To the Editor:

While I applaud the federal government for the passage of their Coronavirus Stimulus Packages to ease the economic impact of the current crisis, I cannot help but wonder if we could not be helping each other a bit more. As workers in many industries are forced out of work and will be relying on government support to feed and house their families, I ask is there any sort of “pay it forward” (or perhaps in this case backward) that might help.

What if manufacturers large and small saw this an opportunity to do the morally correct and patriotic thing by manufacturing the medical supplies and equipment needed at minimal profit margins instead of hiking prices?

What if banks were willing to freeze mortgages for those out of work instead of relying on the government to drastically increase unemployment benefits so their profits continue unabated?

What if landlords would forgive rents for businesses forced to close their doors — and banks would freeze mortgages on these commercial properties in the same manner as for unemployed workers so small businesses would not need to rely on government and/or government backed loans (to be turned into grants) to have a physical place of business to reopen when the need for virus mitigation closures has passed?

What if everyone currently in possession of more than one month’s supply of toilet paper would return it to the store so those who need it could purchase it? Or better yet, SHARE it with their neighbors.

What if everyone with a yard put in a victory garden — sharing seeds with their neighbors as a pack of seeds for most vegetables is enough to supply several families?

What if everyone who is not thrown out of work by this crisis would donate a portion of their earnings to local food banks, shelters and or their local hospital’s “coronavirus supplies fund”?

I am sure each of you reading this can think of other small and large ideas of ways we can all help each other and share the burdens of this epidemic. Resolve to put into play those within your power to do so.

I know some of my suggestions would require much communication between individuals, businesses and government. One hundred years ago this might have been impossible, but with today’s technology I believe it would be relatively easy.

We need to recognize that this epidemic is going to cause hardships and temporarily if not permanently change the way we do some things in America. It is time for the American people to learn share not only thoughts and prayers but also resources and hardships but most importantly to share a resolve to get thru hard times by working together and to share hope.

Kaysea Crowe

Franklin