It is unbelievable how respectfully people sometimes treat each other.
It’s just a shame that it always takes an unpleasant event like the Corona pandemic.
Shortly after the measures to contain the infection went into effect, numerous notes were found on mailboxes offering help from the neighborhood. Books, food, and even toilet paper were provided free of charge by neighbors for neighbors. The “everyone thinks only of himself” familiar to us from the past was not to be found here. In the churches, masses of food and things for daily needs were given away by better-off people and made available to the needier families. All students in our school district received complimentary breakfast and lunch, even during Home Schooling. All they had to do was pick it up. This support will continue for the entire 2020/2021 school year.
The government made a one-time payment to all residents.
The providers themselves reduced insurance premiums, electricity prices, and telephone costs, and installment payment options were set up. It was forbidden to give the notice to vacate apartments in the event of rent arrears.
Teachers missed their students and sent video messages. (here ->) In turn, the students copied the teachers and sent messages to the entire school staff, including secretaries, cooks, and security guards. Every week the principals contacted the parents and informed them about the news.
In front of the schools, there were signs encouraging students to persevere. The students were asked if they were well and had enough to eat daily. Opportunities were created to get online health advice, and psychological support services were developed.
The technology for the students is provided free of charge (incl. the Internet). In our school district alone, around 80,000 students have been equipped with laptops, some with cell phones, and 100 school buses have been converted into mobile hotspots.
Then in May, there was an extraordinary event. The Air Force Thunderbirds toured the U.S. to express gratitude to the many helpers dealing with this disaster. May 13 was the day. For the first time in weeks, large crowds were on their feet to watch the spectacle. And there was the first real traffic jam in weeks!
One day, when normalcy returns to everyday life, and we can look at this pandemic with greater detachment, these moments will remind us of what we can get through. On that note, with Austin High School’s motto: “Loyal forever, wherever!”