17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 20)
The battle against the Covid Virus seems to be winding down. As of May 20th most states are beginning to relax the “shelter in home” mandate in order to gradually re-open up businesses. Businesses will still have strict regulations such as 50% capacity, six feet apart, and masks and gloves. At least it is a move in the right direction…which I think we all applaud.
It has been a costly battle economically and personally. It is estimated that 20-25% of small businesses will be bankrupt and never open again. Their life time dreams and hard work have been taken away from them because of the shut down. About 10% of our nation’s workers have been out of work, as many as the Great Depression. Statistics say that only 70% will be rehired. Imagine the ripple effect of mortgage foreclosures, no money for college tuition, no company medical coverage, no income for utilities. It’s too late for those citizens.
I believe that a few years from now we will learn the a number of truths behind the country-wide shut down. Yes, I hope it lowered the curve of infections. But I wonder about the oncoming spike when all of us who have sheltered in and have weakened our immune system decide take our positions, stand up, and re-enter the world. We have not killed the virus; we have simply physically avoided it for a while. Was the nation-wide devastation worth it? I hope so.
Statistics about the Covid Virus have been fairly unreliable and interpreted quite differently. But it looks like the death rate for the Covid Virus compared to pneumonia death rates are about the same. Yet we have never shut down our nation over pneumonia outbreaks or the flu? Why was the panic button pressed this time?
Our federal and state governments have greatly overstepped their powers… and run by fear, we let them. They have “required”, not “recommended”, certain personal behaviors and have taken away our freedoms. Robin could not visit her dying son in the hospital, nor could Lennie see her dying mother. No funerals allowed; only ten could be at a graveside service. Hair stylists who opened early were arrested; a mother bringing her child to a park was arrested; ministers were arrested and fined for holding worship services…even for outdoor drive-in types of services. Our government is meant to represent us, not control us. When people live in fear, the government can control us easily. Just look at history. God however says: “Do not fear; do not be discouraged.”
Who were they to decided who was “essential” and who was not. They arrested people who dared to exercise their Constitutional rights. If you exercised your personal freedoms, you were labeled as “selfish”, uncaring, a potential threat. Sound familiar historically?
I wish no one died from the virus. I also wish no one dies from pneumonia, AIDS, asthma, blood clots, the flu. The difference is…how our governments responded so harshly and why.
While you enjoy the lessening of restrictions, may you continue to be cautious and healthy! . “Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”
Pastor Bruce