EDITORIAL: We are still learning

May 22--Seven years ago today, a tornado of unimaginable strength seemingly brought Joplin and Duquesne to their knees.

But only for a few hours.

Thanks to what is now known across the world as "The Spirit of Joplin," first responders, next-door neighbors and anyone who owned a pickup truck and a chainsaw set to work, making amazing rescues, comforting those who had learned of the deaths of loved ones and clearing paths through a third of our city.

Each year on this anniversary, we remember those we lost. But we also take stock of what we have learned.

--Joplin homes had not been built to withstand tornadoes. On May 22, 2011, many took shelter in bathtubs as they had no safe rooms or basements. Of all the changes that have come about since that tragic day, recognition of the need for shelters is, in our view, one of the most important transformations of our town. Schools, including many districts outside of Joplin, have added safe rooms. Some of them double as community safe rooms. Homeowners have wisely rebuilt adding basements or safe rooms. Businesses have also taken steps to safeguard their customers and their employees.

--Volunteer organizations both big and small made the difference. Whether it was the well-organized, government-funded AmeriCorps or a small church congregation, the efforts, we quickly found, were tireless and came from willing hands and hearts.

--The mental health of our community had to be tended with as much care as the physical wounds. Joplin put programs in place quickly, but we think there is still much we can learn about the long-term effects of May 22, 2011, and the human psyche.

--Not everyone had the good of community in mind. Trust eroded, and in some cases the wheels fell off. Some lessons were learned harder than others.

--Celebrating business openings, new home ownership, new schools and human recovery kept the Joplin area moving forward. It was, in our view, those successes that helped the community to continue moving forward.

Perhaps you have your own list of lessons learned. Today would be a good day to review it.

Then, as with all learning, Joplin must continue to study the events of seven years ago to find answers for the future.

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