Page A3 Wednesday, May 13, 2020 WWW.CHRONICLET.COM Founded July 24,1829 A.C. Hudnutt, Publisher, 1927-1950 Arthur D. Hudnutt, Publisher, 1970-1991 A. Cooper Hudnutt, Publisher, 1991-2010 William D. Hudnutt, Publisher JULIE WALLACE BRAD DICKEN Managing Editor Editorial Page Editor OUR OPINION Charging without a plan won’t work The battle cry for those rushing to lift restrictions meant to slow the coronavirus might as well be “Leeroy Jenkins!” For those unfamiliar with the 15-year-old internet meme, it originated during a disastrous session of the online role-playing game “World of Warcraft.” The meme is a video showing a group of players plot- Even separated we can pull together ting an attack on a monster to help “Leeroy Jenkins” get a A day defined by death, destruction cide prevention, but it could be. Plus, piece of treasure. The player controlling the Jenkins char- and pain was also a day when a suicide even if a person is not distressed, your acter is away from his computer making chicken during hotline went quiet. On September 11, call and connection boosts their well-be- the strategy stage. 2001, and in the days immediately fol- ing and your own. It does not hurt, and Upon his return, and apparently unaware of the plan, lowing, calls to a national suicide hotline might help more than you know. Jenkins immediately charges into the battle shouting reached an all-time low. Indications are Today, I ask that residents of Lorain that, as the nation collectively mourned CLARE ROSSER “Leeroy Jenkins!” County find their five, and join Ohio’s and stood together against terrorism, Strive for 5. Find out how at mharslorain- The other players hurry after him to help, but get wiped network expanded telehealth care, cre- fewer people died by suicide. On that day, county.org/blog/ohstrive5. Find others out in spectacular fashion. atively updated prevention resources for people pulled together to face tragedy. students and families, developed online who need a caring connection: people Heedlessly charging into the fray without a plan is no Those suffering from suicidal thoughts — options for recovery support and made who have lost a loved one, or job, first way to win a video game with low stakes. It’s certainly no they stayed with us. It’s a testament to the other positive adaptations for our chang- responders and crisis workers, people way to approach a pandemic that is killing people around power of connection and solidarity. ing reality. who live alone, or struggle with depres- the world. Researcher Dr. Thomas Joiner cites When we struggle to meet basic needs, sion, anxiety or substance use. Alongside As of Tuesday evening, there had been more than the low suicide rate on 9/11 when he our mental health can suffer. Deeper psy- appropriate healthcare, these connec- 290,000 deaths worldwide, including more than 82,000 describes how feelings of isolation can be chiatric crises can develop. In disasters, tions protect our friends and family. in the United States. Ohio reported 1,436 deaths from a major risk factor for suicide. Suicides we need tools to cope, to stay resilient. In a recent article in the Journal of the confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, including 44 in go down during times of collective hard- Another thing we typically promote American Medical Association, Joiner and ship, arguably because we have a strong Lorain County. is social connection. Spend time with other authors noted that while the risk sense of togetherness and belonging. We for increased suicides is present, there Ignoring federal guidelines in a rush to reopen would friends and family, and doing activi- are all in this together. He also notes that ties you enjoy. COVID-19 changes that. may be a “silver lining” that emerges from lead to “suffering and death that could be avoided,” suicides go down during times of cele- “Social” is now about “distance,” not con- the pandemic. They wrote about pulling National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases bration. (The notion that winter holidays nection. The closest we can be is six feet together, saying, “… individuals under- Director Anthony Fauci warned during a Senate hearing are times of increased suicides? A myth. apart. going a shared experience might support Tuesday. December usually has the lowest number Social connections protect our health, one another, thus strengthening social One of the guidelines is that states should await signif- of suicides.) wealth and happiness. Having someone connectedness. Recent advancements in icant declines in the number of new cases before lifting Pulling together — as a faith or family we can call, and count on, softens the technology (such as video conferencing) restrictions. Although Ohio’s strong response has slowed during holidays, or as a nation during a blow of a loss or abrupt life change. If might facilitate pulling together. Epidem- the spread, the state hasn’t quite accomplished that feat. crisis — is a protection for our mental nothing else, we commiserate. Often, we ics and pandemics may also alter one’s Nevertheless, Gov. Mike DeWine has moved forward health and well-being. trade skills and help each other through views on health and mortality, making life Recent news stories compare the dev- with a slow reopening. our rough patch. more precious, death more fearsome, and astation. Deaths from the coronavirus, in Tony Coder of the Ohio Suicide Preven- Retail stores opened back up Tuesday. Personal care suicide less likely.” New York City alone, exceed the lives lost tion Foundation puts it this way: “Making Past events of shared grief and loss services and outdoor dining will return Friday, with in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Those of us in sure that we are there for one another can show: our mental health and recovery indoor dining later this month. the behavioral health field look to other make a difference to all who are strug- network will be serving new and addi- Some things, however, remain closed, including day data from Sept. 11 — the impact of grief, gling with this reality we are living. Reach tional clients. People wrestling with grief, care centers, whose reopening DeWine has delayed mak- loss and national anxiety on the weeks out through a phone call, a video call, text fear, loss, substance use or isolation may ing a decision on. and months that followed, when rates of message or social media. It might be just need mental health and recovery services That measured approach helps explain a Washington depression and substance use rose, cases what someone needs, and it might save for the first time. That’s OK. We are here, Post-Ipsos poll released Tuesday that showed DeWine of PTSD emerged, and our lives changed. a life.” ready to help. had the highest approval rating — 86 percent — of any In March, the Mental Health, Addiction The MHARS board is encouraging Just as we pull together during a trag- and Recovery Services Board Board of governor in the country for his handling of the pandemic. connection through the Strive for 5 edy, we show creativity and resilience. We Lorain County started promoting stress Challenge. It’s simple: find five people to operationalize hope. Nationally, 43 percent approved of Trump’s performance. and anxiety management resources with check in with every day for 30 days, by While DeWine appears to agonize over every decision, We stand together, even when standing increased urgency. We shared the Crisis phone, letter or any other safe but social 6 feet apart. Trump, who has declared Americans “warriors,” appears Text Line, available by texting 4hope to way. #OHStrive5 reminds us to make daily more interested in how the virus affects him. That was 741741, and the Disaster Distress Helpline Clare Rosser is the Director of Communications connections. and Community Relations with the Mental Health, evident in his performance at a news conference Monday at (800) 985-5990. Now, Ohio offers the You might not think that a daily phone Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of in which he declared that the nation had “prevailed” in COVID Careline at (800) 720-9616. Our call to a friend or family member is sui- Lorain County, and is a suicide prevention educator. its efforts to ramp up testing, something public health experts insist is necessary to safely reopen the country. It did not go well. “You’ve said many times that the U.S. is doing far better U.S. needs to lead fight against virus than any other country when it comes to testing,” Weijia For critical weeks in February and early jing. How much the overseas spread could Jiang of CBS News said. “Why does that matter? Why is March President Donald Trump claimed have been checked with a faster response this a global competition to you if every day Americans COVID-19 would magically disappear by is unknown. That is why the United States itself or with warmer weather. should be leading an international full are still losing their lives and we’re still seeing more cases That didn’t work. So, with the death court press for more information. every day?” toll at more than 75,000 and rising, the True, Beijing has angrily rejected the RUDY UBIN “Well, they’re losing their lives everywhere in the president needs a new magic formula to T R idea of an international inquiry into the world,” Trump responded before suggesting that Jiang, deflect public attention from his slow and reportedly think this “highly unlikely.” COVID disaster — suggesting a boycott who grew up in West Virginia, pose the question to China. chaotic response.