Adjusting to a new normal

As I stepped outside this morning, the green grass and blue sky made me smile in a time where the current mood feels overcast and gloomy. Life is moving forward and I am seeing many of the changes. High school seniors are coming up with new ways to hold graduation ceremonies, while us senior citizens are being cautious with the way we travel and socialize. Seniors, be you a high school senior or a senior citizen, all will have to adjust to the new normal.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Have things been opened up too soon or shut up too tight? Only time will tell. No matter what your thoughts are on this, it is up to each of us to take responsibility for what happens going forward. I am banking on the youth to follow through, for without their cooperation, the other generations are more vulnerable. We’re fortunate as Montanans to live in the Big Sky State and take advantage of outdoor opportunities. From camping to floating to biking, our backyard is pretty spectacular. This is a great time to step outside.

It seems people are handling the virus situation in many different ways. Some over-stressed folks may need additional emotional and mental support. This is a situation the state is very concerned with, along with the drop in domestic abuse reports. These are the type of compounding situations that, without prevention and mitigation strategies, pile up and create social and real costs for Montana. So please, continue to check-in on your friends, family and loved ones. If you see someone struggling, reach out.

Our Education Interim Committee has met via Zoom, and is putting together lawmaking strategies for opening schools safely and responsibly. These get-togethers have been limited to three-hour sessions spread out with a couple days in-between. There is a lot lost when trying to do virtual meetings. It’s hard to get a true feel of the situation without being able to read the reactions, facial expressions, and body language when a statement is made. Though, we’re prioritizing collaboration and doing the important work to move things forward. I also appreciate the legislative staff who are handling the technical side to these meetings very well.

Congratulations to our north-central Montana graduates. You’ve done it! Stay safe. Don’t forget to fill out your census.

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State Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be emailed at [email protected].