It's been a difficult several weeks. We are feeling the strong effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment is soaring, deaths racking up everyday. Even in my own personal circle, my loved ones are being furloughed. Friends are losing their loved ones to the virus. It's a scary time.
Turn on the news and every hour of every day we're leading with coronavirus; it's a no brainer. Every morning at 10 a.m. Albany County officials provide a live briefing, updating us with new numbers. Next up, Governor Andrew Cuomo takes his turn, then followed by our President. It's become routine.
But, at what point do people become overwhelmed from our reporting? I feel they already are. When the pandemic first started, my station's viewership was up by an astonishing 75%. Now, viewership continues to be up, but has dropped from the original surge. People are overwhelmed, I know I am. Which is why I search to tell a positive story as often as possible. Personally, I needed to share these types of stories for my own mental health. However, I also find others are also in need of some light in this dark time.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen people in the community really step up.. Simple gestures, such as a mom using chalk drawings to bond with her daughter. A woman who recovered from COVID-19 came together in prayer for those still fighting for their lives. An Albany mom and daughter duo sewed hundreds of masks for healthcare workers.
The community of Glens Falls came out to thank those on the front lines in a very public way, while the known voice of their hockey team went viral sharing some laughs online. A local baker is poking fun on the crazy toilet paper shortage, while being able to keep her small business afloat. This community is inspiring and I'm glad I have the opportunity to share these wonderful stories far beyond their original reach.
One of the first positive stories I told in the midst of this 'new normal' was a teacher's parade in the Guilderland school district. Classes had been out for nearly a month. Students never returned once their 'spring break' ended because of the pandemic. In an effort to go above and beyond for their students, teachers paraded through the town of Guilderland. The staff stayed in their cars to remain socially distant. Their goal was to spread some smiles, and put their students at ease. It can be a very a stressful and uncertain time for these elementary students.
After a handful of days stuck at home, I had the chance to cover this parade. On a snowy Tuesday, I entered the parking lot to interview the organizers. I was almost giddy to have any human interaction (even from a six-foot distance).These parades are a reporter's dream. The colorful decorations, the sounds of the horns, and the smiles of children all make for a wonderful story. But, this parade was much more than just some good visuals. It made me realize how special this moment was for the students, the teachers, and even myself. I left that day with a different outlook. The parade story is available above, or through Youtube.
After that day, I realized I wanted to focus on sharing positive stories as often as I can. And I have done just that. It's important to share the facts, the statistics and the numbers of this pandemic. It's important to educate, but it's important to share hope. People respond to hope.
I, too, hope. I hope for better days ahead. I hope for those fighting this virus and those who have lost their battle. I hope for those who lost their jobs, and those who are struggling while working from home. I hope for the light at the end of the tunnel of this darkness. But, until then, I will continue to try to do my little part. Even if it's just 90 seconds a day, I will share positivity and hope, showing how amazing humans can be in the face of adversity.
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