Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

 

On the wall in my living room hangs a wooden sign that reads: “Believe there is good in the world.”

Certain letters are painted a different color so that when the reader looks at the sign, there is actually a second message that sticks out: “Be the good.”

I like it because it reminds me regularly of the responsibility we each have to lift up others around us and motivate them to do the same to others.

I’ve thought about that sign a lot over the weekend as I’ve contemplated what our state and nation — and literally most of the world — are dealing with right now with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In our part of the world, people are staying home as directed by our state and health officials as much as possible. Churches are canceling services or switching to online formats, schools will soon be taught through distance learning and many businesses have reduced services. When we’re all essentially ordered to stay away from each other as much as possible to prevent the spread of the virus, how can we purposefully choose to “be the good,” like the sign suggests?

Though it may look different than how we’ve helped our friends and neighbors in the past, there are still many ways we can lift up others in need at this time.

Our decision to follow the advice of local and state health authorities and stay home is in essence the easiest thing we can do to show kindness to each other in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.

Aside from that, the United Way of Freeborn County is organizing an effort for people interested in volunteering and checking in with residents to make sure needs are met.

Bored at home, people can become a part of a statewide volunteer effort organized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Allina Health, which calls for people to sew and donate masks for doctors, nurses and other medical staff. Volunteers need to use a CDC-compliant pattern to create the masks out of 100% cotton fabric for the front of the mask with soft, high-quality, tightly woven 100% cotton flannel should be used for the back. Masks can be donated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 through April 5 at various hospitals throughout the state, including Owatonna Hospital in Owatonna and District One Hospital in Faribault, and they will be immediately sent to laundry sites at the health facilities to be sanitized for medical use. People can send questions to susan.schuster@bluecrossmn.com.

Already running to the store to grab a few groceries? Help out an elderly neighbor by grabbing a few things for them, as well. This will help them avoid the crowds at the store and stay indoors.

Aside from that, you can call or email a friend or neighbor to see how they are doing or send them a letter in the mail to let them know you are thinking of them.

We know there are a lot of good things happening out there in the community, and we encourage you to contact us at the newspaper and tell us about them. Let us share your light with all of Albert Lea and the surrounding area.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.