People are complaining about the guidelines surrounding COVID-19. People have been complaining for weeks. That’s nothing new.
We’re all weary.
Increasingly I hear, “The people making these decisions are wrong. It’s unfair, part of a big plan to infringe on our freedoms.” But to those who have been sick or have been directly impacted by those who are sick feel differently.
Even though this is certainly an unusual challenge, people’s responses are not too different from responses to other rules or guidelines we have. People agree other people shouldn’t speed. Until they’re in a hurry—or in any situation that seems to support what they want to do. We claim one “side” until something flips the script and we need to see the other side because someone we love struggles or is hurt or is gone.
It makes sense that we see our own perspective the best, but we need to be willing to consider other perspectives. We need to pause our rationalizing to support ourselves and discredit others. We might still believe we are right, but we can engage in respectful conversation. We don’t have to tear down others to prove ourselves.
Guidelines are inconvenient and tiresome at times. I get it. I’m tired of them. But I’m also tired of so many complaints and whining, of accusations and rationalizations, or me thinking instead of we thinking. I can deal with the complaints and whining when we’re trying to healthily cope and authentically share, but when someone’s primary coping strategy is to vent outrage and lash disrespect, I am sad—for the person, for the people in the wake, and for the wear and tear it has throughout our communities.
We can do better. We can be better.
I think the complaints are coming from people who see what’s going on. Personally, I don’t think this is about health anymore. It hasn’t been for a while. If you watch the news, and hear govenors talking and taking away basic rights – how can you disagree with that. If masks help, why cant we all go back to work wearing a mask? If they don’t work – why are we being forced to wear one? Why is being inside a Walmart or grocery store safer than a park or beach where there is MILES of space to walk on? Why are people being arrested for playing in the park, but criminals are being let free? This isn’t about “guidelines” anymore. This isn’t about safety. We shut down the entire economy for something that has an incredibly high chance of you surviving. There are now more than 33 million people out of work who want to eat and deserve to eat. How long do we adhere to these “guidelines for our safety?” My mother died of Covid, and yet I STILL want people to keep their rights and freedoms despite that. People died before Corona and people will die after Corona. We cant shut down rights and freedoms every single time people die. That’s not what this country is about. Yes we can do better – we can stop acting like this virus is a reason to destroy everyones life and liberties.
I am so sorry for your loss, Ann. I appreciate your comments. This is so hard (for various reasons) on each of us, and many of us are frustrated and weary (again, for various reasons). Whether we agree with someone on what is happening and what needs to happen next or not, we can be continue to do our very best to be respectful and patient with each other. Blessings to you.
Susan,
In my heart I believe I am with you. I do have great concern that one cannot express even a potentially opposing view without being thought of as “less than”. I do believe it is healthy to give great concern and caution by protecting ourselves and others from the VIRUS. I also believe it is healthy to be able to express genuine concerns about the seeming “testing of the limits” of authoritarian power. This concerns me and it seems or it seemed that I should be able to express those concerns for myself and to awaken those that may be sleeping on what is going on around me/us.
I repeat, in my heart, I am with you. I hope you feel, if done respectully it is good and right to speak of the concerns and complexities of the unfolding situation, never to use it as an excuse to be unkind.
Keep writing!
Terry
Yes, Terry! I love that you use the phrase “I am with you.” AND…bring up the invitation for everyone to be able to share their own concerns and frustrations. I think the combination of those two things is so important. We too often believe “I am with you” means “I agree with you.” Your comment is a reminder of the importance of being “with” others with a respect that allows us space and difference. We can be encouraging and truthful. We can be different yet respectful and compassionate. I think it challenges and grows us in our faith. God uses many of those conversations to prune us and provide perspective expansions. We get to know God more deeply as we’re willing to listen to one another and be kind with one another (with truth, of course). With the current crisis, our emotions run high at times. We’re all trying to understand what is happening and the available information is confusing and inconsistent. Responding well requires consistent patience and humility. Thank you for the reminder!