Reflections on the Coronavirus, Peter Tarjan, Miami, Florida

Ten days ago, we heard bad news about the local situation regarding the corona virus. It was March 19, 2020. 

Seventy-six years ago to the day, when I was seven, my father turned on the radio in Budapest and the announcements were in German gibberish.  That was the day Hitler decided to occupy Hungary, Germany’s ally. They immediately took over the radio and used it to communicate with the mobile units in code language. 

We knew drastic changes were coming in our lives then and now again. We had no idea that a year from then my Aunt Agnes and I would be the only survivors of our family in Hungary. Two more returned from the camps during the summer.

We really had no idea of the extent of the destruction within the next few months then and we don’t really know what is coming now thousands of miles away.

New York State has about 5 percent of the population of the USA, but 60 percent of the positive cases. These numbers are somewhat reminiscent of 1944 statistics. About 6 percent of the population of Hungary was Jewish and about 75 percent perished within a year.

I do hope with all my heart that the comparison is inappropriate.

Best wishes to all!

Peter Tarjan