as i thought about what to write this week, several things crossed my mind: the memorial service for a friend just a couple of years younger than me who passed away unexpectedly, my sense of gratitude for my wonderful wife and the comfortable life we live, the horrible events of january 6, 2021, which we have been recalling, the suffering of those who lost so much in the tornadoes that swept through our country recently. the thing that has most concerned me is the continuing effects of covid on our lives. we are in the beginning of a second year of fear caused by this destructive virus, and there is no end in sight.
so many have lost their lives to infection. others who have recovered from the initial stage of covid continue to suffer from lingering health problems. many are forced to be exposed to potential infection in order to keep their jobs, while some of those with whom them must work refuse to take precautions to protect those around them. ignorance about the vaccines and misinformation run rampant in our society. refusal to follow the advice of medical experts has been adopted by some as an emblem of individual liberty at the cost of many lives.
a few days ago, one of our relatives was exposed to an infected person while visiting a friend and had to undergo testing and quarantine for the third time, after earlier exposures. another friend has just emerged from quarantine after her boyfriend was infected, though she somehow escaped infection herself. two of the sunday school classes at our church have suspended meeting again because the omicron variant is spreading so quickly in our area. our pastor sent out an email a few days ago urging unvaccinated members of our congregation to reconsider their position and reminding us all to take the necessary precautions to avoid infection, especially when gathering for worship.
if we go to a movie, we buy our tickets just before the start of the movie and check to see how many tickets have already been sold. if the number of people attending the movie is too great, we don't go because we can't distance ourselves from others. when we go shopping, we stay away from others as much as possible. every activity outside our home involves thinking about the danger of becoming infected. we avoid large gatherings if we can't control the space between ourselves and others.
this is not the way we want to live. both my wife and i love being with other people. we are not fearful people, and we don't like what covid has forced us to become. yet we watch as those who ignore the recommended precautions and refuse vaccination catch the virus and some die. i admit to a certain amount of anger toward those who will not take the vaccine, because they make life more dangerous for us all, not just themselves. i have to remind myself that even the vaccine deniers are human and that i must not gloat when one of them suffers serious illness or dies, especially when they have tried to influence others not to take the vaccine.
may we do what we can to stay safe and keep others safe. may we urge those who remain unvaccinated to reconsider their positions. may we have compassion for those who are infected, even when they refuse to protect themselves and others. may we do what we can to preserve our humanity in the face of the need for isolation, reaching out to others in whatever ways we can while still remaining safe ourselves. may we do what we can to bring this scourge to an end. shalom.
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