I had been in the U.S. Air Force for seven months when the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened.
It being nearly 20 years ago since that life-changing event happened, I can’t remember everything that occurred in my life after Sept. 11, 2001; however, I do remember people being shocked and scared. I remember my family and friends being worried and not knowing what was coming next.
I also remember seeing celebrities and politicians on television, and hearing ordinary people in letters and on the street thanking me for my service. Thanking every man and woman in uniform for their sacrifice.
They thanked our first responders and our leaders for acting fast and selflessly protecting and safeguarding our communities in uncertain times. Congress passed legislation to increase military pay and benefits and songs were written praising all these heroes. Rightfully so we treated servicemembers and first responders the way we treat celebrities and influencers.
Now here we are in 2020 with a global pandemic that is crippling the world’s economy and impacting the health of hundreds of thousands of people and killing off tens of thousands. We have absorbed new words into our daily lives like coronavirus, social distancing and flattening the curve.
We’ve also started to notice new groups of workers who, during a time of crisis, have stepped up and become our heroes: Healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, fast food workers, truck drivers, stay-at-home caregivers, delivery drivers and many, many more who continue to tend to the sick, stock shelves and deliver goods, putting their own health in jeopardy to keep you safe and sound in your homes.
These are workers who have been declared by local and federal governments as “essential” during this pandemic, and are being praised on social media by some of the same individuals who just a few months ago complained that someone “flipping burgers” or “stocking cans” doesn’t deserve $15 an hour. Those same people who you call on to deliver your medicine, food and diapers so you can stay safe are the same people who last year many of you said weren’t doing jobs that warranted being paid a living wage and getting health benefits.
My hope after this pandemic ends is that we remember these heroes who sacrificed for us and, just as we did for the military after 9/11, fight for them to get pay raises and benefits. If this pandemic has taught us anything it is that no person is expendable, no job is more needed than any other and in order for our communities to thrive we must respect and depend on everyone and recognize that everyone has worth and purpose.
I also hope that after the fear of this situation fades we all remember those elected leaders who fought for these things even before a pandemic and continue to vote to keep them in office.
I also hope we remember the elected officials who said certain lives were worth sacrificing in order to have a great economy and remember those senators who knew how bad this pandemic was going to get and decided to sell off stocks instead of warning the country, and let’s make sure that they are never allowed to make decisions for us again.
Times are tough for nearly everyone right now, this company included, so I also want to thank every single Watermark employee for stepping up, I want to thank every advertiser who was able to stick it out with us even as our cities and counties began shutting down and I want to thank you who is taking the time to read this and every other story in Watermark.
I believe in this newspaper, in the mission we serve and the service we provide, and if we all look out for each other we too will get through this.
In this issue, we take an in-depth look at LGBTQ homelessness in Central Florida and Tampa Bay and ways that community organizations are trying to help. In Central Florida news, Tidal Wave Party announces it is the first group to bow out of Orlando’s Big LGBTQ weekend in June and a pair of Orlando’s biggest festivals adjust schedules. In Tampa Bay news, we say goodbye to a local hero who lost his battle with COVID-19 and check in with more closures.
Due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, Watermark will not have any Arts & Entertainment features or Viewpoint columns in this issue; however, we do check in with a local healthcare professional to get an update on the current pandemic.
These are chaotic times we are in right now so be safe, take care and please stay informed. The hardest thing to see in a time like this is the spread of false medical information that can be dangerous to a person’s health. Make sure what you share is verified and factual.
Remember, you and the truth both matter so be sure to take care of both.
