*This may be an Ohio political speech, but the takeaways can be applied anywhere. Scroll down to see.*
Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted spoke at Ottawa Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon today in our Northwest Ohio community. I’m not one for politics, but here’s my takeaway after listening.
The bad?
As of today (March 10, 2020), Husted said the first 3 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Ohio — all in Cuyahoga county.
*Side note reminder from the Centers for Disease Control: Serious respiratory illnesses are spread by coughing and sneezing and touching your face after touching contaminated objects. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, cover your cough, and if you’re sick, please stay home.
Otherwise, don’t panic about COVID-19. There’s not much more you can do, and obsessively worrying only hurts your mental health. (Find the current number of confirmed Ohio cases here, plus tips and helpful checklists here.)
The good?
He and Governor Mike Dewine are working on artificial intelligence, getting high-speed internet to the 1,000,000+ Ohioans who still don’t have it, over-licensing in Ohio, reducing line wait time at the BMV, upskilling our work force so they don’t get pushed out by technology, reviewing the foster care system (submit a testimony here), and ensuring students are prepared for stable, in-demand jobs after high school graduation. (Learn more about Ohio’s initiatives and priories here.)
Issues like the drug epidemic, addiction, mental health and counseling cannot be ignored either; The RecoveryOhio crisis text hotline is a resource few know about, yet has helped 11.5 thousand people. Simply text “4hope” to 741 741 to speak with a licensed counselor about any stressful situation you may be coping with. No phone number or charge will be applied to your phone bill. (Learn more about the Crisis Text Hotline.)
*Insert a quote I found relevant due to our current home organization spree:
“Imagine living in a house for 200 years where you don’t do any decluttering… that’s what it is here.” According to Husted, they are working on getting rid of old, outdated regulations.
The crazy? Here are 2 data points that stuck with me:
- By 2025, Ohio will have more people aged 64-69 than age 24-29. Think of what that will mean for us all…
- Amazon has more than 19,000 employees in Ohio. (So THAT’S why we get our packages so quickly… 📦 💁🏻♀️😉)
Community = Nobody gets left behind
All this said, here’s the bottom line: it’s really about PEOPLE, not POLITICS. That’s what I choose to focus on.
In a simplified way, I’m happy to know there are people out there who care about their native state and the well being of its people. About, in Husted’s words, “not leaving anyone behind because we need all of us.”
I get fired up hearing people who are passionate about their community — their little slice of the world. 🔥
Maybe — just maybe — if we all extend ourselves a tad bit more in our communities, doing just a single act based on our unique skills, those extensions can build up over time into something tangible. Something felt by others. Something that makes a difference. Even if we don’t know about it directly.
What can YOU do now?
Think about it: What could you do RIGHT NOW to make a difference in your community? What stirs your emotions? Where do your talents lie? Think about where all these points converge.
Contact information for your state governor
If you aren’t sure of your state’s needs and issues, Google your state governor’s website and do some research. (I’ll even help you out! Click HERE for a listing of all state governor’s names, websites, phone numbers, emails, and even mailing addresses.
You can also ask your local Chamber of Commerce office, mayor, or even a super involved friend or co-worker for more localized suggestions.
Show off your state pride!
I’m proud to be a Buckeye and love the Midwest. I know it’s my job to make a difference wherever I can, and though the process may not always be clean and straightforward, I thank you for following my journey. ♥️
If you’re proud of your state, love your neighbors, and want to make a difference as well, drop a comment below to share some native love. If you found an interesting way to give back or have suggestions for others, we’d love to hear them!
