Inside Sources: Social distancing should include social grace
Mar 19, 2020, 4:29 PM | Updated: Apr 13, 2020, 2:30 pm
FILE PHOTO: SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced Wednesday she would be lifting her week-long curfew, nearly five days before its original end date. (Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — “Social grace goes a long way in times like this. Be kind, be generous, be forgiving.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall uttered those words at a news conference amid the coronavirus pandemic, after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake Wednesday struck just north of Magna, and while the stock market plunged so fast that it set off circuit breakers designed to stop its free-fall.
In addition to social distancing, the mayor also reminded citizens to practice social grace.
Social distancing should include social grace
KSL’s Tim Hughes joined Boyd Matheson on “Inside Sources” to also remind listeners that being prepared in times of stress will remove some of the nervousness you’re feeling.
“Confidence is never arrogance,” Boyd said. “Have respect for the challenge and be prepared for the task.”
Add in some resilience and determination, he noted.
Both Boyd and Tim welcomed President Donald Trump’s announcement that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be suspending all evictions and foreclosures for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages for 60 days.
Good news for workers whose jobs have been put on hold — restaurant and movie theater employees — during the coronavirus pandemic.
Defeat the Invisible Enemy
Vice President Mike Pence announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will “allow all doctors and medical professionals to practice across state lines to meet the needs of hospitals that may arise in adjoining areas.”
More doctors will help balance the expected rise in cases of coronavirus.
President Trump said the Invisible Enemy is always the toughest one to defeat, but vanquished it will be.
Boyd said Americans need to get past the Invisible Enemy of angst, fear, frustration, rage, panic and frantic.
“We’re all in the same boat,” Tim said, adding you shouldn’t care whether the person bailing water out of that boat alongside you is Democrat or Republican.
In these trying times when so much needs to be done, Boyd said, instead of looking for the helpers, be the helpers. Everyone can be the one who does the little thing that makes all the difference, he said.
This is not the new normal, but the new now, Boyd told his listeners, and this storm will pass.
Tim’s advice: You can stress out all you want about things like the stock market collapsing, but learn to control the things that you have control over. Your 401(k) will come back.
Boyd Matheson, Opinion Editor at Deseret News, takes you inside the latest political news and current events, providing higher ground for today’s discussions. Listen weekdays 11 am to noon at 1160 AM and 102.7 FM, online at KSLNewsradio.com, or on the app.
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
- Get a flu shot.
Local resources
State of Utah: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
