Dear Editor,
Adversity often brings forth unexpected progress. As we approach the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which had a major presence in Watonga and Roman Nose State Park, we are mindful of how the severe “great” depression lead to the creation of the CCC and the amazing accomplishments of this group of young 1822yearold men.
We recently were reminded of these accomplishments while visiting not only Roman Nose, but also Boiling Springs State Park near Woodward. Both have beautiful CCCbuilt pools that have been in constant use for over 80 years. Abilene State Park near Buffalo Gap, TX also has an excellent pool constructed by the CCC, this time by segregated African American workers. Further, the CCC did amazing work at the Davis Mountains State Park in far western Texas.
In the past two years, we have faced unprecedented adversity by the COVID19 pandemic. Over one million Oklahomans have had labproven COVID19, over 42 thousand have been hospitalized, and over 14,500 have lost their battle with this virus. Their loved ones are left to grieve. But out of great adversity, unexpected good has occurred. Medical science has responded to adversity created by
Medical science has responded to adversity created by the pandemic. Better diagnostics have defined the cause (SARS2 Coronavirus) and its constant changes in variants. In the 2002 outbreak of SARS1, it took almost 3 months to determine the cause because diagnostics were not as advanced as today. Excellent preventive measures such as messenger RNA and virusvectored vaccines have been very effective in preventing severe infections. Out of adversity, effective antibodies for those at risk for severe disease and antiviral medications have been developed. These have not only been effective against COVID19, but will likely have application against other viruses.
In addition to medical progress, an important transformation has been increased use of internetbased communications. More homes and businesses in more regions are now connected to the world as a response to COVID19. While school closings have occurred to various degrees, an occurrence not infrequent with influenza outbreaks, learning via internet has continued. Perhaps not as effective as inperson school for some, the discipline of lifetime learning has been learned by many. Churches, medical organizations, universities, governments, and businesses have adapted. I have attended four international medical meetings virtually in the past two years. In many ways, virtual meetings are more efficient.
Family time, in home hobbies such as baking, and outofdoors activities such as hiking, birding, biking, boating, geocaching, photography, astronomy and camping have all flourished. State Parks such as those I mentioned above are full. Like the CCC, which had its beginning out of extreme economic adversity but resulted in benefits to us that continue, we too have responded to the adversity of COVID19 with progress and good that will be enjoyed for decades and generations to come.
Joe P Bryan