Not knowing can be challenging
Dear reader and friend,
We picked this issue’s cover image because it says so much about where we’re at now—keeping distance from each other but remembering to stay together. Global issues of this magnitude will take teamwork and persistence. Hang in there, we will.
As I write this, much of the world has come to a halt and 90% of Americans are sheltered at home. This is an unprecedented time in our history. The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on the health of our loved ones, the businesses we rely on, the health of the global economy, and the way we lead our daily lives. No one knows for how long the present measures will last or how extensively the virus has spread. Our collective courage, generosity and resilience will determine how future generations reflect on our actions.
Not knowing leads to feelings of insecurity, a condition we all find difficult to manage. When we lack information, the brain draws us to speculate, create “what ifs.” The greatest evolutionary function of fear and anxiety is to help us survive. When constructive, it can make us empathetic, productive and help us focus on the problem. Let us do that, try to quiet the noise from pundits and act rationally. Advice and guidance from medical officials are abundant. Keep your distance (no contact—no worries), refrain from touching your face, wash your hands often.
In recent weeks, news reports of hoarding of certain goods have been common. Logically, we know we do not need three bales of toilet paper, but when we see someone fill their entire cart, we concern ourselves with the “what ifs” and fill our own. In order to plan for the future we must think rationally, consider the whole. The seemingly insignificant actions of the few holds greater influence than one might think. Turn to page 5 for a more thorough discussion on this.
You won’t see our usual events listing in this issue but rest assured, any cancelations are caused by the desire to fight the coronavirus. In our almost 150 years, Swedish America has weathered every storm conceivable—and NORDSTJERNAN hasn’t missed a beat. Since our first issue in 1872, it has held our community together through good times and bad, through war and peace, epidemics, political change and the Great Depression. We will continue to serve you with a printed copy in the mail to safeguard this tradition and hopefully hold our community together at a time when physical distance is paramount.
Please be safe and stay healthy.
Ulf
P.S. The situation in both the U.S. and in Sweden is changing daily—those of you who are looking for daily summaries from Sweden, please go to our website, www.nordstjernan.com
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The Editor & Publisher
Inte som andra bloggar.... this entry will be sometimes in Swedish, sometimes 'på svenska' - Just så händelsrikt är livet som utgivare av Amerikas äldsta och numera enda Svenska tidskrift.
Här ovan poserar jag “on location” kl 6 på morgonen i Minneapolis St. Paul för två år sedan. Henrik Olund tog bilden som förberedelse för en porträttbild av Vice President Walter Mondale. (Det var en bra intervju med en bra person) Jag skriver sällan med byline i Nordstjernan men jag är alltid ansvarig för innehållet, även om jag inte alltid håller med om allt.
(PS. Intervjun med Mondale hittar ni på nordicreach.com DS.) |