This month, three NFH writers asked a variety of people about the challenges they faced as the COVID-19 pandemic restricted everyday life as we knew it. There were a variety of replies. Pete Gawda interviewed a couple of people who were honest about working from home and how family interruptions tested their ability to focus. Leslie Sheley had some interesting comments from people about the state of the human ìconditionî during the height of COVID-19. And Ava Stoller talked to graduating seniors about the effects they felt as their last year of high school was totally disrupted.A couple of comments caught my eye, and I identify with what they were saying. One person talked about the state of ìselfishnessî in this country that became blatantly evident during the pandemic. When people started hoarding toilet paper and bottled water, I thought we had gone nuts. I think I commented in an earlier ìFrom the publishersî column about the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made during World War II. They were lucky to have a meal of an apple and a slice of bread.I heard people complaining about not being able to dine out or go to a movie. What the heck would Americans do if the pandemic had not only shut down restaurants and entertainment centers but also the entire power grid for months at a time.As one person Leslie interviewed said, ìWe are so advanced we think we donít need anyone else.î And what about our rights during this time. ìItís my right not to wear a mask; itís my right not to social distance,î etc. Another person Leslie interviewed said communities have been ìsacrificed on the altar of self.îOf course, there were feel-good stories during the pandemic, and the health care workers were the epitome of unselfishness.What would we have done without Zoom, without the internet, without video games, without television and cell phones? Itís hard to even fathom how people in this country would react. I donít know how I would react.So, what I have said so far leads me to Markís Meanderings column. Mark, an Air Force Intelligence Officer who served two combat tours for Operation Iraqi Freedom, writes this month that freedom isnít free. He also talks about a life change he is making to honor the lives of those who died serving their country. Read his column and see the opposite of ìselfish.îFYI: We are now alternating between the book review and people on the plains, so this month we have the book review.On another subject, the weather has been all over the place. I was just reading a comment the other day from a Springs resident who said a few years ago, he didnít even think of air conditioning for his car or his house. He said there was just a few days where he felt a little discomfort from the heat. Today, he said he didnít think he could go without it. Be careful of the heat this summer ó and please donít leave your children or pets in the car during the summer months. For children, thatís year-round!Happy July 4 ó and be safe!See you in August,– Michelle
