hello... Adversity doesn’t Discriminate.

As the COVID-19 situation continues around us, there are many narratives about the situation. Today I offer some of my thoughts on what is happening, both here in a longer written form, and in a more condensed video message because as I look at the current situation and try to make sense of everything that is going on, I think about what is the novel coronavirus? What does it have to teach us? While the official name is SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes is called COVID-19, we are commonly calling it Coronavirus. That's "corona" as in crown, named for its crown-like spikes which lock on to proteins in many human cells which can lead to fever... a cough... fatigue... But these are just facts about a disease. What's more important is to see what it has to teach us. What can we learn to come out of this better than we were before it? And, while this virus has been hard on us, maybe a little too hard, I believe that all things can be for our betterment if we use the right perspective. While we have dealt with shortages in some of the amenities we have become accustomed to, we have also learned to adapt and make do with less. While the steady flow of income has stopped for many, we have learned to share things we have: food, money, personal protective equipment, with those who are in need. While we all have become isolated, we are communicating more than ever.

You see, we could have seen this coming, and some did. In the spring of 2019, Bill Gates warned of the possibility of a pandemic being the greatest risk to modern humans in terms of deaths and could rival the death toll of the biggest wars in our past... And recently we did pass the number of American deaths in the Vietnam war. He talked about the economy closing down, and that having profound effects on all of us. This has happened. Many who work in the field of infectious disease have known this is coming for quite some time, and many world leaders downplayed the new virus as it started to show itself; but, we have seen an increase in the jumping of viruses from animals to humans over the last century, so-called zoonotic viruses. 

However, we also need to remember that we have been through worse. Smallpox killed 30% of the people who got it, and it ravaged people from the beginning of time until the late 1970s and killed hundreds of millions. COVID-19 may be deadlier than measles, but it is less contagious, and while COVID-19 is more contagious than Ebola or MERS were, it is much less deadly than either. You see, we have faced these challenges in human history, and we have come out on the other side because we persist. We have won the battle because when these things bear down upon our people, we have always used our ingenuity and creativity to overcome... And we have never been as prepared as we are now. 

 It is amazing to me how this virus came in this time, a time of unprecedented technology. We have virtual meeting environments that allow us to connect to people all over our city, our country, and our world. We have satellites that show us how much pollution is disappearing because we are traveling less. We have the ability to create new and uplifting entertainment from all over the world into our living rooms, live. We have the medical technology to help people breathe when they cannot do so on their own, and we have the ability to quickly produce more lifesaving equipment when our supplies run low. Our use of these tools came from necessity, but as we enjoy the connectivity and lessons that they bring, remember them and the joy you received once this is all over.  

Learn to appreciate the people in your lives, the sound of more birds in the clear blue sky, the satisfaction of the work that you have to do, and the advancements in our time that have enabled us to get through all of this. When things get back to normal, we don't have to just go back to normal. Remember that even though your work and education are important, there are people starving all over the world. Remember when you got by with less and shared more. Remember the people who are still alone and don’t forget to continue to reach out and say, “hello”. Remember to let them know that you truly care.

It is so uplifting to see how much self-sacrifice has occurred during this time. The health care workers who have stepped up to help so many in trying times; even traveling to other places to lend a hand where it is needed when things are under control in their hometowns. The people who produce, transport, and sell us our food, medicine, and other necessities enduring long hours and difficult situations to make sure we are fed and healthy. The people who maintain the infrastructure: power company employees, sanitation workers, the water authority, and so many others; all of whom we never see, but they keep us alive, comfortable and working. There are so many who have made our lives more bearable during difficult times. I am so thankful and pleased by all of what I see. 

We know, that we will get through this together. Adversity doesn’t discriminate. Whether the one you see in front of you is of the same race, the same political party, or the same religion, try to connect. Open your hearts. Open your minds. Talk to each other... and try to connect. 

Remember to reach out to those that you care about or who inspire you. Our shared goals, vision, and humanity ties us together. When we connect with others, it helps us to remember all of the things that we can be thankful for. I'll bet you can find so many more than you could four months ago. 

I recently heard from a monk, “It’s not the happy people who are thankful, but it’s the thankful people who are happy.” It is easy to say, “Thank you”, it is harder to mean “Thank you”, and hardest to live “Thank you.” As you ponder the things to be thankful for, instead of just saying or thinking “Thank you”, mean that “Thank you”, and better still... Live the “Thank you.” That’s reciprocation. 

 Stay safe, and remain strong!