OpiniOn

For the first time, the coronavirus last week surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. So, no, it’s not just like the flu.

About every five days, 10,000 Americans die from the disease – about 2,000 a day. So, no, it’s not going to magically disappear.

Denying the seriousness of COVID-19 and minimizing its threat to public health haven’t helped. It’s worse than ever in this country, and scientists say we haven’t seen the worst.

As confirmed cases surge in the second wave, many of the nation’s hospitals are overwhelmed. In McHenry County, only 5 percent of medical/surgical beds were available at the end of the day Friday, and less than 11 percent of ICU beds were empty.

Check the COVID-19 table on Page 3 of The Independent today to understand the rising numbers of new cases and deaths reported locally.

In June, 85 percent of deaths in the county were people who lived in long-term care facilities. As of Friday, that number had fallen to 64 percent, which should be cause for alarm.

That should be no surprise. By mid-summer, the age group responsible for the most confirmed cases in McHenry County was 20 to 29 – the most socially active (selfish? reckless?) sector of the population. While they might not be dying from the virus, they’re spreading it to older people who are more vulnerable.

But it might be only a matter of time before younger people suffer serious consequences. As of Friday, nearly 48 percent of confirmed cases of COVID-19 were in people 40 and younger.

And who knows what are the long-term effects of having contracted but survived the virus. Gambling with your health is dangerous.

A record-breaking 227,00 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the U.S. on Friday alone – the We’re running out of beds. What are we going to do, doctor?

first time the daily case count had topped 220,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. death toll over the weekend exceeded 275,000 for the year, and projections show that number could double by March.

Make no mistake. This pandemic is deadly serious.

The good news is, vaccines should be available this month – for health care workers first, and then for at-risk citizens. Those are primarily residents of long-term care facilities.

Most of the population, however, has months to

They might have some spares in there.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY LUKE GOINS

wait before being inoculated.

That means for the public good – call it your civic obligation – hang in there a few more months doing the things the medical community is asking of us:

Wear a mask in public; avoid crowds when you can, and keep your distance from others when you can’t; wash your hands regularly; stay home if you possibly can.

Let’s survive this winter surge, let the vaccine get us past the virus, and learn from this frightening episode how better to live with the next pandemic.

I am rather upset by the Woodstock Santa Hut this year not having a Santa, and I understand why, because of the worldwide virus problem, even though I thought there could have been a safe way of having Santa from afar but still being in the hut. And my surprise was that they were having a Santa at the Opera House for the kids.

I had brought up the idea of having a barrier just after you went into the Santa’s Hut, about six to eight feet away, so the children could at least talk to Santa and leave a letter or Christmas list in a box by the door. And the hut being in the open air would make it safer.

I have been a Santa for the Woodstock Lions Club for 38 years, never missed a year, even the year my daughter died just a few days before Christmas, and for over 20 of those years I ran and organized the Santa Hut program with fellow Lions, such as Henry, Ralph, and many others.

The Santa’s Hut has been around for many, many years, and the people who got me involved was the old Mr. Bohn and Mr. Buschkopf, using his old office at the pharmacy to get changed. This would have been my 39th year serving as Santa (I mean, Santa’s helper), like many others who have helped out over the years the Lions for many years before me, and in the last few years the Woodstock Rotary Club.

I am sorry and feel bad that I will not be your Santa this year for all the kids and parents I have seen over the years. Merry Christmas, and hope to see you next year.

God bless you all.

John Cole (Santa) Woodstock

20, as the result of an automobile accident. He fell asleep at the wheel after an exceptionally long work week.

Just six months later, “Stuff the Stocking for Zach” was born. Zach was an only child, and this fundraiser was created as something positive for his family to focus on during the holidays, as well as a means of benefiting the community while honoring something Zach was passionate about.

Zach was an Eagle Scout, and from a very young age he felt compelled to help others less fortunate than himself. He truly believed that a little kindness went a long way, and always tried to bestow kindness upon others whenever possible. Continued on Next page

I credit Peter Anderson with opening my eyes and heart to Howard Thurman. Peter concluded his and Patty’s 2013 Christmas letter with Thurman’s poem “The Work of Christmas Begins.”

Many of you will remember the Andersons. Peter was principal of Northwood Middle School in the 1990s, and Patty owned Daybreak Bookstore. Their children Jeremy, Jill, and Nick were active in D-200 schools and the community.

I closed my Christmas Declarations that year with “The Work of Christmas Begins,” crediting both men – Howard Thurman for writing the poem and Peter for sharing it.

In 2014, I found a reference to the Rev. Thurman’s poem “I Will Light Candles this Christmas,” which included “The Work of Christmas Begins” as a second stanza. So beginning that year, I closed my Christmas Declarations with the two poems combined as one.

I had an aha-moment last week when Jim and I started using Presbyterian Today’s Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020. The devotional’s introduction stated that it brings “the inspiring words of Howard Thurman’s poem ‘I Will Light Candles this Christmas.’” But the poem that was printed didn’t include what I thought was its second stanza. I researched more and learned I had been combining two poems as one.

Sorry for leading you down this rabbit hole, but my passion for truth wants to set the record straight.

This week, let’s focus on the Rev. Thurman’s poem “I will Light Candles this Christmas.” Cheryl Wormley We will leave “The Declarations Work of Christmas Begins” for later in the month.

By Howard Thurman

I will light candles this Christmas,

Candles of joy despite all the sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,

Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all year long.

The poem has even more meaning for me, knowing that the Rev. Thurman, who was born in 1899, led a delegation of African Americans to India in 1935 when he met Mohandas Gandhi. He left India with an understanding of and commitment to nonviolent resistance, which shaped a generation of civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr.

The poem’s message is timeless. Sadness, despair, fears, tempest-tossed days, and heavy burdens are everpresent, so joy, hope, courage, peace, grace, and love are always needed.

Its message is right-on for this year. COVID-19 invaded our lives and our community in March. Schools were shuttered. Businesses, churches, and entertainment venues were closed. Weddings, funerals, graduations, and family gatherings and celebrations were postponed or rethought. Nursing and group home residents were confined to their rooms, and their helpers were taxed, and on and on. We’ve all had tempest-tossed days, sadness, heavy burdens, despair, and fear.

Despite all of that, we are blessed. Christmas is just a few weeks away, and the reason for the season awaits our devotion. Churches are planning virtual worship services; families are rethinking their gatherings; and people are reaching out to help one another. As we wait for Christmas, we will light candles, because there is something comforting about the soft glow of burning candles.

Join me in lighting candles of joy, hope, courage, peace, grace, and love.

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Woodstock Independent. Her email address is c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com.

Continued from Previous page

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to sponsor the fourth-grade museum field trip as in years past, so this year’s fundraiser will focus on bringing hope and joy into people’s hearts during these troubling and uncertain times. All proceeds will go to our “Share the Love” Valentine’s Weekend Giveaway, when we will be surprising people throughout the area with random acts of kindness in Zach’s memory!

Gifts may include anything from flower deliveries to local shut-ins, food for families in need, toys for hospitalized children, and much more. We may pay for someone’s groceries, fill their tank with gas, pay for their meal at a restaurant, or pop in and take care of someone’s veterinary bill. The possibilities are endless!

We also plan to support local businesses by purchasing gift cards we can distribute for goods and services. If you know of a particular family in need, please reach out and we will do our best to include them in our giveaway. Monetary donations or gift cards to local dining establishments, as well as grocery and/or gas cards, may be sent to Diane Brokaw, 8912 Ill. Route 120, Woodstock, IL 60098.

» OUR POLICY

n We welcome letters of general interest to the community. n We reserve the right to edit for clarity, content, and length. n Please limit letters to 400 words.

Longer submissions may be considered for a guest column. n Letters must be signed and include the writer’s address and a Zelle and PayPal may also be used by selecting the Friends & Family option, and using dianebrokaw@juno.com.

Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will be accepted through Jan. 10, 2021. If any questions, call 815-276-4194.

Please help me end this year on a positive note by continuing to honor my son’s legacy, and let’s start off the new year by spreading some much needed love and joy! Thank you, one and all.

Diane Brokaw

Woodstock telephone number, which will be used for verification purposes only. It will not be published. n Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication. n Email letters to pr@thewoodstock independent.com or mail or drop them off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

$75 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $77 in McHenry County. $82 for snowbirds and $90 outside McHenry County.

We strive for accuracy. To suggest corrections or clarifications, email news@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

PUBLISHER Cheryl Wormley c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com EDITOR Larry Lough larry@thewoodstockindependent.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Kucharski sandy@thewoodstockindependent.com PHOTOGRAPHER Ken Farver ken@thewoodstockindependent.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dianne Mitchell dianne@thewoodstockindependent.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Jen Wilson jen@thewoodstockindependent.com ADVERTISING Katy O’Brien katy@thewoodstockindependent.com ADMINISTRATION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Rebecca McDaniel subs@thewoodstockindependent.com

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At the Thoughtfulness Shop/Little Bow Peeps on the Square, owners Craig and Janice Ricci Wilcox are “masked up” to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The Independent wants you to join your neighbors by sending in a photo of members of your family, club, office, or other group wearing your masks. Please email it to woodstock4all@thewoodstockindependent.com. We’re all in this together, Woodstock. SHOW OFF YOUR MASKS!

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