Blind Courage
News stations in certain areas of the United States are making the decision to not broadcast Trump’s press conferences. People are fed up with misinformation, lies, and false hope propagated by a person voted by the people to lead our country. There are always two sides to this argument and many would counter that he is doing a good job. Either way, our country is fumbling through this crisis. The stimulus bill has not passed, jobless rates have skyrocketed to never before seen numbers, our healthcare system in “hot spot” areas is straining to the breaking point, some people are strictly adhering to the six foot “social distancing” rule while others could care less, and still the virus spreads. If I were to solely rely on the news, I would have to draw the conclusion that the worst offenders of breaking social distancing instructions are the young adults (18-25) and religious (church) people. Reports show images of churches full of congregants, Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University accepting students back for classes, COVID-19 parties, and spring breakers in Florida gathering on the beaches.
My wife is a hairstylist and all her clients have cancelled their appointments. She spoke to several of them via telephone and learned that some have not left their house in ten days. This is our first financial blow as a result of this pandemic and will lessen our income by $1,000.00 per month. Talking to my children, they are telling me other parents are not allowing their adult children to leave their houses as the “social distancing” measures meant to physically distance people has led to a disconnect from society. I feel the strain. I sit at home, in my self-imposed prison, and don’t know if I should reach out to others, drive around in my car, take a walk, or travel. I’ve learned physical distancing and social distancing can quickly become one and the same way.
At home, we had a good day. I worked on finishing my Master’s research proposal that is due this weekend. The ironic part is that I’m completing my final graduate class on Saturday; the same day as my oldest daughters 20th birthday! It has been an unbelievable journey and finally arriving at this moment on the same day as my daughter’s birthday is very special. Rain kept us company enveloping us in the muted rhythmic drum beat of rain drops falling on the roof.
My youngest daughter (15 years old) came out of her room and engaged in a couple of games of Rummikub, Mario Kart racing, and conversation. Her best friend left on Sunday and has not been allowed back to our house due to the circumstances which I believe, led to my daughter not wanting to do anything for two days. I’ve noticed that her age group is completely isolated from any contact because they don’t have transportation, parents are not allowing them out of the house, they are home schooling, and their ability to synthesize what is happening contributes to a lack of communication. Social media (TikTok, Snapchat, and whatever other app), binge Netflixing (is this a word?), and sleeping has become their escape from long days trapped between four walls. Later in the evening, all five of us sat together at the dinner table bantering back and forth as we allowed the moment to not overwhelm us. Our humanity became crystal clear against the backdrop of a global meltdown.
I don’t know if this is relevant or not but in the short time I’ve watched evening television; my wife and I have noticed the absence of car commercials. Normally, we are inundated with Ford, Chevrolet, Audi, Toyota, Honda, Acura, BMW, Land Rover, and used car advertisements but now-nothing. Furthermore, sports channels like ESPN are not even viable entertainment anymore because they show WWE wrestling or home video clips of unknown people performing trick shots inside their homes or reruns of past sporting events.
Life is constantly reminding us that we need to look for opportunities for growth and embrace change. We all have heard these words of wisdom, but now we are forced to engage with the process or be passed up by those courageous souls willing to blindly take one step forward every day in the belief that we will overcome.