When we woke up New Year’s Morning, 2020, I don’t think any of us imagined where we'd be today. We might have thought that it was a Presidential election year, or that it was a census year and we all needed to be counted,[2] or just wondered what the economy would do.
Instead, on December 31, China reported 40 cases of pneumonia, which we now know as COVID, to the World Health Organization (WHO). On January 10, WHO issued guidance on the new disease, on January 21, the first case in the United States was confirmed, and on February 3, the U.S declared a public health emergency. COVID has now spread across the United States -- with about 5% of the world’s population, we now have more than 25% of the world’s cases (more than 5 million out of more than 20 million total cases). More than 160,000 have died already -- more than all the U.S. combat deaths in all wars (except W.W. II) since 1900 combined. And the number keeps growing.
This summer, we heard about another horrific event -- the death of George Floyd while he was being restrained by the police for almost nine minutes, while crying out that he couldn’t breathe. That event reminded us many other problems faced by many of our neighbors in “living while black.” The outburst of protests across the United States in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement and the importance of confronting the systemic aspects of racism – whether intended or simply accepted on a subconscious basis – has become another major aspect of life this summer.
What we also see is the interaction between these two concerns, as communities of color and lower-income groups are the hardest hit by COVID. Now, we face the hurricane season (starting at the earliest date ever), which leaves us with a perfect storm trifecta this year. And, while storms choose their own path, they too are part of this year’s narrative, because it is often low-income communities that must shelter in large, crowded facilities that are perfect breeding grounds for COVIDs. So, what should we be doing as a community?
- First, as to COVID, it appears real progress is being made towards a vaccine, but we’re not there yet and, until we are, we can’t relax our vigilance. Maryland kept down its initial number of cases and deaths, but numbers have been creeping back up. So, remember – wear masks, inside and out whenever you can't ensure physical distancing.
- Second, help others remember these rules but, please, do it calmly and with good will. Screaming, yelling, or calling the police on your neighbors won’t help. (There has been a lengthy discussion on Nextdoor about this, and it's clear we have to approach this as good neighbors and not as enemies.)
- Third, physical distancing doesn’t mean distancing ourselves from each other socially. There are concerns that social isolation may result in emotional problems, up to and including increased suicides. So, find ways to stay in touch with your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Indeed, with many of us home full-time, there may be more chances to wave at your neighbors as you take a walk. (Our dogs think this is all for their benefit, so extend the same concern to everyone else!)
- Fourth, it’s also a time when we can all reflect on the other huge issues facing us this summer. “Black Lives Matter” does not mean that other lives don’t matter -- we all need to honor and respect each person we meet. There is a lot of unfinished business in this society, and the recent death of John Lewis calls us to reflect on those issues. As a practical matter, supporting efforts to “rethink policing,” (which I think is a better way to frame the discussion) means we can all think about what is the best way to deal with issues the police often handle by default – including helping those suffering from emotional upsets arising from the pandemic.
- Fifth – make sure you stay buttoned down if a hurricane arrives!
In the meantime, if you need any information on what the County is doing, what resources are available to you, what the data shows and more, the County has all of this information available at:
[1] With appreciation to the Grateful Dead and their song, Truckin’
[2] During the 1990 census, a Doonesbury cartoon shows the census taker trying to count the homeless couple, Ellery and Gladys, late at night. Ellery waves him off, but the earnest census worker explains, “You don’t understand. We’re from the Government. There are forms!” As a federal employee then, I totally understood! Don't forget to fill out your form and get it in!
WHAT’S GOING ON IN KHCA
· KHCA Signs Need Help
We have several substantial, wooden KHCA signs at the community entrances. At least one is in need of significant carpentry repairs; for the rest, we’d like to have one or more neighbors “adopt a sign” to help maintain them and keep up the landscaping around them. If you have any woodworking skills or a green thumb, please let Karen Cordry know.
· Summer Picnic – September 19, Noon, St. Paul Park
Per our last message, we still want to have our summer picnic this year even with COVID! We have a generous offer from KHCA’s favorite band, the Nighthawks, to play an hour-long acoustic concert for us. There is ample room in the park at McComas and St. Paul for people to set up at a proper distance and wear their masks while we talk. We did get back enough acceptances so we are going to tentatively schedule the picnic for September 19 (rain date, September 20) at noon at St. Paul Park. KHCA will provide burgers and hot dogs (cooked by a person in protective gear) – and you bring your favorites for the rest. Let’s take this opportunity to catch up and to hear a great concert. See you there!
· Kensington Heights History
While spending time at home, I came across a file with a lot of great information about KH history, largely compiled by Allan Savage, husband of long-time former KHCA President, Donna Savage that you may not know. For instance, you all may know there is a Red Orchid Way off of Drumm Ave, south of Plyers Mill. But, did you know, that name came from the fact that there was a well-known orchid greenhouse at that location for many years? Here’s a link to an article about Merritt Huntington who came there in 1963 and eventually owned it for many years until it closed in 2001. Among the notable facts are that the head of counterintelligence of the CIA, Jim Angleton, used to bring visitors to the greenhouse as part of his cover activities. See http://marylandorchids.org/Merritt.html.
Interested in your community? Like history? Want to learn more about where you live? We’d love to get a KHCA History Committee started. Please let Karen Cordry know.
· KHCA Executive Committee and Membership
We wish to express heartfelt gratitude to Jon Foreman for his engagement and participation as a member of KHCA Executive Committee and Chair of the Beautification Committee for the last several years. We wish him well as he moves on in his new community in VA.
We are also working on updating our membership directory and block captain list. If you'd be willing to be captain for your block (and help us get a full update for our directory of our current KHCA neighbors), and/or to join us on the Executive Committee to help keep KHCA vibrant and functioning, just let Karen Cordry know. Click here to email her.
The other part of being involved and helping to keep KHCA going is to become a member (and pay your dues). They're just $10 a year per adult to a maximum of $30 per household, but it really helps to make sure we can cover out (small) expenses we do incur each year. So, if you haven’t already, please go to membership link to make your dues payment and make sure we have your current contact information!
COMPOSTING PROJECT
We have been approached by a group that works with community associations to do home composting of food waste. Although the County has an extensive recycling program for paper and plastics, it doesn't cover the organic waste we generate as we cook. Such waste is a great renewable use that reduces our landfill needs and creates a great gardening resource that comes back to you free. (Participating homes get a free 1.5 cubic foot compost bag twice a year.) The group, the Compost Crew, has a Website, that talks about their program. In a nutshell, most households will probably want a small 1-1.5 gallon container inside, and move the collected waste to a 5 gallon container picked up weekly. (You may want to share that container with a neighbor, which would also allow you to split the cost of the recycling.) The cost of the pickup varies by the number of persons participating, so we are asking people to indicate their interest by filling out this survey if they would be interested in the service. (If we have 75 or more pickups being made, the cost is $16 per month, which could be reduced even more if 2 or more households split a single pickup.) We think this is a great idea and a great way to add to the green character of KHCA. Hope we can make this a real green community effort!
