Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Of course, the most serious and poignant effects of the pandemic are the souls lost to the faceless killer among us. Staying healthy is the at the top of all of our priorities. I really can’t fathom the idea that some people may still think the whole thing is a farce created with a political agenda.

Among the up front and saddest effects of these times was not being able to properly say goodbye to loved ones who were lost. Their sorrow is unthinkable. Grandparents can’t wait to hug their little ones and many haven’t even seen theirs in months and we are all constantly worried about getting sick.

So how are our fellow “Villens” doing with this nearly year-old nemesis? There are many frustrating points we all had to deal with. I asked, “What was the worst part of the pandemic for you?” Here are some responses:

“Watching Walmart stay opened, packed to the gills while my friend’s health club down the street from there has to close.”

This next lady didn’t mince words: “Never having any time alone … family is here 24/7. And my daughter not being able to travel or finish her junior year in college.”

“High school graduates are not at risk … If we can have supermarkets and churches open why can’t we have a graduation ceremony for these kids … they’ve worked 12 years towards graduation and for some of them it will be the only graduation they enjoy.”

All valid points.

This next comment was a very common complaint: “Remote Learning (is) hard on everyone! But worse for the kids. They don’t get to see their friends and not getting in-classroom instruction, no socialization and they’re young and that’s what it was all about, and we went to school being around your friends anyone in classes with a teacher in person!” A sad part of this unprecedented pandemic.

When I read this next comment, it struck a nerve: “My son is missing out on his high school graduation and I lost my godfather to Covid.”

This quote sums it up: “The hardest thing is seeing and hearing people get Covid, being in the hospital ALONE and dying without a someone close to them. That’s heartbreaking! Graduations, giving birth, college/high school ceremony, parties etc., can all be done (at a later time) bringing back a love one, saying goodbye to a love can never be done!”

Here are some more Covid comments responding to the question “What is the worst part of the pandemic for you?”

“My son’s wedding went from 300 people in Bar Harbor to 4 guests in California!”

“The massive number of deaths due to failure to accommodate human life by wearing a mask.”

“Not spending Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas the way we used to. I’m healthy and no Covid yet so I am very grateful and look forward to a better 2021.”

“Knowing 400,000 loved ones are being missed by someone here in America.”

Our hearts go out to the many people who were lost in Somerville or with connections to the city. We need to keep on wearing our masks and being extra sanitary. I miss hugging my kids. I miss playing piano and entertaining at nursing homes and assisted living centers. I worry constantly about friends and family getting sick.

Like everyone, I look forward to a time when going to the super market isn’t a dangerous task. I hope my family members and a couple of my friends continue to heal from the virus and that with the help of the vaccines we can all stay well. I’m praying that the world heals from 19 and that our country heals from 45.