Since the pandemic began and the subsequent quarantine, I've found it an intriguing study of different human behaviors. My guess is that many among us could write about this subject. These are simply my own perceptions and observations.
Initially when the news broke out about the pandemic, I think most of us were concerned. There was good reason to be. We didn't fully know what the seriousness was of the COVID-19 virus and a multitude of facts were slow in coming and often changed. For days we all watched to learn what the symptoms were--did there have to be a fever? was pink eye a symptom? what about the coughing...dry or wet? What? Fever ISN'T necessary?! Are you serious? It was tough to differentiate the flu, allergies, a cold, or this mysterious and frightening virus that was sometimes reported to have been responsible for large family groups dying.
It was a subject easy to talk about because everyone was on the same page. But then something started to change. The liberal news seemed to be taking an angle that differed a little from lesser known news outlets. People began to question if the lockdown was needed. People began attacking others who had different opinions openly, verbally, on Facebook and Nextdoor.com about the wearing of masks.
The wearing of masks has been a fascinating evolution. In the beginning I remember seeing people wearing them and at that time reports said they did not help. It rather made me uncomfortable seeing people wearing them... Was I missing something??
Then masks were reported to help and we were implored to wear them. It has been said that if you care about your fellow man, don the mask! So we all got them and I wore one. The weeks passed and by this time we were about 6 weeks in to the pandemic. Things started to feel different when out in society. In conversations, friends would do a bit of a feel out to see where I stood. There were those that fell in to the camp of believing everything as it was reported by the mainstream media, and I was seeing a group that clearly questioned that outlet and brought up points to consider such as the fact they knew no one who'd contracted COVID-19. Masks became a hotly debated topic from time to time. I continued wearing one incase it helped and for the mental state of those who are panicked about getting COVID-19. The nastiness of people who think they must be worn really became clear though. I'm sadly amazed at how fearful people are and how quick they are to turn on their fellow man for having a different opinion on something. People on Stafford Talk, who say to wear a mask if you care, would then say those who don't wear them shouldn't get medical treatment. Wow! That's love!?
As far as no one knowing anyone who truly tested positive for COVID-19, most people believe it is a real virus. I certainly do. We have all heard stories about people dying from it or being very sick, but our hospitals have been rather empty and nurses aren't all working. People have started to not wear masks, or they'll start with a mask and when one person takes theirs off, others follow suit. It seems like more people I interact with are wearing them for the comfort of others who truly feel better if everyone is wearing them. The reason for this is that people are questioning how locked down we still are and this lockdown went in the first place. Bad choices or choices that seem born out of a desire to control, make people question motives. I was in MD recently and learned people have dubbed their Governor, "Lockdown Larry". That is not because they don't think the virus is real, but they question his motives and methods.
It has continued to be interesting to me to hear people at a higher risk than me want to hug or comment on the mask being a negative because we're continually breathing our own oxygen depleted air.
So now we have a new social question, "Are you hugging?" We have to be bold to say, "Not really." if we aren't comfortable. This virus is real, but we need to remember humanity is suffering in ways far worse than from a virus. The elderly are dealing with loneliness and some are struggling with depression for the first time in their lives. Living forever isn't going to happen for any one of us, and I'm seeing that me taking a personal risk is far more important in the grand scheme of things during this pandemic. Our own personal safety can't always rule the day if we are followers of Christ.
A terrific evangelist preached our evening service tonight, and the gist of his message was that we cannot live in fear as Christians. We ought to take wise precautions, but to live in fear is not something ever right for a follower of Christ. I agree.
We need to take the time to see those around us, those people God has put in our circle of influence, and reach out to them as best we can.
