‘Your colleague that keeps sharing memes, making light of the situation? They’re scared, grounding themselves through humor.’: Woman says ‘social distancing doesn’t mean turning our backs on one another’

“Be gentle.

That non-essential business that was just ordered to close? It may not be essential to you, but it’s essential to the owners. Closing their doors was harder than the blood, sweat, and tears they put into opening it.

So be gentle.

That mom upset about the playground closing? That was the 30-minute break in her daily schedule she looked forward to most. That 30 minutes re-energized her for the next 4 hours. Now she doesn’t know how she will make it through the day.

So be gentle.

Your colleague that keeps sharing memes, making light of the situation? They are taking it seriously. They are scared. They are grounding themselves through humor, the only way they know how.

So be gentle.

The father with a cart overflowing with food? He’s not hoarding. He’s picking up groceries for his family, his elderly mom, and his sick neighbor.

So be gentle.

We understand the importance of staying home, but we don’t understand what others are going through.

So be gentle.

Social distancing doesn’t mean turning our backs on one another.”

This story was written by Kristen Epstein. You can follow her family’s journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read about amazing acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic:

‘I put down my window. She handed me a bag and said, ‘We want to thank you for what you’re doing. You and all truckers working hard to keep our supply lines open.’: Truck driver ‘touched’ by stranger’s act of kindness during pandemic

‘An older gentleman stopped us and asked, ‘Do you know how to make a cheese sandwich?’ He was veteran, and he didn’t know how to cook.’: Woman urges ‘don’t forget the Marks in the world who need you to say hello’

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