We're all in
this together.
My
how things change in a week's time.
When
I wrote last week's Wednesday Word we were beginning to hear of major
closings around the state, country, and world. The Dioceses of
Washington and Virginia closed all churches for the time being. Our
bishop came out with a statement giving protocols for Communion and
coffee hour, with the focus on a “low touch” or “no touch”
Eucharist.
On
Thursday we learned that the Diocese of Maryland would also require
churches to suspend worship services and other gatherings until at
least March 27 after the governor closed schools. My ecumenical
colleagues followed suite, with some opting to close until April 1.
Yesterday
the governor closed all restaurants and bars, gyms, and movie
theaters. Washington County has declared a state of emergency. The
City of Hagerstown has canceled council meetings through March. And
the governor has just delayed the presidential primary, Preakness,
and reduced public transit.
I
spoke with my neighbor yesterday and she asked, “Have you been to
the grocery store?? People are nuts. One man was buying up cases of
bottled water because he thought the water lines would be shut off.
And people are being mean.”
All
of this reminded me of the bank scene in, “It's a Wonderful Life.”
I
bring this up because, yes, we need to be careful. Yes, we need to
practice healthy habits. Yes, we need to practice social distancing.
But we also need to practice restraint. We need to realize that we
aren't the only ones in this crisis. We've got to have faith in each
other. We need fewer Toms and more Eds, Mrs. Thompsons, and Ms.
Davis'.
We
are living in times most of us have only read about – the plague,
the cholera outbreak, the Spanish flu. We need to take this
seriously and do what we can to remain safe and flatten the infection
curve. But we also need to understand that we are all in this
together. To forget that is to forget that our society, and our
faith for that matter, are based in community. Because really, how
much water, hand sanitizer, or toilet paper will one person actually
need?
Be well,
I've recently that it looked as if people thought Baltimore was going to stop pumping water. I was joking, but this man was serious? Honestly, I've NEVER understood paying more per gallon for something that comes free out of the tap, than you pay for gasoline. Get a Britta is you're worried.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me started on toilet paper! I have a friend in Wales, and she said they do the same thing over there. Lord, what fools these mortals be. (Present company excepted, of course.)