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Hope. Heal. Together.

While working from home, I overheard a gentleman on television say, “I wish I knew today what I’m going to learn tomorrow.” Without a doubt, no one could have predicted the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our lives. Just a few weeks before we began sheltering in place, I gave my State of the City address and shared my excitement for Canton’s future. While we have been thrown a curveball of historic proportions, my optimism remains intact.

The impact of this disaster cannot be underestimated. Many people are afraid and suffering. Within this uncertainty, it is human nature to assign blame or direct anger toward others. None of us have ever experienced anything like this, and we all react in different ways. Some people share frustrations on social media where it’s easy to think with their fingers before common sense catches up, hurting and offending others who are just as fragile.

As the situation has unfolded, two extreme sides have emerged: protect our health by continuing to shelter in place or reopen the state to avoid total economic collapse. At the end of the day, however, we all want both – to stop further spread and loss of life and to salvage what is left of our economy. Why wouldn’t we?

As our local businesses begin to reopen, they need our support more than ever. In addition to the financial losses they have experienced, new safety measures require investments in materials, equipment, and labor. Business owners are stepping up to meet these challenges while protecting the safety of citizens and employees who have their own families to feed.

Freedom is something many are concerned about, but freedom may be what ultimately saves us. Going forward, we are free to take responsibility for our own actions. For residents with compromising health issues, they should continue to stay home whenever possible. For those whose mental or economic well-being requires them to venture back into the public realm, they now have that choice.

The “new normal” will require us to lean into the curve, as we work and learn together. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, so we need to live our best lives today – kindly, civilly, respectfully, faithfully, and compassionately. We don’t always have to agree, and we won’t. We can walk through the valley of death and fear no evil, but there is no need to create more.

This is Canton, Georgia, the coolest small town in America. We may be down, but we are not out. We have the most amazing citizens, businesses, and dedicated public servants to translate our road map into reality. Soon, we will return to First Fridays, the Farmers Market, concerts in Etowah Park, and so much more. Let’s hope we can pause long enough to think about the future and what we have learned. May our lessons be kind, as we come together to move Canton forward.

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