All-in-all, it’s been a tough time the last two months. Personally, I’ve been able to telework, so it hasn’t been really been a financial challenge for me. For many other Americans who don’t have jobs right now, though, wondering where the money is going to come from for groceries next week is one more concern in addition to dealing with the actual impact of the virus.
I’m starting to burn out on the social distancing. I get it, it’s necessary, but I think it’s one of the hardest aspects of the current situation to handle. Humans are fundamentally relational creatures and we’re cutting off something that intrinsically defines us as human.
The up-side of this is that people are spending tons of time with their families. The virus has prevented us from seeing our friends face-to-face, but the most important relationships in our lives have been preserved. That is a blessing since often times our culture is go-go-go. We spin out, we form relationships all the time with friends. And that is a good thing. Our base, though, that of the family, often times is neglected. The virus has allowed us to spend far more time with family than ever before. Hopefully, we use that time to heal relationships, love each other, and engage in each other’s lives.
The other upsides include homeschooling and distance learning. There are nearly 55 million children being homeschooled or otherwise taught at home. While obviously it’s not something that is feasible to continue for many people long-term, hopefully it will help to create an atmosphere of “school” freedom and give a homeschooling a positive boost in public opinion. Prayerfully, parents will make the most of it and try to see their children, not as immature demands on their time, wishing them to be gone, but as co-journeyer’s in life. Then, distance learning for college classes is a huge plus and might encourage more youngsters to realize that distance learning is a viable option and that they can avoid the high costs of college and decades of student loans; not to mention avoiding the moral morass that our centers of higher learning have become.
Another thought about the virus. A lot of people are complaining about how poor the American response has been and compared to Italy and South Korea. They feel that those nation’s response has been much better and ours has been bumbled at best. But when it really comes down to it, where would we rather be on the earth in a time like this? For me, there is only one answer: America.
America is the best situated, in my opinion, of any country to handle this situation. We are also best position to offer aid to other countries that need it. Sure there are instances of price gouging and other forms of bad capitalism, but let’s look at the big picture. Many of our companies are voluntarily re-directing their production lines to produce face masks, face shields, alcohol, hand sanitizer, etc. Our pharmaceuticals are working overtime to produce a vaccine and reliable antibody test. We are being extremely creative in our ways to keep people safe, conduct social distancing, and keep people employed where possible. Left to our own initiative, we are adapting and overcoming – the American spirit is shining thru.
The ability of our capitalistic system to pivot so quickly is, in my opinion, one of the clearest reasons in recent history why socialism and directed governance by experts is not the correct solution to governance. China is currently showcasing via social media (and ostensibly diplomatic channels as well) their actions in Wuhan as a case study for why authoritarian governments are best suited for our brave new world. They are certainly not squandering the moment. You would think they have it all buttoned up, but then they admit to double the fatality numbers over night (17 Apr). That can’t help but leave one to wonder, it is just a veneer? Are we in America just more honest and that’s why our response looks haphazard? (I’m playing devil’s advocate with my word choice.) When the dust settles, I will be interested to compare our response with theirs and see what ultimately has panned out.
I am praying to an end to the outbreak and for those affected. While it may be rough going now, God is our refuge and even the bad things that happen will be turned for our good in the end (Rom. 8:28).
“My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.
Ps. 121:1
