Unity in a time of need

I am writing you regarding the article Adam Shanks had written in response to “Pandemic panic shopping again empties Spokane stores of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other goods.”

Signs of these problems slowly took place over the last few weeks until Friday, when the announcement came that this is a national emergency by President Trump, and the people went into panic mode.

Harm has been created due to the fact that people are buying everything and leaving nothing for others, people are being selfish and not learning to share an support other fellow members of their community or the elderly and sick who simply cannot plow through other people in order to get the food and supplies like others.

This problem is caused by people buying into the media exposure and not understanding what preparedness means; to them it is seen as an act for them and only them, not others. Our media system is at great fault for this and has made this national emergency something far worse than it should be.

We the community of Spokane should be making the change, supporting our elderly, our sick and our community by giving back, going shopping, giving others food and toilet paper and being an advocate for what is needed and when. When people can support others we can create the sense of unity needed in a time like this, our world is suffering and by dividing what we have we are just creating more social distance and disruption from each other when we should be coming together in solitude.

Katherine Payne

Spokane Valley