There was good news expected from Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday, when she was scheduled to unveil a plan for lifting the Kansas stay-at-home order on Monday. Actually, it will end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, so you can set your life forward before you go to bed Sunday night.
There will still be restrictions and things are by no means back to the days BC – Before COVID-19.
There have been some bright spots during the pandemic.
In the days to come, Barton County residents will no doubt raise $10,000 to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, just by buying gift cards online at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s promotion, “Barton Strong: Shop Small Give Big.” Anyone who buys a $25 gift card from one of the participating businesses will have the gift matched, with the first $10,000 coming from the Dorothy M. Morrison Foundation. It’s kind of a win-win-win, because buying a gift card also supports a local business and the buyer gets to enjoy the purchase.
The promotion is a joint effort of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Kansas and the Golden Belt Community Foundation. As of Thursday, $9,175 had been spent at 45 participating businesses and that amount was matched by the foundation’s gift.
That’s not the only way Barton County residents can help others in need.
The Golden Belt Community Foundation is also participating in the COVID-19 response #GivingTuesdayNow. Officially it will be on Tuesday, May 5 and has been extended for one week, through May 12, but actually no one has to wait to make a donation to one or more of 27 non-profit organizations in the Golden Belt that could use some help — food banks and hospital foundations and senior centers and such.
According to Mackenzie Mitchell at the GBCF, #GivingTuesdayNow is sort of a miniature version of the annual #GivingTuesday held every November. People can see the list of organizations eligible for donations and give online at www.goldenberltcf.org. And incidentally, the first $10,000 in donations to this promotion will also be matched, with funds from the Glenn and Elaine Mull Family Fund.
Our road back to normal is not just about money. People are encouraged to find ways to help others, even if they aren’t in a position to do so financially. Some have made cloth masks or just taken time to check in on friends and neighbors.
And remember, it’s OK to take care of yourself. Take steps to stay safe and limit the risk of infection – starting with something as simple as hand washing. That is a way to help yourself and others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking healthy actions that make you more safe can also be a way to reduce anxiety.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - National Center for PTSD offers some advice to improve your sense of control and ability to endure. Accept circumstances that cannot be changed and focus on what you can alter. Modify your definition of a “good day” to meet the current reality of the situation. (Learn more at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID_managing_stress.asp).
The same source reminds us to remain hopeful and to look for opportunities to practice being more patient or kind with ourselves.
