The Storm

As I write this our world is in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation is extremely fluid and I'm not convinced anyone truly understands all that is taking place. The experts are in agreement this is a serious situation, but lack of experience with anything quite like it prevents a cohesive streamlined response. In what, at times, seems to be chaos, there exists a myriad of ideas and opinions on how to proceed.

There is no consensus among leaders on to what extent the country needs to be quarantined nor on when it will be appropriate to reopen the economy safely. Lots of opinions from what, in normal times, would be termed special interest groups; medical experts, small business, big business, politicians, the elderly, the young, athletes, performers, graduates, et al.. Everyone has an opinion on the level of seriousness and what a proper response to the pandemic should like.  Some use press briefings to get their message across. Others express themselves by ignoring the so-called experts. Still others gather in support of those most affected or in protest of the inconvenience being imposed upon them.

I know there will eventually be a consensus formed on proper measures and responses. Likely after the fact when hindsight validates the correct steps and invalidates others.  Unfortunate, that, for consensus is what the world seeks in this time. Knowledge. We simply want to know what we are up against and how to best address it so we can forward together.

"We're all in this together" is heard from many signifying this yearning. We must unite for the good of all in our struggle against this virus. A Utopian wish if ever there were one. As stated previously, disagreement abounds. With each passing day it seems differing views are becoming more polarized with opposition being seen as selfish. We are pulling apart instead of coming together.

"We are all in the same boat and must row in the same direction."

Okay, I get it. I understand we are all in "this" together, but it is not a boat we are in together. No, we are in the same storm. There are many boats in this storm as outlined above. Some boats will survive in good shape. Others will be battered beached and need repair. Some boats will be shipwrecked and lost forever.

As I considered this the unpredictability of a tornado came to mind. In the aftermath of a tornado how can one house be obliterated and the neighboring house left virtually unscathed?  It's unfathomable to our minds and so difficult to grasp. We look to rationalize the results on any level we can. Intellectually we search for logical reasons. Spiritually we look for justification and salvation. Some people do their best to simply shrugged results off and concentrate on moving forward. All these responses and more are present today as the battle against Covid-19 rages on.

I do not know when this will come to an end.  No one really does. The best hope seems to be for the development of a vaccine. That process generally takes up to 18 months meaning we could have another 15 months to endure disruptions to our "normal" life patterns. I think we all appreciate those life patterns will never return to what they once were. That's okay. The only constant in life is change. This pandemic has simply accelerated change to an uncomfortable pace for most of us.

Change is inevitable.

Some people readily embrace change.

Other people resist change.

Sooner or later everyone accepts change or are left behind.

That's my message today. Seek to become aware of change. Try to discern the positive changes this crisis is bringing to your life. Also identify negative changes occurring in your life that you may learn from them and work to move on from them or prepare better to battle them in the future. Plan for the future and act upon those plans with compassionate prudence and qualified expeditiousness. We are all in "this" together with the same goal of surviving "this" in mind.