I am grateful for all the blessings God has given me, but in this health crisis, I admit that my doubts and fears have gotten the best of me at times. Most Americans have done what doctors and scientists have told us to do, but we’ve been quarantined for seven weeks. It’s hard to stay home when blue skies, sun, and warm temperatures entice us to venture outside. Wearing masks is essential in this pandemic, but as the temperatures continue to rise outside, those masks will become increasingly harder to wear. So many people are unemployed that families are beginning to go hungry because parents aren’t working and can’t pay their bills. People will begin to lose their homes and cars if the economy doesn’t start to grow again. Mental illness among Americans has been rising for years before this pandemic; now, it may grow exponentially as people become more isolated and have limited coping skills. Families have not been able to say “good-bye” to their loved ones who contracted the virus and then died as a result in nursing homes and hospitals. We have wonderfully dedicated and truly loving medical personnel across this nation, but they are paying a tremendous price for our lives to continue because the essential medical supplies necessary to care for thousands of people who have become sick were not readily available to them.
Some people in our state and our country feel this virus will not kill them. Three protests have occurred in Wisconsin, and the attendees aren’t wearing masks, aren’t standing six feet apart, are carrying “Don’t Tread on Me” and “Confederate” flags, and are bringing assault rifles and pistols to these gatherings. At what point in this crisis has it become necessary to bring guns to gatherings protesting having to stay home to take care of yourself and others? We need to stay home for the protection of everyone. This is not a game; protesting in a park will not stop this monster. The mixed messages from the president have done nothing to quell these uprisings. Too many people have died or are seriously ill not to follow the directives set by the CDC.
I hope Wisconsin will reach its peak soon because too many people are becoming violently illogical. The food packaging industry is also in jeopardy, and companies are closing down. I hope the general public will not hoard meat like they did toilet paper. As I have said before in previous blogs, we were not ready for this virus. We can blame it on China, but the blame lies with us, too. Add the confusion and lack of concern shown by the president throughout this crisis and now you have a melting pot of doubts and fears from an entire nation, both medically and economically.
At times like these, I have succumbed to doubts and fears, but I know God is with us. He has given us the abilities to get through any crisis. All of us, not just some of us, need to follow the directives so that we all can live to see our country open back up, to get people back to work, to feed the hungry, and to care for those who cannot fight the virus by themselves. Only then will we breathe the fresh air again and live to freely walk and play in our parks. “Be still and know that I am.” (Psalm 46:10) “Be not afraid, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) Open your hearts, America, and let Jesus Christ in.
By doing everything in our power to stop this insidious virus, our nation will survive, maybe not in its previous powerful form, but in its newly changed form. That America will be caring, forgiving, loving, and strong because we trust in God. He knew this path before we walked it, and only He will carry us through.
Anna Hartt
