Journal Prompt
What is the one thing that I hope will be different this time next year? That is an easy one. I hope that COVID 19 will be under control not only in our country but throughout the world.
The year 2020 has been most disturbing because we have had to deal with a global pandemic. Many have become ill and have been hospitalized, and hundreds of thousands of people have died. In my opinion, the way the world has approached this pandemic has added more pain to many lives.
There have been shutdowns wherein people cannot see their loved ones and their friends. Churches have been shut down, and people have lost their support system. People have been isolated in order, we are told, to protect them. Many in isolation, both children and adults, have become depressed and some suicidal. People are not getting proper medical screening because of fear of contracting the virus. Many businesses have shut down and many jobs lost because local governments won’t let people run their businesses.
Even with all of these mandatory precautions, the spread of the virus seems to be increasing. We wear our masks, we social distance, and we isolate, and because of that, we have lost what it means to live.
I am in a high-risk category because of my age. Even at high risk, I can’t entirely agree with many of the strategies that have been put in place. Yes, I think there should be some precautions, but we are adults who should decide what those precautions should be in our lives. I believe we should protect the sick and vulnerable and let people who are healthy live their lives.
I remember when this first started, I did isolate based on recommendations from our state leaders. After about six weeks, I felt myself becoming very sad with little reason to get out of bed. That is when I decided it was not worth it to follow all of these rules. I began to see my family and my grandchildren again, and the joy began to return. Yes, we are all cautious; we don’t put ourselves in risky situations.
I may die at any time. It may be due to COVID or any number of things; none of us know when our time will come. With that in mind, if I had hidden away out of fear, I would not have had the pleasure of holding and caring for my new granddaughter, I would not have been present to celebrate the birthdays of my other grandkids. To me, living my life is worth the risk. I don’t want to hide away while my life passes me by.
I hope that this time next year that there will be a vaccine and that everyone that wants it has access. I hope that people that are sick quarantine for a mere 10-14 days. I, too, hope that those who are healthy will live a happy and productive life that is unconstrained by endless rules and regulations.
I covet the day I see my grandkids hugging their friends without fear of disease. I look forward to the time when the paranoia placed on us by our leaders fades, and we can return to normalcy. I love the thought of going to church, singing praises to our Lord, and hugging my church family without masks and without fear. Maybe next year? I hope so.
KathieyV