Good morning, neighbor!
I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately, hoping you’re staying safe and well. I hope you’re taking the precautions we are all being asked to take when it comes to the coronavirus, because I truly don’t want to see any of you become ill.
While I think even at this point we should not panic, I think we have to be diligent and responsible in our actions. Remember, you may be healthy and feel you’ll make it through if you contract it, but what about your parent, your partner or your grandparent? What about your elderly neighbor or the stranger you pass in the grocery store?
I’ve lived in this county my entire life and I know we have great, caring people living here. It’s why I stayed all these years. It’s why I’m proud to say my children and grandchildren live here.
I’m doing my part right now. I’m working from home. Going to the grocery story as little as possible. I want to keep myself, my family and yes, you, as safe as possible. So far, I’m happy to say that neither I nor my family have been ill, but that could change in a heartbeat. I know. I’m a journalist and I’ve been covering this for weeks now.
What have I learned so far? Well, things are changing by the minute. I reported the middle of last week that there was one confirmed case at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. By the next day, there were six. The day after, there were 17. The Greenfield Recorder will keep you informed about how many cases are being reported by Baystate each day.
I’ve also reported that, again, there are some wonderful people out there doing everything they can to keep you safe, like Dr. Stefan Topolski, who is still seeing patients, but through the two windows to his exam rooms. He wants to stay safe so he can continue to care for his patients, and he wants them to stay safe, too.
There is no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus at this point, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some suggestions until this thing gets under control or disappears — we can only hope that it’s sooner rather than later.
Please take heed. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, so keep a distance of about 6 feet from others. It’s called social distancing. Also, cough or sneeze into your elbow — you should be doing that always, anyway. Clean your hands often, and if soap and water aren’t readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Most importantly, please stay home if you’re not feeling well, and contact your primary care physician if you have questions. Obviously, if you’re severely ill, call your doctor or hospital. And at this point, even if you’re feeling fine, try to stay home as much as possible. Let’s all be socially responsible. This may continue to sound like a broken record, but every life is worth it.
I spend a lot of time with my children and grandchildren, but currently I’m staying away for their sake and mine. It’s a sacrifice, but one I’m willing to make to keep everyone safe.
We all need to take care of each other, neighbors. Check on your elderly neighbors and make sure they’re OK, even if it’s by phone or through a window. Just please, take care of yourself. Remember, prepare, don’t panic.
I also wanted to let you know that I have returned to the Greenfield beat here at the Recorder. As many of you remember, I covered the city for eight years, and since 2016, have been working in different capacities for Newspapers of New England and the Greenfield Recorder.
I’m happy to be back and hope to see you in the coming weeks and months. If you have stories you think need to be told, other than coronavirus-related, let me know. I’d be happy to accommodate.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, hopefully with better news. Until I see you again, stay well and be safe. Take care, neighbor.
Senior Reporter Anita Fritz grew up in Franklin County after moving from Spokane, Wash., when she was just a few weeks old. She is the Greenfield reporter for the Greenfield Recorder once again. She covered Greenfield for eight years and has served as features editor for the Recorder, editor for the Athol Daily News and most recently covered state and regional issues.