The next few weeks will determine the next few months

Unprecedented in our lifetimes is the best way to describe the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The actions of the world, along with our federal, state and local governments is something I’ve never seen and probably—hopefully—will never see again.

During 911 in 2001, we saw similar actions for about three days. It was unusual to look up in the sky and not see any jet contrails. I remember the eerie feeling of calm that everyone possessed and how we all knew we would get through through it together.

Our behavior over the next couple of weeks will determine how we’ll live our lives over the next couple of months. What we do now, and how seriously we take this pandemic now, may determine if this crisis be over in a couple of weeks, a month or many months.

The request from our government is to minimize social activity and congregate only in small groups of 10 or fewer people. To get our food to go and to avoid large crowds for a couple of weeks is for our own good.

Please take this pandemic seriously.

Please consider that there are those who are at serious risk of dying from this virus, particularly those over 65 and those with weak immune systems. Help your neighbor.

Stop panic buying and hoarding food and day-to-day necessities. It only makes everyone more afraid.

In Vicksburg, when the going gets tough the tough always get going. Our community has never let us down in the past, and I don’t expect it will let us down this time, either.

Volunteers and local organizations have come together to feed people. Schools are feeding people and even sending school buses to students’ homes.

We are a great community. We always come together in times of difficulty. There’s no doubt in my mind that this will be one of these times.