Being stuck at home, many of us find ourselves turning to Disney (or other) channels in search of comfort and inspiration. Viewing animated classics like Frozen help to reassure us with themes that touch upon isolation, family and love. Relevant stories for sure — as local healthcare heroes make the ultimate sacrifice and social distancing keeps us distant from those we love.
However, it's not the first time that America has turned to children's tales in our "darkest hours." In 1933, Walt Disney released an eight-minute animated film of The Three Little Pigs. The classic fable inspired Americans during the Great Depression with its message of how hard work and thoughtful planning would overcome adversity. In these times, lessons about creating sustainable structures are worth re-learning as the state builds a road map to recovery and reopening Nevada's economy.
Following are prominent Nevadans' personal reflections and public projections about the current pandemic:
Retired Chancellor: "Six of my grandchildren live in Reno. Window visits don't cut it. I'm a hugger and I miss hugging my kids. On the positive side, this disease has slowed us all down."
Think Tank Executive: "I believe the recovery will prompt a conversation on more flexible work policies while laying bare the deficiencies from years of underinvestment in public health and emergency management."
Former Publisher: "I'm worried about how newspapers who are already on the financial ropes during this internet era will respond with significant detailed journalism to a citizenship desperate for facts."
Small Businesswoman: "Every business is 'essential' to the owner and those who work there and patronize it. Regarding the reopening of the economy, I hope Nevada's political leaders will take working with the business community seriously."
Teacher of the Year: "I've come to realize that many of the things I thought were important were not; and many of the things that I didn't pay enough attention to have become very important to me."
Former U.S. Ambassador: "I fear Nevada will take longer than most places in America to come back. I hope I'm wrong and we storm back with a vengeance."
Vegas Strip Sales Exec: "Regarding the Strip's recovery, Vegas has two important things going for it; plenty of sunshine (natural disinfectant) and plenty of sanitation expertise."
Businesswoman Lobbyist: "I actually wish I was younger. There will be growth in new and wonderful ways in the economy, and I'd love to be a part of it."
University Sociologist: "The pandemic has forced everyone to reevaluate what's important. I'm particularly concerned about higher education, which has no statutory mandate for funding in Nevada."
Education Advocate: "In education, we've been underfunded, mis-managed and had an accountability deficit before the virus. I believe we should get 10-15 really smart people in a room primarily from the private sector and figure out a better approach to meet our state's needs."
Retired Reporter: "I think the consequences will be enormous and long lasting."
The consequences of COVID-19 may well last a long time. Nevadans should take solace in lessons learned; be they from children's tales, hometown heroes, or the wisdom and grit of our elders. That way — the next time some big bad wolf "huffs and puffs" trying to blow our Silver State house down, we'll have built a stronger Nevada capable of better withstanding the next great challenge.
Pat Hickey is a former Republican assemblyman.
From the Right
Pat Hickey
Guest Columnist
Originally published in the Reno Gazette-Journal on April 22, 2020.