Howling at the Moon

I have lived in Idaho my whole entire life and I know what is it like to live in a small community. A lot of the time you are forgotten about because the whole world is focusing on something else. There are many mysteries that come with Idaho and the people who live here would like to keep it that way. The thing that most people don’t know is that we have many communities that are brought together and made stronger through difficult situations.

Most specifically I live in Blaine County Idaho. We are a small community that is basically in the middle of nowhere. When the whole issue with the Coronavirus started to appear it hit like a whirlwind. There were multiple people flying into Idaho trying to find refuge from the virus only ended up in bringing it here. Multiple people walked into St. Luke’s hospital in Ketchum not even knowing that they had the virus. This led to the hospital being contaminated and multiple medical workers risking their lives in order to protect the people of the county.

The virus got to the point that it was spreading fast and the numbers were climbing. We had the most cases for the longest time throughout the state. We were being compared to Italy it got so bad. Medical workers were no longer able to go home to their families without going into quarantine. All of the people who were in the hospital had to step back and realize the risks they were taking at first hand. No one knows how that will affect them in the long run. The citizens had to do something in order to help show their support to the medical workers. So at eight p.m. every night people come out and howl at the moon to share their support. It became as a way for people to come together as a community and help. The news started to spread to other people in Idaho and the old resident that used to live and grow up in the valley.

Some came back to help out with anything that they could. Caleb Morgan grew up in the Wood River Valley and graduated from Wood River High School. He went off to Bozeman, Montana in order to go to school to be a film director. The pandemic in our community got Caleb’s attention and so he decided to start filming a documentary about the events. BuzzFeedNews became aware of this and decided to highlight Caleb. Caleb has been working hard to show the true spirit of the Wood River Valley:

The people of the Wood River Valley are very grateful that we are getting the help that we need. We have been drawn closer together as a community and grown to what we are today. Thank you, everyone, for the support and for the help that we have received.

During these times it is difficult to see others struggle but that is the most important time to help others. We now have the opportunity to support the ones that need it and more. Don’t take advantage of it but respect it. Take a step back and think about what is happening around you and find out a way to help or support. That is what the world needs right now. Everyone needs to calm down and stop worrying about themselves all the time. Think about your neighbor or your friend. Ask around and see who needs help and lend a helping hand. These are the most important things that we should be doing normally, not just when we are in times of need.

Caleb Morgan’s Instagram: @calebpaulmichaelstevieraymorgan

Youtube Channel: TheOceanButter