At first this Coronavirus pandemic had me hiding under my weighted yoga blanket for an extended savasana. I practiced social distancing even in the form of social media. I needed to withdraw, retreat, understand, adjust to this new normal.  I wanted to savor and enjoy life as I knew it bc I sensed a huge change coming. I felt like a diver trying to adjust their oxygen tank, and now that I am somewhat regulated, I want to offer my thoughts, concerns and some ideas that I hope takes off through this forum and beyond.

 I’m peeking out of the cover of my safe place to praise the nurses, doctors, police officers and even the undertakers & coroners who are on the front lines of the unprecedented time in our history. They did not ask for this role, they were thrust into it with now warning whatsoever. They were drafted into a fight without a chance to go through basic training. God bless them and their families with health and safety. We don’t even have enough armor to protect these soliders like facemasks, and proper PPE.

They are making sacrifices for their health, their families health all to willingly come to our aid. The least we can do is to say thank you, thank you that simple. Some health care and public servant workers are quarantining themselves from their own children after their shift from the families out of an abundance of caution. They are offering comfort and peace to those that are dying, informing family members when a person may be leaving this earth and offering a chance to say goodbye over the phone. 

What a toll that must be taking on this limited, precious resource that we have in our work-force. They are not easily replaceable, regenerating commodities. They will need help getting through this financially, mentally and physically. 

What happens after all of this is over and the second tsunami hits when these workers get sick, have PTSD or even perhaps die from the virus and/or leave their loved ones without a parent? I remember the motto “Never Forget” after 911, but did we really come to their aid? Our biggest tragedy was on Sept 11, 2001, and it took until 2006 for NY Gov George Pataki to sign a law requiring death benefits to relatives of the first responders and health care workers. It has been estimated that more people died from post 911 illnesses and toxic exposure than from the initial attack. 

The James Zadroga Act was a compensation effort that failed to pass in 2006 and a different version was eventually signed by President Obama in 2010. The funding ran out, let me say that again people (#neverforget), the funding ran out for the Zadroga Act in 2015.  The former celebrity talk show host Jon Stewart advocated and testified with first responders who were suffering with disease at the House Judiciary Committee- (note not all committee members showed up that day) demanding this bill get funding. Here is a quote from Jon Stewart from that day.

“I’m sorry if I sound angry and undiplomatic. But I’m angry, and you should be too, and they’re all angry as well and they have every justification to be that way. There is not a person here, there is not an empty chair on that stage that didn’t tweet out ‘Never Forget the heroes of 9/11. Never forget their bravery. Never forget what they did, what they gave to this country.’ Well, here they are. And where are they? And it would be one thing if their callous indifference and rank hypocrisy were benign, but it’s not. Your indifference cost these men and women their most valuable commodity: time. It’s the one thing they’re running out of.”

— Jon Stewart, House Judiciary Committee testimony, June 11, 2019[23]

Thankfully the bill was reauthorized  with coverage until 2090. Way to go Jon Stewart!

Our prayers are worthwhile, but not enough, they need our help! Perhaps we can offer to prepare them a home-cooked meal, or a baked good (after of course using proper COvid19 safety measures like washing counters and your grocery containers, packages etc with disinfecting wipes, don’t get me started!). Heres an idea or two to be of service and maybe mow their grass, walk their dog, take out their trash cans to the curb, drop off a case of their favorite beer on their front porch. Whatever you are called to do, maybe just call and say thank you, and just ask how you can help them.

Lastly I call out to those in positions of power to please do the right thing here, proactively!!  Let us keep in mind how they have been called up to serve us, risk their lives, & honor these heros, (that’s what they are heroes) with some reward or compensation. I teach yoga, and in yoga there are poses called Virabhadrasana. “Vira” means hero and “badhra” means friend in Sanskrit. These are our friends, some of those who we know, some we do not, but all are going way above and beyond the call of duty. 

They should be recognized and remembered for their sacrifices, maybe offer them veterans benefits, free tuition for their kids or a Covid19 Caregive/First Responder tax break. These are just rambling thoughts of a yoga teacher, let the lawmakers who get paid way more than a simple yogini so you figure this compensation out.

 I’m just leading the charge, so let’s do the best we can in anticipation of what is headed our way. If we can’t give them PPE let’s give them hope, that they will be taken care of and their families too. Perhaps if we did that in January we wouldn’t be in such a tragic situation.