Even now, hope springs eternal

To the editor:

Reminiscent of World War II factories, corporations and, individuals are now switching from a normal lifestyle to helping defeat a, maybe, greater enemy than we faced in WWII.

During WWII, copper was removed from pennies, nickel from nickels, men’s suits lost cuffs, women painted their legs to save nylon, Ford made bombers and tanks, Chrysler also made tanks. Underwood went from typewriters to rifles. Singer made the famous 1911 .45-caliber pistol. Gas, oil, rubber, sugar, coffee, cooking oil, canned fruits, vegetables and many other items were rationed.

Now baseball uniforms manufacturer is making masks, Brew Dog is making hand sanitizer. Even in a prison where alcohol is forbidden, they are also making hand sanitizer.

Many Americans are stepping up to help in food delivery and mask making. They are staying at home to help prevent the spread of the virus. I am getting calls from a member of my church (Asbury United Methodist church) to check and see if I am OK or need anything.

 This would be a very simple and easy, non-contact thing to do for your friends neighbors, relatives or even someone you do not know.

Major, intermediate and local sports have taken a major hit in the whole spring ritual of happenings.

Churches, businesses, stores, industry, services (barber, beauty, funeral, etc.) are closed.

Restaurants are trying to stay afloat with only drive-thru or carryout service.

A badge with the logo “I escaped the CV Virus” with a lime on the background would be something to show children and grandchildren, just as my parents talked to me about surviving the Great Depression and WWII.

Hopefully in a short time down the road we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the storm has passed, the sun is out and we can interact with each other again.

Hope springs eternal.

Charles E. Tague

Portland



Standing ready

To the editor:

Healthcare workers across the country are grappling with their response to COVID-19 and tirelessly working on our behalf to treat sick patients, all while putting themselves at risk of infection.

Among these healthcare workers are your local pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For many Hoosiers, there is a pharmacy located close by, making pharmacists one of the most accessible healthcare professionals.

Your local pharmacist needs your help as they continue to serve you. Here are some ways that you can help protect them so they can continue to do their job:

•Many pharmacies now offer home delivery services. Take advantage of this to avoid unnecessary trips in public.

•Many pharmacies have a drive-thru or offer curbside pick-up. If yours has one, use it instead of going inside.

•If your pharmacy doesn’t offer delivery service or have a drive-thru, and if you are at an elevated risk of infection or have symptoms, have someone else pick up your prescriptions for you. Be sure to stand at least six feet away from staff.

Purdue University’s Center for Health Equity and Innovation has developed a resource to help the public understand prescription pick-up options that are available. This resource is available at indianapharmacists.org/covid-19-resources.

Finally, be wary of purchasing medication online. While your local pharmacist helps keep you healthy, criminals are exploiting fear and confusion for profit by selling fake preventions, treatments and alleged cures online. At best, these fake products are ineffective. At worst, they are deadly. According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, a survey of over 2,000 online pharmacies revealed that 98% of them were illegitimate. There are safe pharmacies online, but make sure to use NABP to verify the pharmacy first at safe.pharmacy/buy-safely.

Pharmacists stand ready to continue serving patients, so let’s do our part to protect them.

Darren R. Covington

Executive vice president

Indiana Pharmacists Association