The BHH Corona Chronicles

Scientists tell us that a virus is not a living organism, but this “Novel Coronavirus” has at times seemed not only alive but intelligent, even diabolical, in how it has brought an entire civilization to its knees. The wide range of symptoms it produces, from mild fever to an excruciating death, seem to be capriciously assigned to its victims, as if for spite. The virus seems to be able to target the weak and vulnerable using the same kind of ruthless Darwinian instincts evident in alpha predators.

This mystifying array of attributes might explain the equally disparate range of responses we have seen around the world, and especially here in the US. Those who have experienced firsthand its malevolence, in one way or another, have a righteous fear and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to defang this silent enemy. Those whose only reference point is COVID’s weaker cousin, the influenza virus, are perhaps understandably skeptical of its well-publicized notoriety. Sure enough, as if it has detected this disunity, the virus seems to have successfully employed the age-old strategy of “divide and conquer.” Here in the US, the most powerful country on earth, with 160,000 dead citizens and counting, with our commerce shut down, COVID-19 is wreaking medical and economic havoc and changing everything. 

Like every other organization, BHH’s operations have been severely affected by the collective defensive measures that have been required. As an essential service provider, we have had to find ways of meeting the increased needs of our community despite the restrictions. If there is a silver lining to be found anywhere in this cloud of catastrophe, it may be that the lessons we are learning are likely to improve the efficiency and impact of our programs in the future. 

Our drive-thru feeding operations, now in place in all four of our pantry-bag distribution locations, have increased the speed and efficiency of those operations, and we are now feeding more people in less time than ever before. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will read about the additional flexibility we can now offer to all future Job Training students because of the online learning platform and services we have had to implement. Through the magic of Zoom, our volunteer job mentors are meeting with students across state and national boundaries. Our “Conversation Café” ESOL classes now include students who can be physically located in different countries. Necessity, they say, is the mother of all invention, and these innovations could prove to be of immense value going forward. 

Other changes will help us to be safe in our reopening strategy. We anticipate that as the impacts of the crisis continue, we will see more clients needing help to reenter the job market and seeking assistance with finances, including the cost of childcare. So, pending the authorization of further reopening phases by our state and local governments, we are preparing our Resource Center now for the eventual resumption of in-person interviews for our Job Training candidates and those seeking financial assistance, adding “sneeze shields” and floor signage to promote safe distancing. We are also planning for how to safely resume in-person Job Readiness classes while continuing to offer the online alternative. Because our clients are being fed, we can consider deferring the reopening of our Food Center until congregate meals can be safely accommodated.

We do not know how and when this challenging episode of our collective lives will end, but we intend to use the lessons we are learning during this battle for survival to improve our services, looking forward to a time when we can safely emerge from our “bunkers.”