… I know that it has been at least since the third week of March that we have been at this “Stay at home shelter,” thing. I am starting to lose count. Whether it has been a month, month and a half, or almost two months, any way you look at it, it feels like it has been a very long time.
I have had so many thoughts running through my mind as I read news headlines or see the comments on daily news briefs online. There are people who are complaining that they need a haircut or that they need to go out to eat… Nobody “NEEDS” to do any of those, but I do understand, that such businesses are hurting financially and need the money. I am all for helping the fellow businessman but I am also for protecting one’s health. I have never felt so conflicted. I feel that lives matter more than money or more than any economy. After-all, an economy needs people. But then, the people behind those jobs, behind those businesses within the economy- their lives matter and some depend on their businesses to survive. No matter how you look at it, the virus has impacted everyone’s life in some shape or form….
We are walking a very fine line. Some news interviews are showing people who are stating “they feel like they are in prison.” …. I don’t understand how, when we can go outdoors, get take-out, buy our groceries, get medication and even visit local nearby state parks. No, we can’t shake hands or give hugs, but we can converse with someone who is within six feet of us… Most of us have had to shop online for retail purposes or pick up curbside – but at least we can still do those things. I try to look at the resources I have available at my fingertips instead of thinking of what I can’t do…. No, we haven’t been able to worship in our own sanctuaries – but again, it is to keep everybody safe. We have been able to worship online and, there are ways “to be church” outside our buildings. Whether that means volunteering somewhere, checking in on those who are most vulnerable, picking up medication or groceries, or just picking up the telephone to those who might be lonely. There are opportunities for us, we just need to be creative right now.
And while it is very hard to picture or believe right now, we won’t be in this phase forever. Eventually, we will move into phases with less restrictions but we still need to be careful with our hygiene, wear masks and maintain social/physical distance. I understand those who have health issues that keep them from wearing masks, but in my opinion, wearing masks is not taking away our rights. Social distancing is not taking away our rights. When you wear a mask, and I wear a mask, we are protecting each other from the virus. When you stand 6 feet away from me and I stand 6 feet away from you, we are protecting each other from the virus. That is exactly what it means, when it says, “We are all in this together.” If we stop looking at this virus in a political manner, and start working together as a team, we will find a way to defeat this invisible war.
At the beginning, everyone was together…. The virus brought the world together…. It brought neighbors together. But now, we have begun to become divided. I call this “The COVID Battles.” On one side, people are stating their rights are being violated…. and the other side, people are wanting to be protected. Nobody’s rights are being violated. For example, if someone you knew and loved had Cancer, and you were told to wear a mask in their presence, and to wear gloves so that you can see them – would you feel violated? Would you think your rights were being taken away? No -you would do that, because the person you were visiting, you loved and cared about and wanted to protect them. That is what we are doing for this virus. We are protecting each other. It is breaking my heart to hear that so many people don’t wish to help protect others around them. There is another war brewing (or already happening) and that is the war between the selfless and the selfish (which was how someone I knew put it – and they were exactly right)….
We should not be battling each other right now. This should not be a political situation. This should be a chance to help the fellow man, for us to come together and work to stop the spread of this virus.
If people would stop fighting and just work together, perhaps we can begin to discuss how businesses can safely reopen, and how to safely stimulate our economy without it becoming a full on war…. There are ways through this. But everyone has to work together. Now I just pray it isn’t too late….
Ariana R. Cherry: Poet & Artist 