One thing COVID-19 can’t effect is Mother Nature. Spring is happening, especially this year with change everywhere we look and the unknown on everyone’s mind. There are industries that will be changed forever and others will morph into our new reality. Much of what we took for granted will become moments of the past.

Cooking has obviously been a part of our daily lives and our professions. We’ve stepped it up a level. Our day pretty much revolves around food: cooking, baking sourdough, foraging, fly fishing, buying local, sowing seeds and enlarging our farming area to grow more food and not just flowers for my wife’s work.

One of several queries this week: How have your meal choices changed? Has your repertoire expanded or do you eat because you have to? Have you climbed aboard the baking train? My curiosity stems from my own self-examination and an internal drive to learn new things daily. It's a work in progress.

For me this whole experience has been an interesting evolution and an emotional roller coaster. Back in March my wife went into self-quarantining after returning home, extremely ill, after traveling abroad. She was one of the first people tested at the Cape Cod Hospital for the virus. The waiting period of four days for results was rough. Getting the all clear call from the doctor was sheer jubilation.

My mother-in-law is in a nursing home here on Cape. Two weeks ago it was national news when our Massachusetts governor deemed it a viral hot spot with 60+ residents out of 92 testing positive for COVID-19, including my MIL. They have been on lockdown since March 7, she remains in quarantine and is fighting symptoms. At age 92, she is a tough one!

Our industry enters a whole new chapter of operations with the new executive order to remain operational. When I heard this news, I immediately flashed on my last plant visit a few months back. The close proximity of workers on the line, the efficiency of the disassembly lines and the speed in which they run to maximize daily production takes armies of employees. They absolutely need to be properly protected.

As a glass half-full kind of person, I believe we will get through this. My hope is that we all share a better understanding of ourselves, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, humankind and our surroundings. Through all the heartache and craziness this virus has caused a new era of change might provide opportunities, innovations and future preparedness. A long hard look at the environment and the changes that have occurred during this pandemic would be smart. What can we live without, use less of?

Let’s figure out how wisely use our resources. How about a way to use all the food and livestock being wasted, turning them into viable options for us to eat and the millions of hungry people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from? Food waste and feeding people are way up there on my priority list.

Tonight, when you're preparing your meal, be mindful of all the people it took to grow that food, process it, deliver it, stock it on shelves and check you out when you bought it. Let’s all send some positive thoughts to all the frontline workers doing their best to keep us safe, healthy and fed. Be well, stay healthy and safe.

I am hopeful you’ve adhered to the advice to settle in place, are wearing a mask when going out and have adopted the new scrub-down routines when reentering your safe zone.

As much as this virus has disrupted all our lives if you had to pull one thing positive out of this experience, what would it be? Share your thoughts!

Live well always.

Reflections and hope

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