Newsletter – April 2020
Even as I sit down to write this at the beginning of April, the community continues to be in the grips of COVID-19 infections still on the rise not only here in Hawaii but across the country and still in other parts of the world. I am sure that it has been challenging in more than just the “Shelter in Place” order in many fronts to many families and individuals and it is getting difficult in multitudes of ways. These are the times when I would continue urge extreme caution as we cannot let our guard down as a community unless we have clear indication that we have successfully flattened the epidemiological spread of the disease by blunting the peak. The reality and success of this strategy mandates that we continue our practice of physical distancing and unnecessary venturing into crowded places for a longer period as the circulation of the disease in the community at lower rates is prolonged by this process. So as has been alluded to by many experts we are entering a phase changing social norm for several months to come to overcome this pandemic. We also need to accept the fact that SARS-CoV2 virus has now become a part of our ecosystem and we will continue to see community cases as this new human disease will linger around during our life time.
In these difficult times, although LOTUS has no formal structure to help the community, the leadership would be happy to be approached with requests for help and/or suggestions for how we can help the community. The Community Advisory Board and the Leadership are open to figure out avenues in which we could potentially be of service. Please do not hesitate to communicate via email or through our website.
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-flatten-the-curve.html (accessed on 4/5/2020)
Since the Oahu order for “Shelter in Place/Home” extends through to the end of April, I would recommend that we do not gather as a group including our regular 3rd Sunday gathering scheduled for April 19th. The leadership will communicate alternate plans as the month progresses. We will potentially look for opportunities to have some virtual events this month. Again suggestions from the community on these proposed activities are most welcome.
April is further full of events. Ramanavami was on the 2nd and Hanuman Jayanthi is coming up later this week. Many a well know Indians of the past also celebrate their birthdays this month. The Tamil new year “Putthandu” will be celebrated April 13/14. The globe will celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd – an opportunity for us to connect up with nature and preservation of things around us.
I take this opportunity to thank all of our community members who are doing their best to combat our current global crisis which includes the likes of first responders, health care workers, utility workers, and other people who are trying to support the unemployed and the small business owners in trying to deal with the situation on hand.
Please also be very mindful of the challenges of “Shelter in Place” and practice deliberate kindness and thoughtful actions. Please also reach out to people who are less fortunate and provide any form of support that you are able to. Above all, please be patient, continue to practice physical distancing and help us all collectively overcome the acute impact of COVID-19.
Be Safe and with warm aloha.
Venkataraman Balaraman
President
LOTUS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
