One Year Gone: What We Learned From Living In Pandemic Jersey

NEW JERSEY - In a strange twist of perspective it feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago when we first heard the words novel coronavirus, COVID-19 and pandemic before they became the overriding factor in our everyday lives.

We think of a time before:

• A time to hug loved ones without fear.
• A time to shop without masks and shields.
• A time to dine out.
• A time to participate in sports.
• A time to see a move, a show or concert.

In the world we see now we see so much of what we have lost. Like in-person learning and socialization and holiday celebrations. And while we have been inundated with hardships and difficulty over the last 365, there have been some positive things we learned along the way. Mostly be necessity.

In my role as a Patch field editor I have spoken with dozens of officials throughout the pandemic and discussed with them what they learned and two stuck out to me. One was Mendham Township Mayor Sarah Neibart.

"Technology has not only assisted in our communication with loved ones, but virtual meetings have replaced in-person embraces, celebrations, and grieving ceremonies. In public, we limit our proximity to others and wear masks. We clean our hands vigorously to such an extent that flu cases are at an all-time low and liquor companies have started producing hand-sanitizer," she told Patch.

But Neibart also was cognizant of the struggles we faced this year.

"Many, who are lucky enough to have employment, have had to juggle the work-from-home atmosphere while perhaps also homeschooling their kids. Others have lost their jobs as a result of the economic crisis accompanying the public health one."There have been over 700,000 New Jerseyans that have tested positive for the virus, many who have dealt with complications, and unfortunately, over 21,000 New Jerseyans have died from COVID-19."

And as valuable as I find the perspective of local government I also find the plight of educators fascinating and essential. So many told me how they learned to adapt and struggled to do their best under shifting guidelines no matter what the teaching mode they were forced to teach in.

Dr. Christina Van Woert, superintendent of schools in Chester, perhaps said it best.

"I am truly heartened by the courage and dedication our faculty have shown toward the children of Chester. It has been their steadfast resolve to provide our children with some sense of educational normalcy during this tenuous time that has reminded us that no matter what the circumstance our children deserve and need to find the magic of childhood in their day to day experiences," she said. "Our educators and our parents have made certain of this by creating a community that has been committed to caring for our children and making sure that their needs come first."

So these lessons, learned during the COVID crisis, led me to thinking about what my time has learned over the course of the last year. So I asked them to share some of their thoughts for your benefit.

Karen Wall, who covers some place named Brick among other spots said that she learned a little bit about noise filtering.

"I have learned how critical it is to my peace to shut out the 'noise' that surrounds us sometimes, even if just for a few hours, and to make time for myself to do nothing. I didn't do enough of that in the last year. I get really cranky when I don't take the time."

Sarah Salvadore who covers places like Princeton said she used technology to connect with her extended family on ZOOM and that when everyone resumes their social lives she will miss their pixelated faces.

"I also taught me how important it is to make time and stay connected with your loved ones, especially if they live on a different continent."

Hoboken's own Caren Lissner said she got a lesson in pressure.

"I’ve learned that I have to ignore the pressure to run in a million directions at once and do my best at the things that matter. And I’ve learned to be thankful for any moment when my loved ones are healthy."

Carly Baldwin said she took solace in nature.

"The pandemic taught me to recognize there are things I cannot control in life, and probably never will. So I had to focus on what I can control: Drink less alcohol. Eat healthier food to keep my body and immunity strong, so I am more resistant to a deadly virus. Appreciate nature and take more hikes, walks. Find healthy pastimes and hobbies. Realize it's OK to still love people you deeply disagree with."

Anthony Bellano who covers a large swath of south Jersey said that he learned to appreciate indoor dining, not having to wear a mask at a restaurant and no longer having panic attacks.

"I will not miss having panic attacks."

Josh Bakan, who began the pandemic covering the Jersey shore before traveling north to take on parts of Morris and Somerset county said that he spent "way too much" time to organize his thoughts on the subject.

"I learned that it's not only easy but necessary to communicate with people from different parts of the country and the world. Social media is a boon in this regard. Too many journalists only report on major events through the eyes of government officials. And even if those events are reported accurately, they still only provide a limited perspective.

During the summer of protests, I saw things in major cities through the eyes of people on the ground, which gave me a more complete timeline of events that culminated in riots. When Texas froze over, I spoke to people who felt truly abandoned and volunteers helping others survive through mutual aid.

During the insurrection of the Capitol, I learned interesting things from people overseas who had to endure U.S.-based coup attempts. After the recent U.S. airstrike, I spoke to Syrians and refugees from Syria who told me their personal experiences with their nation's civil war and American intervention.

It seems too easy to minimize tragedy if we can't see the suffering with our own eyes. This also applies to the collective losses we've endured during the pandemic. Unlike the attacks on 9/11, the pandemic hasn't universally implanted any horrific imagery into our minds that gives everyone a sense of the tragedy we are dealing with. Many have lost loved ones, lost jobs, faced death or worked with patients clinging to life through a ventilator. But there's no universal image to make the world truly comprehend the collective suffering. We can only begin to understand by communicating with and listening to others.

If you're reading this, you have an internet connection, and you can share this learning experience with me."

For myself, north Jersey Field Editor Russ Crespolini, I learned to appreciate not only my family and friends but my job and my colleagues. I learned who you can count on when faced with adversity and who you can't. I saw this pandemic bring out the ugliest, harshest and worst parts of people while at the same time it brought out the most inspiring, beautiful and amazing parts in others. And my hope is that when this pandemic fades I am able to forget the details of the awful and retain the clarity of the good.

But what about you, Patch readers? What did you learn during the last year? Drop us a line in the comments or email russ.crespolini@patch.com