A few weeks ago, my family was surprised by an enormous swarm of bees at our house.
They flocked by the hundreds just outside the back door off our patio. The noise was like a buzz saw, angry and ready for anything within its reach. Thankfully we were all safe inside, away from the looming threat where we were minutes before.
After several visits from the “bee guys,” decked out in bee suites with smoke cannons, the bees still remain. Apparently, the queen has found the perfect residents inside the structural beam of the patio for her honeycomb palace. The bee colony continues to find the smallest cracks to squeeze through to get to her. They are just living, part of this world, not even knowing the fear they’ve created.
My wife and I are not allergic to bees. We have no idea if any of our four children are. While we haven’t seen a swarm like we did the first day, the colony thrives. Bees impatiently funnel in and out, colliding with anything that gets in their way.
During our 60 days and counting of home quarantine in Spain, these bees made me think about how we define safety, when and where we should assume risk and when and where we shouldn’t.
The first day we noticed the bees, we remained inside for the rest of the day. Well, I went out with a makeshift bee suit on to grill salmon for my wife’s birthday but locked up otherwise. Day two we were extra cautious as well. Day three, the “bee guys” made attempt number one to forcefully remove the bees. This offered us some comfort and we began to play outside again, just with distance and caution. Fast forward two more weeks, one more attempt at extermination, and a pending third visit later this week and here we are.
What are we to do? What is the risk of my children getting stung? What are the possible consequences of them getting stung? While we cannot answer these questions with any level of certainty, we have elected to cautiously enjoy life outside the walls of our home. It became clear that the emotional well-being of our children provided more safety than continuing to lock up inside. While it made sense to continue avoiding the bees altogether out of fear of the unknown possibilities, as time went on, we began to define safety differently. The risk of our emotional well-being outweighed the risk of getting stung by the bees.
I don’t think it’s a stretch for me to apply this bee-hive illustration to the world’s current state. How do we define safety? What risk are we willing to take and why?
I support our leaders and professional experts. Many are courageously serving during this time of crisis. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions. Some may never be answered. At some point, there is value in wisdom and re-assessing risk in terms of safety.
Safety for some may mean risking it all to simply put food on the table. Safety for others may be a full M95 mask and protective suit as they care for those in need. Safety for others may be school to escape a dangerous home life. For others, it may be locking up inside the comfort of their home with everything they need. The point is, safety for one doesn’t mean, or guarantee, safety for all.
Going forward, we have an undeniable obligation to care for each other. But we must remember this may look differently depending on how everybody defines safety.
The world has changed. Over the last two months we have seen a response to a crisis unlike anything in modern history. Plagues, pestilence and disease are not new, but the response to this particular virus is unprecedented. While there have been regional responses to disease in the past, globalization and social media provide rich soil for world-wide and real time responses. We could speculate as to why this response has been so extreme, but the more important question I believe is where we go from here and what are the standards for determining that path.
The path forward is a murky one. Those in leadership have to make difficult choices, with some oversimplifying the choice as choosing between physical well-being over economic well-being. Unfortunately, however, the choice is not that simple. One thing that framework suggests is that physical well-being was assured before this crisis began. It assumes that no one was dying before this virus started sweeping the globe, which is obviously not true.
In response, leadership asked people to stay at home to protect the vulnerable populations and give the healthcare system space to meet demand. The goal of social distancing was clear – to flatten the curve and to not overwhelm the healthcare system. Flattening the curve and protecting the vulnerable are worthy and achievable goals that everyone should strive to help accomplish. But remember, the stated goal was never to eliminate death or sickness.
Now however, two paths seem to be emerging in the way forward: open up the economy with measures of protection or keep lockdowns in place until safety can be achieved. In order to achieve safety, the definition of safety has to be determined. What if what is safe for one is not safe for all? Is a vaccine the only hope for reopening society? What if someone doesn’t want the vaccine? Will they be mandated to take it in order to achieve the desired level of safety? These are all difficult questions to wrestle with, but one thing is certain: humans have a 100% death rate; so, I think we would all agree that the goal of zero deaths from any virus is an impossible standard. So how many deaths are ok?
Let’s look at the numbers for the flu for some perspective. (Before you start launching tomatoes, I’m not comparing the viruses themselves, just the numbers.) So even with the very best medicine can offer, a vaccine with about a 40% effective rate[1], and years for people to build up antibodies, as many as 61,000 people die every year in the US of the flu[2]. And yet, each flu season, as a society we carry on with life as normal. Some people put great effort into decreasing their chances of sickness – increased sanitizing regimes, avoiding large crowds, taking natural supplements or over the counter medications. Some people, however, take no precautions and take their chances with the possibilities of getting the virus. Even in isolated incidents, some schools have closed for a short period of time for extra sanitation measures if a particularly high outbreak has occurred. Up until now, Americans have generally accepted this scenario of tens of thousands of people dying of one disease as normal, albeit sad, reality.
The data from this virus is hard to pin down, but here are the things we know:
The death projections in the US went from 2.2 million in the worst-case scenarios to about 60,000, or the same level as the flu.[3]
The death numbers are inflated. Dr. Deborah Birx stated on April 7, “If someone dies with COVID-19, we are counting that,”[4] So a patient who dies of a heart attack c would be listed as a Covid-19 death if it was reasonably assumed the patient had the virus.
Far more people have had the virus than the test numbers reflect, which also makes the death rate lower than once thought.[5]
USNS Comfort is no longer needed in NYC and was only used for a small number of patients.
At least two Army Field hospitals that were built have been taken down for lack of need.
With this information in mind, we need to examine the two paths of thought we see in our country – extending lockdowns until a measure of safety can be achieved or reopening life and economies with some social distancing measures. With either path you run into the question of the value of democracy and individual rights. How do we make the leap from viruses and vaccines to democracy?
In democracies and free markets people get something that no other system of government can offer: freedom of choice. A democratic government “derives its powers from the consent of the governed.” American democracy was such a radical idea because for the first time in human history every voice in society would get an equal vote. This meant that those in leadership weren’t the “elite” of humankind and that riches or birthright didn’t determine who could govern. It meant that education did not determine the worth of your voice. The Declaration of Independence boldly declared that every person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, not because the government bestows it upon them, but because it is given to them by their Creator. Although it took America years to get there, every person has the opportunity to freely choose the laws placed over them through representation.
The one tricky question in democracy has always what rights belong to the federal government, what rights belong to the state and what rights belong to the individual. Systems like communism cannot afford to give people liberties like the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion because their system requires compliance. Freedoms and compliances sometimes are at odds, especially when the governed have no voice in their representation.
So, then what is the role of the government for us as Americans? Is it to keep us safe? Is it to provide for our every need? It is to care for the poor? Is to heal the sick? I believe Abraham Lincoln said it best, “That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more.”
We can make decisions about our health. We can make decisions about how and where we worship. We can make decisions about how we express our opinions and how we treat others. We do not need the government to regulate these things. There are many things we normally do on our own that only come into question at times of crisis. Fear drives people to look to a higher power for protection and security, to assure them everything will be ok.
Thurgood Marshall said, “History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.”[6]
So, what does this civics lesson have to do with Covid-19? That remains to be seen, but the potential exists for liberties to be taken and never returned if fear is allowed to dominate the conversation.
What if a state decided that in order to return to work, you had to receive a vaccine? Or that schools would not reopen until a vaccine was available? This is one example of ideas swirling around that would provide a feeling of safety for some, but an abuse of liberty for all. Defining “essential work” could be another in an extended lockdown. A hair stylist may not be listed an essential job, but if a single mom of three is dependent on it to feed her children, the hard lines of what is essential and not become more blurred.
Or what if every flu season a version of the last two months is replayed?
Democracies allow for freedom of choice and depend on the moral compass of the governed. There is no middle ground for democracy. Enacting restrictions so severe people are forced to comply out of fear is tyranny. The Civil War, The Great Depression, World War II and 9/11 each had instances of overstep by the government defended by urgency. Some were rescinded and some were not. We are at a pivotal point in our nation where we need to be aware of decisions being made and the long-term effects on our freedoms.
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”[7]
The government cannot legislate morality and kindness. The government cannot make us think of our neighbor more than ourselves. Free people have to make that choice. If they are not governed by the law of God in their hearts, then the government often steps in to enforces laws. Given the sin nature of man, this is a natural consequence, but this is not how government works best because even at their best, leaders’ actions are never without motives and influence. This works well for you only if you agree with the motives and influence of the current leaders.
It is the responsibility of people and the church to step into these roles of caring for others, not the government’s. As a whole the church has done such a woeful job of this, that now a generation has been brought up to believe that the role of the government is far broader than it needs to be.
The answer is not more government regulation. The answer is that as a nation need to think of others more than ourselves. We need to do what is in our power to keep the disease from spreading, but not let our fear overpower common sense. We need to ask discerning questions and not just take information as it is presented. We need to hold our leaders accountable and ask questions when things seem to not add up. We need to help our neighbors instead of expecting the government to do it. We need to make our voices heard when federal government grabs for powers that should lie with the individual or the state, while at the same time obeying rules placed for our good that may just be a temporary discomfort.
This all takes wisdom and discernment in a time of media sensationalism, political division and self-serving ideologies. Our leaders need prayer and divine wisdom in the days ahead. Let’s pray for them and look for ways to serve those around us and put others before ourselves.
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpast.” Ps. 57:1
I called my ninety-one-year-old Ma-maw last night, who is from a generation of people familiar with uncertainty and upheaval (the Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam, The Cuban Missile Crisis, assassinations), and she admitted she had never seen a time quite like the one we find ourselves in today. While there are many things we don’t know, there are a few things we can be sure of – today people need love, grace, and hope.
So often our excuse for not helping others is that we are too busy. BOOM. Problem solved. What a gift of time we have been given. Let’s not squander it.
I can already feel the pushback, “This is too big. I’m one person. I’m not a doctor or a scientist. There’s nothing I can do that will make a difference.”
Andy Stanley often says, “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”
Here are some things you can do today that will make a difference for someone.
Give Spring Break Away – Our family was supposed to leave on Friday for an epic road trip through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. We often wing our travel plans a bit, but not this time. A concert in Vienna, glamping in Slovenia, stunning national parks and more. Not is that trip canceled, but our entire spring itinerary is gone thanks to a 60-day DOD travel ban. We are not the only ones with canceled trips.
What if we all took the money we were going to use for these trips and gave it away? For many of us, our paychecks will not be altered during this time, however there will be millions whose paychecks stop as the service industry screeches to a halt. Look at your budget – how much more money will you have this month because you won’t be going out to eat, going to movies or going out with friends?
We can bridge the gap for someone this month. Think small. Here’s some ideas:
Pay the rent and/or utilities for a waiter or waitress
Give to a local food bank or school providing food for students
Buy six-month’s worth of gift cards from your hair stylist, nail salon or favorite locally owned restaurant.
Give an impacted family gift cards for groceries that will last for a month
Give to organizations that are helping meet these needs
We cannot sit back and expect the government to bail out every industry and individual impacted through this. We can make a difference if we take the time to find out where there are needs and then do for one what we wish we could do for all.
If you are in need, please let someone know! No one can help if they don’t know there is a need.
Support your Local Church & Businesses – Churches depend on weekly offerings to function. If you are a regular attender at a church, do not forget to do this! We need our churches more than ever to be avenues of hope and help for our communities. Virtually every church has ways for you to give online, or if you are like my mom and still use checks, you could even stick one in the mail.
If possible, continue paying for things like gym memberships and art lessons, even if classes are canceled. You can probably handle paying for a gym membership you aren’t using, but can your gym afford for the majority of its members to cancel? Move things like counseling, music lessons, and tutoring sessions online instead of canceling. Reschedule trips instead of canceling, if possible.
Do What You Can – For most of us, we have more free time that we have ever experienced in our adult lives. We can do better than setting Netflix viewing records. What are you good at? What can you offer to a neighbor or friend that you normal wouldn’t have time to do? A friend in text group said yesterday, “My superpower is menu planning.” That is a gift she can offer to local friends holed up in their apartments. God has uniquely gifted each one of us with different strengths that can shine through this dark time. Here’s some ideas:
Write letters to elderly friends, family members or nursing home residents.
Offer to buy groceries for an older neighbor.
Offer to buy groceries or run errands for your friends that are nurses and doctors.
Start an online Bible Study or book club using Zoom or other video platform (this works for kids or adults).
Offer a virtual weekly prayer time for those in your neighborhood.
Post daily workouts for kids as PE ideas.
Buy only what you and your family need. Think of others above yourself. If you have a year’s worth of anything, would you be willing to share with a local food bank to help meet the needs of others?
Even if you do nothing else on this list, could I ask you to pray? Pray for our leaders, health professional, emergency responders, grocery store employees, teachers, pastors, and others on the front lines of this. Pray they have the wisdom and good health to lead us through this. If you want to pray, but aren’t sure how or have questions about faith, please contact me. Jesus offers hope, peace, grace and forgiveness for all. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you are.
Have more ideas? Please share in the comments things you and your family are doing!
