‘We’ve seen a thing or two ...’
We thought we’d try something different this week. Rather than talk about the state of the world and how people are responding we want to hear about you, the reader. After all, this paper has always been a relationship between the reader and writer.
I recently talked to a reader who’s become a close friend, an inspiration and untiring supporter of Nordstjernan. He was celebrating a major birthday and was just as positive and vibrant as ever. He wanted to share how “the present situation in the world, the corona pandemic presents so much opportunity. It takes a problem to create an opportunity. The problem becomes a trigger for innovation. While humanity for once in history has a common goal, every great mind is working towards solving the crisis, creating a vaccine and to fight this virus we may also need to think ahead. On what happens next. How do we better prepare for a possible next crisis? Is it really right for us to depend on supply chains or manufacturers in other countries when it comes to essential items such as medicines?”
We have yet to see whether this opportunity will present work, medical support, research and innovation that will affect everyday people. What we have is the opportunity to act. While the world is undoubtedly in a dark place, the news is littered with extraordinary gestures of kindness and giving. Several distilleries are distributing hand sanitizer, small businesses handling fabrics have begun producing face masks, and countless grass roots organizations have formed to deliver groceries and other necessities to those most vulnerable to the disease. On a personal note these examples don’t include the things I see everyday, strangers giving masks or roaring applause for healthcare workers.
Where do you see opportunity? Have you found yourself engaged in the community in ways you haven’t before? These days no action is too small, if you have an experience to share please send to editor@nordstjernan.com or to our P.O. Box.
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. So yes, we’ve seen a thing or two. We will continue to serve subscribers with a printed copy in the mail to safeguard this tradition and hopefully hold our community together at a time when physical distance is still paramount.
Dream of future hikes and trips to come, stay safe and be healthy,
Ulf
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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.) |