Pandemic’s One-Year Anniversary Signals Need for Nonprofit Vigilance

The one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic has come and gone, and vigilance is more important than ever. While ongoing vaccine distribution is a ray of hope, Americans must continue to take the proper precautions to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus—from wearing masks to physically distancing.

More than one year on, is the pandemic dragging? Yes, for all of us. We want to be there to hug our grandchildren, walk our daughters down the aisle, attend college graduations, and everything in between. However, fewer than one-third of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, meaning that symptomatic transmission remains a major concern. We are not out of the woods yet.

Still, there is reason for optimism. The global pharmaceutical industry has accomplished much in the last year, developing not one, but several, vaccines for the general public. Well over 100 million COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered. There should be enough vaccines for America’s entire adult population by the summer.

But, in the midst of unspeakable tragedy, there is more to the COVID-19 success story than private-sector innovation (buoyed by government funding). America’s nonprofit organizations have also been hard at work in recent months, pivoting from in-person to virtual fundraising as a means to serve those in need. At the American Lung Association, our largest fundraiser is the Trek Across Maine, encouraging Trekkers to enjoy time on their bike while supporting the American Lung Association’s life-saving work. Last year, the Trek went virtual with only two months’ notice, yet we still managed to raise more than $550,000 from across the country.

For us, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After all, the coronavirus is a respiratory disease, often leading to shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. It has been known to cause lung complications like pneumonia and, in the worst cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). With more than 546,000 U.S. deaths to its name, the coronavirus has tragically reminded us all to focus on lung health and do our part to prevent lung disease.

According to public-health experts, the virus that causes COVID-19 could become endemic, meaning that Americans will be forced to face its consequences beyond 2021. This also means that millions of people will face elevated risk levels, due to pre-existing conditions. Nearly 37 million Americans live with a chronic lung disease, such as asthma and COPD. Compounded by the prevalence of lung cancer, the coronavirus will regrettably continue to prey on the vulnerable in the years to come.

If vigilance is important for the general public, it is paramount for the nonprofit sector, which serves on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. Nonprofits like the American Lung Association have a pivotal role to play in championing pandemic solutions, especially on behalf of the most at-risk Americans. Last year, we launched a $25 million initiative to end the pandemic and defend against future respiratory viruses, including donating more than $2 million to one dozen COVID-19 researchers over the next two years. But we cannot grow complacent; nonprofits can and should do more.

The phrase “we’re in it together” may seem like a cliche now, but it is 100 percent true for those on the frontlines. Togetherness, spurred on by vigilance, is the calling for America’s nonprofits. It is our duty to save lives.

Entering the second year of the pandemic, today is our moment to set new goals. By protecting our lungs, we can all take the deep breath needed to recalibrate and reach new heights in the months ahead.

Jeffrey T. Stein, CFP^® CRPS^® CPFA^® serves as Chair of the American Lung Association’s Northeast Regional Board.