are out of work and don’t know when their next paycheck will come, how they’re going to pay their rent or mortgage, or how they’ll buy groceries. They are perhaps the most heroic of all.

Behind the scenes, ordinary people are quietly, but diligently working to fulfill some of the current needs in communities. One such kind and generous soul is my friend Elaine Orland. In addition to her full-time job, she’s making protective face masks for the mental health clinics that fall under the umbrella of Alliance Healthcare Services in Memphis, where she is a counselor. She’s providing them to the employees and the clients of that organization. Additionally, she’s given them to people working construction, maintenance people who are going in and out of buildings, some educators, and of course, friends and family.

This image of Elaine’s masks represents two days work

She has effectively turned her sewing room into a mask manufacturing shop. The masks Elaine is making are community masks, not surgical masks, primarily worn to keep people from spreading the virus rather than from contracting it. Although, with the filters she uses, Elaine’s will definitely prevent some infectious particles from getting through. The stress of the whole pandemic shut-down, coupled with the stress of having to wear a mask at all, prompted Elaine to make her masks pretty and cheerful. By doing that, she hopes to alleviate some of the anxiety this challenging predicament brings with it. Regardless of the fabric she uses, Elaine is providing a valuable service to a lot of people and relieving them of some of the worry of the crisis—a heroine for sure!

This photo of Huey’s Downtown is courtesy of Tripadvisor

Although many other businesses are probably included, Huey’s a well-known bar and grill in Memphis is also behind the scenes helping. Celebrated for their World Famous Huey Burger and toothpicks in the ceiling, the company, along with Folks Folly steak restaurant, partially owned by the same family, is paying their 585 employees for at least eight weeks. This gesture is not something they’re advertising, but have quietly implemented. They’re helping their long-time workers survive the crisis and ensuring that they’re still part of the organization when it’s over. Although I don’t need an incentive to eat at Huey’s or Folks Folly, this gesture is just another good reason to support them. And, I’d guess that those employees think that their bosses are pretty darned heroic too.

People like Elaine Orland and businesses like Huey’s and Folks Folly are silently making a difference all over the world. An astonishing number of brave, generous people are helping the rest of us maintain some semblance of normalcy, comfort, safety, and peace of mind. Heroism is surviving the pandemic.

With the exception of the Huey’s photos, all images are courtesy of Elaine Orland