Community collaborative supports COVID-19 emergency relief campaign

Life has taken a drastic, unexpected turn. Our world has been altered, our daily routines have been abruptly changed, and our local communities are reeling from extraordinary times that include daily updates and disruptions resulting from the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

It’s difficult to wrap our brains around what is happening, and the speed at which it is happening is mind-boggling. In the past two weeks, we went from a booming economy nationally to a recession accompanied by mandatory closings, shutdowns, cutbacks, layoffs, and more unknowns than knowns. The economic fallout locally is resulting in substantial hardship for many Frederick County families and individuals. And all of that is on top of the 39 percent of households in Frederick County already struggling to afford basic household needs. Now, with the added uncertainties of the coronavirus impact, the future looks even more unsure. Nothing in the economy is predictable right now.

And yet, in the midst of all the unpredictability remains a steadfast truth that is completely predictable. Frederick County cares for its own and through our care for one another, we find practical, substantive ways of providing hope in an otherwise ominous if not overwhelming public health crisis.

Click here to read the full letter to the editor.

Source: The Frederick News-Post