Large snowstorms, like the one that blanketed our area this week, have a way of bringing out both the best and worst in people. As soon as the forecast predicted significant snowfall, grocery stores were besieged by shoppers eager to stock up on bread, milk and toilet paper.
This week’s snowstorm brought back memories of a similar event in 2016. Then, as now, I witnessed acts of camaraderie as well as moments of impatience. For example, I recall a woman snapping at me, “Why aren’t your children in school!” as I hurriedly moved them out of the way of her shopping cart.
Once the snow began to fall, stories of humanity’s extremes started to fill my social media feeds and the news. People banded together to dig out stuck vehicles, clear paths for emergency responders, and ensure neighbors had food and warmth. I heard about friends working tirelessly to clear a road for someone near her due date and an entire neighborhood coming out to push a fire truck stuck in the snow.
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Unfortunately, not all stories reflected such kindness. Many expressed frustration over parking spots—hours of effort spent digging them out, only to return and find another vehicle occupying them. There were also reports of thieves taking advantage of the storm, like the $50,000 worth of equipment stolen from a garage in King George…