Pandemic and Protests: A Postlude

There has been no return to "normal" since getting off Velsignet and back into our Long Lake home near Bemidji MN.  On the contrary.  Life as we once knew it hasn't happened yet.  And who could imagine that as our  9-year-old granddaughter conducted her school studies from home would get to a state where she "is so DONE with Zoom?!"

Since Velsignet (March 1), the pandemic of the Corona-19 virus began spreading across the country hitting cities like New York City and Seattle hardest.  The federal government and other countries issued international travel bans.  Stay-at-home orders and "social distancing measures" were issued by state Governors as well as mandatory closures of businesses and services that were deemed "unessential."  Other businesses were encouraged to allow employees to work from home.  Schools and universities and churches conducted online services and classes.  Zoom rose to become a popular meeting app for keeping groups and communities visually and audibly connected.  Cottage industries for unique designer facial masks have sprung up throughout the country.  Today, the news reports more than 100,000 Americans have died due to the pandemic, a vaccine is being developed with no firm timeline for approval and distribution.  

We know of very few lives that have not been affected by the pandemic.  Mike returned to Orlando (where we were staying at the time) in early March from a business trip to Seattle on a half-empty plane and has yet to return (Seattle continues to exercise extreme caution; meeting face to face with clients is difficult).  Our plans to travel from Orlando to Myrtle Beach to Kittyhawk to Colonial Williamsburg were thwarted (mostly cancelled) due to travel restrictions.  Our daughter, Jordan, was ordered by the MN Governor to close her start-up cosmetology business for 3 months; her husband, Jared, manages an essential Walgreen's store with new routines for disinfecting store surfaces while keeping employees protected from possibly infected customers.  Our daughter, Allison, and her husband, Brent, are thankful they're able to perform most of their job duties from home.  Our grandchildren in Minnesota and Colorado finished their last 3 months of school via online classroom instruction and plans for school this fall are still soft.  Healthcare facilities' protocols permit patients and prohibit visitors. (Our parents who have all had hospital stays since our return home have had to undergo treatment without the support of loved ones by their side.) As we're practicing social distancing, we miss time spent with our lake neighbors and friends.  If one must leave your home and will be shopping or sharing other public spaces, facial masks, hand washing and keeping 6 feet away from others is the appropriate behavior for which to conduct yourself.   Pre-ordering for curb pickup has become common for grocery stores, restaurants, paint stores, etc.  Delivery of online purchases has been delayed as workforce scheduling was changed to enhance the work safety of employees.

The news of the pandemic became secondary after a handcuffed black man, George Floyd, died at the hands (..actually it was the knee...situated on his neck) of a Minneapolis police officer.  Protests appropriately followed and spread throughout the country and the world.  Unfortunately, along with the peaceful protests came people (thugs?) from across the country whose goal was to incite riots and destroy public and personal property.  Conversations ensue for human rights, police reform and equality with hopes for constructive and peaceful and respectful changes that ensure all people in America (and world) know they will be kept safe in the hands of those who serve as our defenders and protectors, and all people are given equal rights to opportunities as they strive to thrive.

Currently our local, state and national scenes are taking steps to get our economy rolling again, people safely back into the workforce and our young back into schools.  Many of us us are trying to process the mix of complicated and confusing messages concerning our future, our safety, health practices, human rights and citizens' rights.  These days will make the history books; we are living in a historical time.  Believing this, I pray that when posed with questions by the generations to follow, I will be able to respond that we persevered TOGETHER for the safety and well-being of each individual.  God lead us and guide us.  Amen!