One of our members forwarded a post today that mirrors some things that my son and I have been discussing the last several weeks. It is on the mind of many, and has been stated by the President himself when he said that we must make sure the “cure isn’t worse than the disease.” Justin’s post read:
“There isn’t actually any contradiction in the beliefs that (A) the virus is dangerous, (B) mass unemployments is dangerous, and (C) authoritarian government policies are dangerous. There needn’t be any cognitive dissonance holding all three at once; they’re not mutually exclusive.” – Caitlin Johnstone
All of us are preoccupied with the coronavirus pandemic. The latest guidelines include wearing masks or scarves in public, and a consideration of a federal shelter in place directive that would encompass the entire nation. Everyone is scared.
However, the pandemic has ramifications far beyond getting ill. I saw a graph last night showing the metaphoric increase in unemployment claims in the last few days. Nothing like this has happened in the entire time such statistics have been kept in America.
Watching the news, I heard a Florida sheriff talking about his greatest concern. He said there has already been an increase in calls regarding domestic abuse. He was worried about those who live with abusers, who may have lost a job, who can’t go anywhere, and may be drinking or doing drugs. He said this complication from the pandemic is only beginning to show itself, and is very dangerous!
One of our own widows mentioned how hard it is to be sheltering in place, when no one is there to shelter with her. Such loneliness can certainly lead to discouragement, and possibly even depression. In fact, a recent survey shows that 36% of Americans have had their mental health severely impacted by the virus.
So, let’s broaden our focus a little bit. I don’t know of any in our number who personally has come down with the virus. I don’t even know anyone at all, though friends of friends have mentioned being touched by it. But, I do know that we all are suffering more than the simple boredom of being stuck at home. I know that we need to focus on the varied needs that present themselves. And determine which ones we may help satisfy, especially among our brethren. Think about it, and try to do something!
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
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