The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer.
Will Rogers, American actor, cowboy, humorist and social commentator from my home state of Oklahoma, was famous for a few great sayings, including one that is very relevant in todayβs world. βThe best way out of a difficulty is through it.β Folks, right now, we are smack dab in the middle of a real difficulty.
There is no precedent for what we are experiencing today. We have been challenged in ways we would have never thought of just a few months ago. Businesses are struggling to survive, our heroic health care workforce is facing new and larger pressures on a daily basis. Students are not at school with their friends, graduation ceremonies have been postponed. Computers have become the new conference room β and face masks have become part of our daily wardrobe.
People from every walk of life β from nonprofits to churches, corporations to local mom and pop shops β are stepping up and stepping in to help each other meet immediate needs and get us through this together. Tucsonans are caring people, giving their time and resources at a time when it is needed the most.
And this is not just about giving. As a community, we are adapting to meet needs as well.
For instance, Tucsonans are supporting our world-class restaurants by purchasing takeout or delivery, often several times a week. Numerous people in our community are making masks to help our heroes in health care and each other. We are following social distance protocols regularly and taking all the recommended steps to contain the spread of this terrible virus, and retail stores are providing those who are most at risk with dedicated times and assistance to shop.
Many of our local organizations like United Way, the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, the Red Cross, Community Food Bank and more are providing essential resources for those in need as well, including food, baby formula, diapers, rental assistance, child care and other critical services.
It is a blessing to me to know that the impact of these generous responses is helping folks right here in Tucson. When people say βTucson Strong,β you do not have to look far to see help in motion.
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As local organizations rally to help move us through these difficulties, what ca0n each of us do to keep help in motion?
Exercise compassion. Responses to tough times come in many different forms. Treating one another with kindness and compassion will go a long way in softening the hard edges that this situation has created.
Lend a hand to those in need. This pandemic has put many of our fellow citizens in some vulnerable places. I challenge you to consider one daily act of service, and I promise that you will be as blessed as those you serve.
Honor the spirit of hope. Iβm encouraged that brighter days are ahead.
Moving through these difficulties means setting your sights on the other side of them. Instead of getting stuck in the now, try to imagine what you, your families and your friends will be able to do together in the not-too-distant future.
I am both humbled and encouraged by the response of our community to the needs of so many. Indeed, this too shall pass away, and we will come through this difficulty stronger than ever before.
I am proud to be part of this special place we call home, and my team and I are proud to do our part to keep Tucson safe and moving forward while facing these unprecedented challenges. Letβs all keep doing everything we can to keep #TucsonStrong.
Photos for April 11: Tucson gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman via telephone, April 9, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman near a photo of Betty and her husband, Susan's dad, Bill, circa 2105, April 9, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Ben Forbes, left, owner of Forbes Meat Company, helps Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, right owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, wrap up tortilla's for to-go carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone. Forbes wanted to find a way to help out the restaurant community. "They are struggling and my business is exploding," said Forbes.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
David Clark, left, out of work bartender, and Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, practice social distancing while waiting to give out carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
David Sbarra, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, points his webcam at his children Margot, 9, and Mateo, 12, as he begins his introduction of his office hours for a class he now conducts over Zoom in his living room while teaching from home, on April 7, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Ben Elias, manager at Westbound, center, helps Dustin Schaber with his pickup order on April 8, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) only two customers are allowed in the shop, located at the MSA Annex, at the same time and all orders are to-go.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Laura Tanzer, a local fashion designer, posted on Facebook that she will make masks for $5.00 each on April 5. Tanzer thought she would receive a couple of dozen orders, but, within 24 hours she heard from over 200 people. Tanzer is now working out of her shop in downtown Tucson making masks that also has a filter sowed into them. Tanzer is wearing one of her masks as she sows on April 8, 2020.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Oro Valley Hospital chief administration officer Erinn Oller talks with Fang, a local organizer with the Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief AZ group, which donated 6,000 masks, on April 9, 2020. Additional mask donations are planned as soon as shipments arrive.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at Tucson area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Benny Galaz, owner of BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs, cooks up Sonoran hot dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. Galaz is giving free food to healthcare workers at Tucson area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at Tucson area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
A man uses the taped off exercise station in Reid Park as an anchor for his band workout, April 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Alicia Roseanna, 9, fourth grader at Esperanza Elementary School, grabs a sheet of paper while listening to her teacher, Rachel Watson, and her classmates inside her home in Tucson, Ariz. during Watson's online class on April 7, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) closing down schools and universities, teachers and students have been forced to schedule and participate in classes online for the remainder of the school year.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
COVID-19 survivor, Glen Reed, poses for a photo looking out from the room he's using for isolation from his family in his home, April 10, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. Reed spent nearly a month in the hospital including weeks in ICU on a ventilator.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
ER and EMS workers run through a drill practicing how to process an incoming patient experiencing a respiratory emergency at the Tucson Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Tucson Fire Paramedic personnel prepare to run a drill at the Tucson Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
The CDC recommends Americans wear a facial covering when out in public, part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Above, shopping for spring blooms at Tucsonβs Green Things Nursery.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) signs taped onto dorms at the Babcock Dorms. The rooms located at 1717 E Speedway Boulevard may be used to house hospital workers from Banner - University Medical Center if they need to be quarantined due to COVID-19.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Alex Swain, a member of Beloved in the Desert - Tucson's chapter of the Episcopal Service Corps, packs the trunk of his housemate's SUV in the parking lot of Fry's on 2480 N Swan Road after grocery shopping for an elderly man, on April 3, 2020. Swain and his housemates have volunteered to shop for elderly and at risk populations as people quarantine and stay at home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Julisa Montano, a bus driver with Sunnyside Unified School District, gathers up the last few meals to hand out to students outside of Gallego Primary School, on April 7, 2020. The school district is distributing meals and has wifi available for students to use for school.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
A table is taped off at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 5, 2020 due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Tucson City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Rich DelVecchio, a Fred Enke Golf Course employee, sanitizes a golf cart. Course revenues at Tucsonβs city-owned golf properties are up nearly 28% from the same period last year.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson in photos, coronavirus pandemic
Updated
May 28, 2024
Golfers practice social distancing while on the driving range at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 5, 2020. With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Tucson City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Jim Click Jr. is president of the Jim Click Automotive Team and president of the Click Family Foundation.