The Pandemic & Divisiveness

Something that has been highlighted for me from the very beginning of this pandemic and that is the fear surrounding it.   The language of the pandemic highlights fear-words like stay safe, masks for protection, infection, numbers, daily case counts, distancing, and so on inspire fear. Inevitable loneliness has been the result among many other devastating effects because we see each other as a threat.  Mistrust comes into play as well. People repeat what they’ve been hearing and it is a whole new “fear” language. No wonder so many get vaccinated for fear of being unsafe i.e., getting sick from being around others and maybe dying.  And many of those who don’t get vaccinated do not trust the vaccine since little is known or recorded about adverse and long term, even deadly, side effects. 

 It seems as if there is a great divide between those who are vaccinated and those who are not.  I wonder what happened to “We’re in this together.”  Front line heroes who were the medical staff in hospitals and nursing homes have been asked not to return to work if they refuse to get the vaccine.  Yet, in reality, many people who chose not to get the vaccine are as healthy as can be, and have followed all the protocols that kept them infection-free for nearly two years.  What changed?

Suspicion and real hesitancy abound to the safety of the vaccine, not only for health workers who have lost their jobs, but for others who have seen and know of dangerous side effects to the vaccine.  To be fair, there are arguments on both sides.  This week’s local newspaper has a letter to the editor with a scathing rebuke to the unvaccinated for causing a shortage of beds in the hospitals, and therefore people who are sick with other issues are sent elsewhere. He failed to realize that the “anti-vax” protesting in front of the hospitals are (to the best of my knowledge) the medical staff more aware of not only the dangers of the vaccine, but are protesting it being forced on people when they have a right to not get it, just like if they don’t want to get the flu vaccine. It is proper medical protocol to give patients the right to refuse treatment especially if they are not sick!

 Who is right? Who is wrong?  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is the division it has caused.

 In our province we are constantly told in no uncertain terms that it is the south in our province that has low vaccination rates (they only make up 26% or so of our entire population). This is the Bible Belt. Every day in the news they are highlighted as the bad people for being responsible for taking up hospital beds, as if they don’t have a right to medical care.  Out of curiosity, I thought I’d check online today and see where the cases are. On the map it showed that they are far up north where (I believe) the majority of people are vaccinated, not in the south as the news states. So, what gives?

 And so, the blame game continues. Even though months ago the top doctors said they would only need 50% to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity, they kept pushing it. Then it was 60, then 70, then 80 and so on. I believe it is around 80% right now. But they say that isn’t enough because of the variants. They push for more. The government wants every single person to be vaccinated no matter what, even children. They don’t even know the long-term effects of the vaccine. Do they really know what they’re doing? And do you see a projection of fear in all these decisions? Where is God in all of this? Or is science and this so-called efficiency of the vaccine the god? Actually, I read that fully vaccinated people in the test country, Israel, at one time have been responsible for half of the Covid cases.  I read that two shots wane over a short period of time, and a third, and a fourth will be necessary, or even a lifetime.  No one knows.  Let’s pray not.

I know and have heard valid opinions on both sides, interestingly from medical and other professionals, but let’s look at the real issues that matter most— how we are treating each other. If we don’t respond to the human tragedy in all of this, then what have we become? Mud slinging is not going to bring us to the end of the pandemic. Only love for one another will bring healing and restoration no matter what course the Covid takes. We need to do the first and second commandment:

 Mar 12:29  Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.

Mar 12:30  So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

Mar 12:31  The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." God’s Word

Let’s drop the fear language, and talk God’s language of love.  What kind of love should we have for one another? One that accepts others and forgives all wrongs. One that costs something. Jesus said to all His followers:  Don’t just love your friends, love your enemies. The Father is glorified when we go out of our way to love others. He is especially glorified when we love those hard to love and those we don’t agree with, and yes, especially our enemies!

The Covid and the way it’s been handled has destroyed relationships and this affects God being glorified. Why is this so? I believe it is through us, and through fluid relationships where God can work in and through us. God can’t be glorified when we are not getting along; that is the devil’s territory and God won’t compete with or condone evil.

 Two verses in the Bible say it perfectly:

 Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

God’s Word version says it this way:

 Rom 12:9  Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good.

Rom 12:10  Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.

I believe this is the greatest and most important test right now. As the pandemic winds down, will we come through it more loving and forgiving with stronger relationships? That will depend on how we treat one another when we have opposing views. I pray we will examine our own hearts and make sure there are no prejudices, unforgiveness fear and/or anger towards others. May God help us all humble ourselves and always be willing to honor God and each other, and do and say the right things.