COVID-19 Ripples Through
COVID-19 Ripples Through Community BY SARAH KITTLE “ We are in unprecedented times,” says Mike Sarafa, co-founder of Vision Growth Partners. “The world and the country were not prepared for this health care crisis.” “Unprepared” describes the current state of affairs in our state, country, and world. Even though Bill Gates told us in his 2015 Ted Talk that we were unprepared as a nation for the viral epidemic that was surely on its way, and even told us how we could prepare: invest in better world health care systems; increase international collaboration; keep trained medical staff in reserve and attach them to the military; and invest in vaccine research, it seems we didn’t listen. Now we are paying the price. If the Trump administration has a unified policy on how it is handling the coronavirus within its own ranks, it isn’t sharing it. The wealth of information and misinformation we are exposed to via the internet is staggering. Updates are being provided by everyone from your local government to your credit union and for the most part, they’re saying the same thing – stay home. Keep your bugs to yourself. It started with “wash your hands” and quickly escalated to “keep your distance.” But if everyone doesn’t participate, how effective is “social distancing”? “The Chaldean community, in some quarters, exasperates the situation with cavalier attitudes by the young and conspiracy theories by some elderly,” continues Sarafa. “Many young Chaldeans today were born into wealth and, therefore, do not have a sense of the greater good or any understanding of sacrifice. This is not their fault. It is our fault, their parents. In this time of crisis, our failures are manifest.” But there’s always hope. “Still, we can rally, unite, comply. We can be good family members, good citizens and good Americans.” Social distancing is causing payroll panic across the country, but stores that have stayed open to serve the community are having a unique experience. Matthew Loussia of Value Wholesale says, “Since the coronavirus outbreak has begun the grocery industry altogether has been non-stop and in quite a panic. Manufacturers are receiving demands for product like they have never seen before. “Manufacturers typically work on a one- to two-week lead time to make and ship orders but are now working ahead three to four weeks. Companies that make a large variety of flavors of a certain item are now only producing their highest demand flavor and ignoring the rest to ramp up production. Also many companies have pulled all promotional funding that they typically offer which has caused many retail prices to increase.” Loussia reports that on the wholesale side, they are working along with other distributors in the industry around the clock to fulfill orders and keep stores stocked. He and his staff were on their 10th straight day of working more than 13 hours March 21, and were still running four to five days behind. They have hired temporary staff for stocking and trucking, causing their expenses to increase dramatically. “We are also out of stock on many items,” he says. “Some of the larger grocery distributors across the country are shipping their grocers only 10 percent of the product being ordered. Obviously the high demand items such as toilet tissue, paper towels and anything regarding cleaning supplies and hygienic supplies are virtually impossible to get right now and are also being price gouged. Bottled water and canned foods are still available but we are being limited when we purchase. Retailers are working tirelessly and facing massive rushes and crowds of shoppers wiping out their shelves. Every store owner I have spoken to has said they have never seen anything like this in all their years in the grocery business. One store owner told me, ‘If it’s not nailed to the floor, they are buying it.’” On the other hand, independent grocers in Detroit are well-stocked. For the first time, they’re seeing suburban shoppers in their stores. What big retail stores with fast turnover are missing, some small shops have in supply. Neighborhood stores are important once more. Restaurants are feeling the effect of the crisis and many employees are home without wages. Zeana Attisha, owner of Sahara Restaurant in Oak Park says, “The coronavirus has forced us to cancel and refund all deposits for parties—small and big. From baptisms to weddings, this is a huge loss.” With a more than 80 percent reported loss in sales, fixed expenses such as insurance, mortgages, rent and utilities remain the same. “It’s going to be hard to keep paying,” admits Attisha. Sahara is open for carryout and delivery. Banquet centers and venues across the region have been planning weddings and other large-scale events for months or even years and are finding themselves shuffling to reschedule with an uncertain future. “It’s a big financial setback for us,” says Raad Kathawa, president of Shenandoah Country Club. They’ve been operating as a skeleton crew, with most staff laid off. “It is heavy on my heart,” he says. They’re facing the postponement and rescheduling of numerous weddings and First Communions, plus the Activity Rooms are closed, upsetting some members. The golf course opening was scheduled for April but has been put on hold with no opening date scheduled for the foreseeable future. “We want to accommodate everyone,” says Kathawa, “but we don’t have answers.” Hotels and other hospitality in dustries are suffering as well. Sean Koza of Group 10 Management says, “The coronavirus has affected nearly every industry related to consumer spending. From retail to hospitality, we are experiencing historically low occupancies and demand as well as a level of uncertainty unprecedented in our country’s history.” In an announcement from the three Chaldean Eparchies in North America (Detroit, San Diego and Toronto), a call to the faithful was made to pray the Ba’utha (pleading) in homes. Mother of God Chaldean Church put out a video March 14 with a heartfelt message from Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat about the decision to close church services to the public. All Masses and Stations of the “Many young Chaldeans today were born into wealth and, therefore, do not have a sense of the greater good or any understanding of sacrifice. This is not their fault. It is our fault, their parents. In this time of crisis, our failures are manifest…Still, we can rally, unite, comply. We can be good family members, good citizens and good Americans.” – MIKE SARAFA Cross are suspended and everyone is dispensed from their Sunday obligation until further notice. It is very difficult. At a time when we are naturally drawn to gather for comfort, we are told to keep our distance. “Although we are not assembling together in prayer,” Bishop Francis reassures, “we are always united as one body of Christ, across our homes, in communion with one another and God. Resist the temptation to live in fear.” He goes on to say that he looks forward to celebrating Easter with everyone. For its part, the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) is operating electronically over the phone and over the internet to provide necessary services. Case workers still have clients, and those clients need help now more than ever. They need to know that they are supported and won’t be left adrift. Many are in the process of obtaining citizenship and 26 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2020
coronavirus or not, still need to file the paperwork. Many speak little English, needing assistance to navigate the incredibly swift changes taking place around them. Advocacy doesn’t retreat in a crisis: it ramps up. Martin Manna, president of the CCF and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce (CACC), is working closely with state and federal leadership to provide relief for businesses and people affected by COVID-19 and the emergency measures put in place by the government. The Chamber is keeping its members abreast of the situation on a daily basis, providing links to small business loan programs and disaster relief. CACC and CCF Leadership are working in partnership with corporations and politicians to provide services and relief to the community, and to make sure that we are kept aware of things as they happen. The CACC has been promoting small business support by way of takeout and gift cards, and sending daily Coronavirus updates to members via email. They remind members that there are steps to take to protect ourselves both physically and financially, and that there is an “other side” to this crisis. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we are made. We have the opportunity to become better people, to make choices that contribute to the greater good. Sarafa sums it up perfectly, “No time is without Grace.” Sylvester Sandiha of Pinnacle Hospitality, community leader and Chairman of the Board of the CACC and CCF has a message for the community: “In talking with friends and family, never in anyone’s wildest imagination, especially in this day and age and let alone in America, could something cause such a disruption to our way of life and humanity as a whole. I find myself becoming more aware of the value of the basics that most of us would take for granted. “Suddenly, using less toilet tissue, paper towel, bottled water, cleaning supplies and even food has become the norm. It’s amazing how in these times the fragility of life becomes so clear. Our generation has lived in a time of excess and abundance. Rarely did a day pass when many including myself didn’t’ eat at least one meal at a restaurant or pickup carry-out. Friends and family that we may not have spoken with in a while are reaching out to check-in. The uncertainty and fear has led me and others that I have spoken with to tap a part of our humanity and emotions that we were losing. EVERY aspect of life has new meaning and value, particularly our love for each other. “As a community of small business owners, we Chaldeans have faced challenging times before, however this time feels different. Laying off workers, closing business, and the fear of not knowing when this will end has finally set in. I feel that we as a Chaldean community take for granted the cultural glue we share. A friend of mine put it perfectly; he messaged, ‘I would dodge calls or get annoyed from a text message, now I can’t wait to pick up. People asking if I need food, water, or toilet tissue LOL.’ “Reflecting on what has taken place in our country and the world over the last few weeks has led me to really put myself in the shoes of our Chaldean brothers and sisters who have faced persecution, uncertainty, and famine in the Middle East. And it’s not even a fair comparison. We feel for them but now we have a taste of what they experienced and yet we still have food, shelter, clothing, etc. Even in those times, they remained faithful and hopeful for brighter days. “We thought we have it all figured out and under control. Faith and hope is suddenly where we are directed. We have been forced to look inward and to make our homes churches. Even as someone who would identify as faithful, my prayer life, appreciation for our church, Sunday Mass, the holy sacraments, and fellowship with our community has taken new meaning. Creativity and longing for God’s grace has brought on live celebrations of the Mass, drive thru confessions, parking lot adoration, and fasting from the Eucharist. “It’s funny that day to day we may thank God for our blessings and ask for his help for what today seems totally unimportant. However, we trust that God takes the bad and always uses it for good. Our prayers are now for others, for health, for peace, and for calm. My faith in Jesus has been strengthened by coming to Him in total confidence, having to trust that He will get us through this strange and crazy time in history. “We truly are all in this together. This will pass and in the near future we will look back at this time. I pray that we remember the feelings and emotions which APRIL we 2020 now CHALDEAN share. NEWS We’ll be 29 stronger for it. This is our generation’s wake up call to appreciate and count our blessings. A lot of smart people are working on this human and worldwide mission. In the meantime, we must stay positive, remain calm, cherish every second, and have faith! With renewed faith in God and each other, we’ll get through this TOGETHER.” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 APRIL 2020 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
