Dear Fellow Members of San Saba,
I have pondered on how I wanted to word what it is I want to say to you all. As a Christian, a teacher, a business owner, mother, wife, and daughter in our community, I want to make sure that I word this letter as appropriately as I can while also getting the point across. Something needs to be said and someone needs to boldly stand up and say it. So here goes:
During in-service this year, I began to feel like I was coming down with a sinus infection. I left work, went home, and the following morning went to the doctor in Lampasas in hopes of getting some antibiotics. While I was there, I chose to be swabbed for Covid simply to rule it out seeing that I am a teacher and would soon be back in the classroom. To my surprise, my test came back positive. If I had not chosen to be tested, I would have been going about my business as usual. I reported it immediately and took all of the proper quarantining steps until I was released by my doctor.
With that being said, there are a few things I would like to say about the matter. First of all, it is important that if you do not feel well, even if it is mild, I encourage you to get tested to slow the spread. Second, I want to encourage you to stop putting such a stigma around Covid itself. Covid is here to stay. It is like the flu or strep in the sense that it is in our community and many will get it and I suspect we will all take our turn at one point or another. We, as a community, should unite and support each other in this crisis instead of turning this pandemic into a gossipy witch hunt, especially on social media. I understand you are scared. I was scared and took every precaution I could, and still somehow came up with it. The worst part of my experience was not the sickness itself, but the fear of actually testing positive and the way that many people reacted, including some people who I thought were my friends. It was more of a gossip, stalking, bashing session that soon ensued after I reported my test result.
I have grown up in San Saba my entire life with the exception of when I went off into the world for several years. This community is my homeland and where my heart wants to be. Instead of tearing each other down, gossiping, and making this pandemic a witch hunt that is tearing people apart, we should be supporting one another. With that being said, I am starting a Covid Relief Team. Anyone who would like to join me please contact me and I will put you on the list. When someone tests positive, the team will rotate on making meals, delivering them, and going on grocery runs until the family is able to come out of quarantine. I also want to be available to pray by phone and emotionally support the people who are going through it as well.
I also want to say a couple of things about the sickness itself. There is treatment. There is a cure. The mainstream media will not tell you this, but it does exist. If you or your family receive a positive diagnosis, please reach out to me and I will forward you the information on who to call and who will help you get the meds needed immediately. The key is to stay on top of it and start the medicine within several days of showing symptoms. I started the medicine and was better in 48 hours. Do not wait to get treatment. Be proactive.
We will be okay San Saba and we will get through this. I have faith in our community and when or if it is your turn to go through this sickness, please know that I am in the process of organizing a support team to help you with everything you need physically, medically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please do not be afraid to reach out for assistance when needed. Gossip won’t be an issue and your name will be kept confidential.
God Bless You All, Merideth Deeds San Saba, TX