Let's Think Out Loud About All Things COVID19 and Otherwise...a serious bid for more input from regular people
Here is a post I shared locally with those learning about the passing of 26 people in a nursing home in Litchfield CT. Likely there will be more information about any delays in reporting or getting the people help. You can send some ideas my way or let me know if you are interested in creating surveys or outreach efforts. Email me at thinkingkapp@gmail.com and I'll confirm I get it. I am in the the northwest corner of CT so near the Berkshires of MA and Dutchess County NY.I'll take time to spell out more ideas in the next few days, but want to hear what people are feeling would make sense to show support for the families of those who have loved ones crossing over at this time. Doing more for seniors and people with children or any in need would be a big plus too since stress can harm the immune system. Staying healthy and connected is now part of everyone's job description as is thinking positively. Hope this letter can be moving more in that direction and away from despair....
Thank you, Marshall Miles of Ct, for informing us of these matters and giving people a place to think more carefully about all the details and ways we might prevent more of the same. Very tragic that many are dying under confusing CV19 circumstances...and likely calls for independent groups of people checking basics and preparing for such kinds of problems.
I see similar 'downward spirals' and lack of independent oversight and coaching in much of our daily living (to prevent many kinds of poor health, abuse and concerning situations...) The laws of the land are slowly changing on the books and can take years to implement.
That is why more public citizens need to want to be involved in understanding many aspects of community. I've taken a dozen programs and still feel I have plenty to learn even as I somehow got to be almost 60 years old.
Younger people are smarter about a lot of things because of the internet, including doing research and network. Wisdom and teamwork is needed from 'older people' (over 40 say) to help younger people (under 40) have more support in managing their lives in reasonable ways...hopefully without unforeseen major problems such as costly bureaucracy, poor health and difficult life transitions (anything involving courts, relationship separations and making ends meet...)
People over 40 and even over 60 still need support as well, since we all officially know now that 'the unexpected things do come up in life for everyone.'
I hope we can organize teams of people to create a greater sense of community in our tri-corner area, building on 'natural networks' that exist via schools, towns, groups and for women, men, and youth as well as seniors.
When people feel 'acknowledged and included' somehow dealing with life becomes a whole lot more manageable. Thanks for letting me share on this forum and let's see what the families of those who have passed may be needing in terms of support for months to come.
This time should not be one of quick fixes and forgetting what's happening to people since 'life must go on.' Now would be a reasonable time to create a national (and even international) outreach regarding dealing with serious health concerns, dying, death and support for those who need it for months and years afterward, not only to 'survive' but to thrive and feel they will always have people walking their journey respectfully with them.
Many people 'find out who their friends really are' when times are tough, but hopefully with better outreach, more people could find ways to ask and receive help for whatever is needed.
End of Life Doulas are working with hospice on the national level and yet in every community, the resources may not be available as desired. Let's see what we can do about 'all of these kinds of things' since again, the need has never been greater or more public, so this would be a time to help create a caring response and see what more can be done.
Trusting only those in professional capacities to figure things out and really allow for more input from the community may not result in the best responses. A community, state and regional approach could draw on collaboration from public, private, faith, governmental and other resources. Whose interested in discussing this type of issue and putting a survey together to explore needs? People could brainstorm and answer anonymously...and likely come up with some helpful strategies on many fronts.
So a few topics could be covered to keep things more balanced and help people share what would be helpful at this time in various ways from living, working, dealing with being at home or transitioning as needed, getting help early on if not feeling well and support as much as possible for having their home and family needs and personal support provided if they need to go into a hospital, or have plans in place to help others with meals, groceries, care-giving, or other needs as may arise. Again let's allow ourselves to think a little more collaboratively to consider how things could be handled and appreciate what has been done so far.
Hearing more about the challenges someone has faced would be important to help things not escalate and that could be on any front, knowing many things may have gotten more difficult due to the number of stresses and changes people have met so far. Thanks to all considering this and it's fine to PM me so I can 'count that in'. Hopefully a few others will want to join together and see what we can discover together to improve things on many fronts.
