YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE! How would YOU choose? Which is more important to YOU?
The desolation of this viral attack is unimaginable! In a short span of weeks, the United States has suffered a catastrophic number of deaths due to a virus. But this viral attack is causing not only physical death but deep financial loss across America − perhaps greater loss than was experienced during the Great Depression.
Many try to equate the two losses. Perhaps my inability to do that, stems from the selfish fact that we expect to be OK, financially. Both of our kids have jobs that are ‘essential’ and will not take a cut. John and I, in retirement, are at the point of life where our ability to pay bills or buy groceries is not likely to be affected. Nevertheless, I hope that likelihood never stands in the way of our grief that the lives of many others are deeply affected. Which need is most essential? The physical? The financial? The loss of jobs, homes, and retirement funds can be as deadly for some as the COVID 19 virus.
Having a daughter who is risking her life supporting the efforts on the frontline of attack against the virus has deeply affected my desire to be compliant with established guidelines for social distancing. When people ignore the warnings and continue to ‘keep on keeping on’…the risk to MY child increases. So when the Governor says to stay home, I. STAY. HOME!
My own overriding priority is the welfare of our medical personnel, whose commitment to the care of others has placed them in desperate situations, with insufficient PPE, understaffing and surges of very sick and contagious patients. Their faithfulness places them and their families at significant risk. Many have died. Many others WILL die…in part because our country was poorly prepared for such a time as this!
Much will be learned from this chapter of American History. Hindsight can and should be a life changing teacher. As scientists and historians process all that is happening in the spring of 2020, this American − now deeply and personally invested in this war − chooses to abide by all suggested guidelines! I am staying HOME!