Our View: Crisis brings out the best in many

Easter is a celebration of rebirth and renewed faith. It’s the most solemn of the Christian holidays, yet the most joyful, too. It comes in the springtime, coinciding with the end of a long winter and the new growth of spring.

This year, Easter falls in the middle of a virus pandemic that reminds us that our time here on Earth is limited and tenuous. But the crisis surrounding the fear of the coronavirus can’t seem to dampen the spirits of our Carlton County friends and neighbors. It is apparent that we are coming together, while social distancing, and it’s bringing us closer rather than tearing us apart.

Sure, sheltering in place is making us a little stir crazy. We’ve pointed out before that the pandemic is almost like a snow day, except longer, and, well, the snow is melting and we still can’t get out. The governor’s emergency declarations restrict all but the most essential interactions, and while we are seeing a much slower spread of the virus than some other areas, such restrictions are taking their toll.

We are impressed with the way we’ve adapted, worked together, shared our compassion, and stayed positive.

The public schools are staying in session, still teaching our children, albeit remotely. School leaders recognize the strain this puts on parents, so they have reminded us that parents are not homeschooling their kids. Teachers are still available and in contact with students, and kids, not their parents, are expected to complete assignments. Schools even deliver bag lunches to anyone who wants one, further easing the burden.

Neighbors are combining forces to sew facemasks. Someone has elastic bands. Someone has cloth. Someone has a sewing machine. Masks are being distributed not only to health care facilities but to ordinary people following health experts’ recommendations to wear facemasks in public. The first few people brave enough to go out masked have helped break down the weirdness of it, and now many people wear masks. We don’t know how much it helps, but we do know the curve in Minnesota is much flatter than elsewhere.

And the charity. From Kim Lind and her partner at B&B Market, John, who started a “food train” to ensure those who are struggling financially will get groceries, to neighbors sharing supplies when needed, we’ve seen an amazing outpouring of generosity and selflessness during this crisis that truly reminds us of what a great community we live in.

This Easter, churches have found a way to celebrate the holiday without congregating in a church building. They have inspired us with online services, and now drive-in options. The spirit lives on. The positive side effects of this quarantine show that we are getting through this crisis together.