--- title: The News description: Frank Merrick reflects on the challenges posed by Covid-19, emphasizing the strength and resilience of the FIRST community. --- Written by Frank Merrick. I tried to write this blog Friday, the day after the news came out, and I couldn't. Honestly, I just felt drained. The last few weeks have been Championship-level busy for the staff as we worked to deal with what the virus was throwing at all of us. These truly are unprecedented times. Having a couple days to regroup with the folks in *FIRST* HQ and hear from many of you, I’ve thought a great deal about the hurt and disappointment we are all experiencing together. But I have also thought about the strength that lies in our mission, our staff, our volunteers and our teams. Strength that has developed over decades. Strength that has been honed in the crucible of challenge. The kind of strength that doesn't change with the weather. Yep, there's a storm outside. But there are no better people on this planet with whom I'd rather weather this storm. Stay strong, and please take care of yourselves, your families, and your friends. We'll have more information about the season soon. Frank ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/2020-the-news) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/2020-the-news) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/2020-the-news) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Robotics Competition Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first-robotics-competition-staff) ### Related Posts ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) Stop Build Day in 2019 and 2020 November 13, 2018 ** [FTC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/ftc), [FLL](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/fll), [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) 2025-2026 FIRST Program Registration Pricing March 31, 2025 ** [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) New Co-Chief Field Supervisor June 1, 2020 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)