March 19, 2020

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I got a kick out of this one posted by someone named Mary Francis.  It is supposed to snow in parts of the U.S. today (March 19), though we may be getting rain

Today, I want to take a look at the lighter side of what is a very serious, and for some, a frightening situation.  The first thing we need to remember is that for most of the people who get COVID-19, it will be a minor illness, perhaps little more than a cold and flu (and we have had lots of those).  However, it has does have higher mortality rate than the cold and flu, so we want to “keep ahead of it”.  That means keeping it from spreading while the health care community prepares itself with adequate supplies and equipment for the severe cases, and keeping us all as safe as possible while we wait for the warm weather in the hope that this virus, like the cold and flu viruses of the past, will not be as virulent in warm weather.

On the plus side, there are no traffic jams in Hamilton during rush hour.  I know because the window in front of my desk faces the John St. mountain access and there is very little traffic and fewer buses than normal.  And though I live on a well-known pub strip, I cannot see any pedestrians. 

This, of course, means that businesses are taking a blow and will need government and community support. Now is the time to come together emotionally as a community, providing what support we can.  It is only day 3 of the state of emergency in Ontario and day 5 since we first experienced not meeting physically as a community of faith.  On the plus side, thanks to social media we are adjusting, though we need to keep vigilant as the economically vulnerable among us may soon (if not already) be suffering.  If you know someone you think is in that category, reach out to them to help, if you can.  If you are in that position, ask for help.  I will be checking with Neighbour 2 Neighbour to see what, if anything, they are doing differently during this time and will report back to you.

Is there some good news in this sudden change in how the world conducts (or doesn’t conduct) business?

While we are basically squirreled away in our homes or neighbourhoods, cars and buses have cut pollution to a minimum, as have airplanes.  There are fewer now, which is a good thing for climate change because airplanes are heavy, heavy polluters.  So while there are some hardships, if we can take care of each other, our creation is probably taking a big sigh of relief.  Now might be a good time for all of us (and especially business and governments) to redirect priorities.  Since a number of businesses are closed anyway, why not use this opportunity to implement from environmentally sustainable practices and move away from fossil fuels as a form of energy. Mother Nature and Global Warming are getting an unexpected and unprecedented break.  An unexpected surprise posted on the weathernetwork is that with all the shutdowns have meant that the canals in Venice are running clear (here is the link if you want to see for yourself. https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/venice-canal-runs-clear-as-coronavirus-lockdown-halts-pollution-in-italy?fbclid=IwAR0X8UMhoO4E6EcHuYtk6WAXuEhGL9k5iGCfVZwudm59k3G0Ff1hp_CiLwM

Changing direction:  On the home front, my grandson, Finn, is enjoying backyard time with his Mom.  Here is a recent picture and a recounting of her conversation with him.

 Mom: “what are you doing hon?”
Son: “Eating dirt.”
Mom: “Why?”
Son: “I’m just playing.”
Mom: (to self) Choose your battles and stay strong!

My cousin, Darla, is an awesome photographer and loves nature.  She often posts her photos to social media with appropriate quotes.  Here is yesterday’s photo and 2 quote that accompanied her photo.

“If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the bleakest storm.” – Gandhi

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

And finally, from among my family and friends, my friend, Christian Corbet is offering art lessons on facebook. 

And so, as we wend our way through the next few weeks, together in spirit, let us reflect on the psalmist words: “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.” – Psalm 24:1-2