Wood Harvesting is Essential during Coronavirus Pandemic

And seemingly overnight, loggers are a necessity again. With the global coronavirus pandemic, Americans flocked to grocery stores, dollar stores, wholesale stores and cleared the shelves of toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins. Such a bizarre thing for people to go after in my opinion, but it’s what they did. The Department of Homeland Security recognized the forest products industry as “essential” and stated that we have an obligation to continue working through this pandemic. Apparently the municipalities didn’t get the memo, because the roads are still posted…. but I digress. The ground in the woods is too soft for us to operate anyways but still, the irony.

Suddenly, farmers, truckers, loggers, teachers, and nurses and other undervalued workers are being thanked for their work. We are being forced to slow down and recognize whats really important in our lives. It isn’t t-ball, piano lessons, trendy clothes, newest tech. This coronavirus pandemic is very unsettling. Not only is our nation and our world worried about being sick and over whelming the healthcare industry to the point where we can’t be saved, but just as much so, we are worried about the economy. And I’m not talking the economy in a sense that I won’t be able to buy a boat, or a pool, or a new purse. We’re talking economy like, will I be able to heat my home, pay the electricity bill, and most importantly, feed my family. The poor men and women who depend on those boats, pools, and purses being sold in order to feed their families must be shuttering with anxiety wondering if and when we will get back to a place where people indulge in such extravagances.

This sucks on so many levels it is hard to wrap our heads around what the impact will really be. We feel very fortunate that forest product manufacturing and logging are considered essential. We also feel blessed that we may be able to provide some financial relief to individuals and families by purchasing their timber. As we move through this pandemic and resultant blow to our economy, we anticipate we will continue to be able to move our products. Wood products can be found in more than just your toilet paper and building materials. The cellulose from the breakdown of pulp is also found in medications, food, toothpaste, and countless other products necessary for everyday life and it is our duty to continue to provide the raw material necessary to see us through.

“You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.” - Janis Joplin

Stay well!