by James “JB” Bryson

Where do I start but by saying “WOW“!! I have to tell you that even after service to my country, this battle and the psychological effects it is having on the world is unprecedented in my lifetime.

I want to begin by saying I hope that EVERYONE is indeed following all preventative guidelines as far as being SANITARY- practicing SOCIAL DISTANCING- and taking all measure to CEASE THE SPREAD of this contagion. I know it is tough, but vigilance is so important right now.

We have been personally hit by this virus as one of our dear friends passed 12 days ago from acute pneumonia that came as a result of the COVID-19 transmission. He was 64. His family has expressed a desire to keep his name quiet, and we are doing so.

We are not able to see our family and it is killing us. Panama is of course on a lockdown, and international travel to the states is ceased. Never in my life have I been not able to go home.

We watch each day like the rest of you for glimmers of good news in terms of light being at the tunnel. It seems we are still quite far from that. When the time presents itself I am going to opine loudly on what I feel could have been done and my feelings about the people we lost that did not have to die. Now is not that time.

For those that have been affected financially and your livelihood is in peril. I pray that you can get through this time. The stimulus will only stem the tide for a month at best. Those with more please help those with less.

This is a HUMAN battle, with an invisible enemy. I am here with all of you united in my concern.

Please be safe.

Saludos

JB