I know some of you will not agree with me. But I am sad to see what our generation has left for the following generations. I thought, as a sixties kid, we were going to change the world. I believed after what we learned about the Vietnam War and all who we lost from our generation; we would avoid wars. During the Clinton administration, I was teaching young people who had not experienced war. Now students do not know when the U.S. was not involved in an Operation of Some Kind.
Racism
After the teachings of King, Kennedy, and so many others, I believed we had progressed in racial understanding. I’m reading Warriors Don’t Cry for a class I hope to teach in the Fall. This book, the killing of George Floyd, and now, the arrest of a CNN crew has disturbed my soul. I believe messages come from the top, and this President has uncovered the very racial muck that perhaps has just been bubbling under the surface all these years.
Wearing a Mask
Wearing a mask has become a political declaration. How can that be? For years, every grade school kid on up to high school have been taught not to bully. Teachers have defined it, tried to demonstrate kindness, and taught tolerance. Now it’s like all those lessons and teachings were for naught. When the slogan of “We are all in this together.” was unveiled during the pandemic, I thought it was great. Then one person at the top decided he would not do it, and it becomes a sign of masculinity, politics, or defiance. I wear one as a sign of “I care about others.”
Overdoses
In Franklin County, where I live, the Coroner reported in April 2020 spikes in overdose deaths. The police reportedly said they believed people were afraid to call 911 because they were afraid of “contracting the coronavirus at the hospital.” I have included information about how to obtain a Narcan kit or a map of where a person can take their discarded pills. Accidents happen. Loneliness has spiked because of the stay at home orders. Stress is so high in many people. It is a sad historical time. I wish the generations that follow mine had never had to experience.
Mail Order Narcan Kit
Franklin County Public Health’s Project DAWN program has traditionally offered residents a life-saving drug, naloxone, through community events and training. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to continue to practice social distancing, all community naloxone training has been postponed until further notice.
You can now request a naloxone kit online to be mailed to you and complete a quick online training all from your home’s safety. In training, you will learn how to:
Recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose
Distinguish between different types of overdose
Perform rescue breathing
Call emergency medical services
Administer intranasal naloxone