Munr Kazmir – Dielli

While the world is closed, explore the reasons not to panic. /

Whether coronavirus, COVID-19, will permanently alter life in the U.S. and around the world remains to be seen.

It is almost certain we will all be washing our hands a great deal more. Will handshakes become a thing of the past? How many future meetings will become emails?

Telecommuting, erstwhile the territory of the tech industry and the gig economy has found new life in the wake of what President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency as of Friday.

This weekend, people are working from home and sheltering in place with their families as events, school, work, and religious services are all cancelled or postponed. Hopefully this will give everyone plenty of time to do a little digging just below the frightening headlines for the science news about the virus crisis.

There we can all find a deep, calming breath in the form of the many excellent reasons not to panic:

In China, where the highest number of cases have been concentrated, the number of new cases has fallen significantly. Apple may have shuttered its stores in the U.S. as a precaution, but Apple factories in China have resumed business as usual.

Most cases are mild, and the death rate is low. Estimates of the worldwide death rate range between 0.7% and 3.8%- and it’s probably much closer to the lower end.

In the U.S., as of Friday, no one under the age of 50 has died. The median age of people who have died in the U.S. of COVID-19 is 80. Most of the people under 80 who have died have suffered from other serious underlying health conditions.

No children in the U.S. have become seriously ill from COVID-19.

Most of reported deaths have were in a cluster in a long-term care hospital in Washington.

The U.S. weathered the the Swine Flu in 2009, which appears to be much deadlier than COVID-19.

While any deaths from this terrible virus are tragic, the fact that the number of deaths in the U.S. hasn’t jumped overnight from around 40 people- where it is now- to 500, is greatly hearting as well.

There might even be a silver-lining- besides all the hand-washing.

In the wake of WWI in Great Britain, the British authorities understood a problem that before had lain beneath the surface.

Conscription of soldiers into military service had revealed a terrible truth about the impoverished classes. Widespread hunger, lack of education, malnourishment, and inhospitable living conditions had rendered too many young men unfit for military service.

This discovery led to changes that greatly expanded social safety net programs for poor people, improving the lives of future millions.

In addition, the British working-classes had played such an integral role in the war, they found their status, organization and representation in government greatly improved once it receded.

The coronavirus scare has also revealed some untenable things about modern American society.

We now understand far better how many impoverished families depend on their child’s school for meals– not just for education. This is one of the main reasons public schools in New York are struggling to remain open.

It is now clear also just how many parents of school-age children would struggle not only to feed those children if school were unexpectedly cancelled, but how many working parents can’t afford to take even one week off work in order to care for their child in an emergency.

We should understand, too, just how many of our community members live paycheck to paycheck, and what that means in crisis. It has been revealed just how dependent small businesses are on the patronage of people in the community.

Amazon will survive this temporary shut-down; your favorite neighborhood might struggle to keep the lights on after missing a month or two of income.

What if this virus had hit us during the holiday season so many retailers depend on all year?

A wealthy nation like the U.S. should not have so many perched precariously on a precipice of financial disaster.

It is times like this that should make everyone a little more open to ideas like the ones Sen. Bernie Sanders has been espousing.

Like Great Britain post-World War I, we have a chance to realize that our communities are only as strong as our weakest and most vulnerable members. Keeping our neighbors, and neighborhoods, safe, fed, healthy and educated is in the best interest of society.

Both in the long term, and when something truly terrible threatens.

So please, stop buying more toilet paper than you need let’s all remember the most important lessons we learn for this crisis; patience, perseverance and hand-washing.

(contributing writer, Brooke Bell)

By Munr Kazmir/

Much has been said in the last few months about new immigrants entering our Nation’s borders, though the debate has often focused on those who don’t deserve to be here.

However, today, I want to share the story of one who does: Frederik Ndoci.

Frederik’s story is a familiar one in the United States.

It resonated with me because it mirrors that of so many of my people, including myself.

Frederick’s story is one of suffering and resilience, obstacles and strength, oppression and freedom.

But above all, it is the story of the quintessential American dream.

Frederik is an Albanian singer, songwriter, poet, writer, actor, and an international recording artist.

He was born in 1960, a peculiar time in the long history of this small nation.

It was at the height of power for the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, a communist regime that rule from 1944 to 1992.

The regime ruled with an iron first, particularly against its own people.

And unsurprisingly, it failed to cultivate — and oftentimes explicitly banned — artistic talents, particularly those associated with western nations like the United States.

Nevertheless, Frederik’s talent was hard to miss, and thus hard to mute.

Recognizing this, his aunt Magdalena enrolled him in the local church’s choir — this was, of course, before the communist party

banned religion altogether.

Excited to finally practice his art, Frederik began singing in the group.

But Sister Anunjata, the nun tasked with overseeing the choir, had other plans.

“You aren’t one for the choir,” she told him.

Engulfed in tears, young Frederik thought that his dreams of becoming a musician came to a screeching halt.

Sensing his dismay, Sister Anunjata continued: “No, no. You can’t be in the choir because you were born to sing solo. God has blessed you with a special talent.”

From there, Frederik often left his small, north-Albanian city of Shkodër to perform for crowds and enter singing competitions, where he won first place time and again.

And his talents did not end there.

As an example of his extraordinary abilities, Frederik participated in his first art exhibition at age seven.

And he began acting as well, starring in leading and supporting roles.

As Frederik was raising in the ranks of stardom, the communist Albanian government took notice.

So, when he began participating in films that encouraged freedom and democracy, the communist government declared him “an enemy of the people” and accused him of working on behalf of other countries (including the CIA, FBI, and KGB, to name a few).

Like many of my Jewish brothers and sisters in Nazi Germany, Frederik was banned from performing his talents and from joining artistic organizations in Albania.

But again, Frederik’s talents were hard to mute. Although Frederik continued to pursue his acting career, he focused primarily on his first love: music. His unmatched range and abilities led to his recognition as “Man of a Thousand Voices.”

Frederik’s albums Canta Frederik and Sono Gitano, for instance, became bestsellers worldwide, particularly in Italy.

And another album, Frederik and Friends, featuring American Christian sacred songs, was very well received in the United States.

The world also noticed Frederik’s all-encompassing talents.

He has fifteen Grammy nominations for several categories, including record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best new artist, best male pop vocal performance, best pop vocal album, and best instrumental arrangement.

Frederik also holds one IMA nomination and countless awards from his home country.

Understanding the plight of oppression from his own life experience, Frederick has made sure to exhibit his talents to those who fight against it.

Notably, when Pope Francis made his first official European visit to Albania, Frederik performed seven songs for the Pope.

He also performed for the late Mother Teresa. I was happy to find out that my dear friend has performed in Israel, too.

And members of Frederik’s family who lived in the United States were recognized for their efforts on behalf of the Jewish people in New York.

His wife belongs to Panduku Family, that has supported Jewish community in the past.

But there is more.

In addition to being a superstar cultural icon, Frederik is an exemplary family man.

A father of four, Frederik is incredibly dedicated to his wife and children.

His two oldest children, Flodia and Klea, live in California.

And his two youngest children — Nikolo, already an exceptional dancer; and Marilu, an academic superstar — are the source of his strength to continue fighting for what is right and serving as an example for all of us lucky enough to know him.

Frederik serves also as Cultural Adviser for the oldest Albanian — American organization named PanAlbanian Federation of America “VATRA” (The Hearth) founded on 1912, the most powerful organization in strengthening the relations between US and Albania.

When Frederik was named “Man of a Thousand Voices,” I don’t think it was only because he sings baritone, tenor, bass, countertenor, arias, romantic ballads, rock songs, and Napolitano — all in authentic style.

Nor was it only because he sings in six different languages — in three distinct vocal ranges.

Rather, it is because his strength, resilience, and determination to exercise his talents and fight his oppression makes him a man that speaks for us all — a man worthy and deserving of the privileges of this country.

Riding the COVID-19 Storm Out

Frederik Ndoci: A Man of a Thousand Voices