Although the COVID bug is nothing to sneeze at, it is becoming clearer and clearer that it is not as deadly as first predicted. This video from Youtube is the first indicator that I saw, which reveals that the bug is far more prevalent in society than we knew and that it has a similar mortality as the common flu:
Thank God for that! I mean, if you listen to the hot mic incident, it is stated that the mortality is between .1 and .3 percent. Which makes this disease a mere variation of the flu. Not the deadly plague that was originally prophesied.
So, we can breathe more easily. With all due respect to all those who lost loved ones during this time, there were some positive aspects of our human response to this emergency.
THE FEAR OF GOD
As Scripture says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". And many people began to think of their eternal resting place during this pandemic. Their personal mortality and frailty was on full display and as a result, many turned to God for help. Some people whom I've never heard to invoke God before, suddenly were praying. I consider this a good thing. I pray that the grace of God remains with them after the fear for their lives, is gone. Hopefully, we will again see packed houses when we are permitted to return to the Mass.
PRAYER AT HOME
Relatedly, I have heard that people are praying, lighting blessed candles and using holy water and oil, at home. I pray that these customs persist long after the pandemic is relegated to the footnotes of history.
HOMESCHOOLING
People have been forced to homeschool their children. And, although there are some videos humourously panning the practice:
I have heard from a friend who spoke to a friend about another friend whose family is thoroughly enjoying their unexpected experience. Apparently, they are using the Public School curriculum because their daughter is thoroughly familiar with it. And, she has learned to give herself more vacation days by getting up to two weeks ahead and then, relaxing until the curriculum catches up! Brilliant kid!
EATING TOGETHER
One of the sad facts of chasing the American dream, is that too many people did it at the expense of family life. I don't know how many times my co-workers lamented to me that they never ate dinner with their family. Everyone was too busy.
But now, many have rediscovered this beautiful tradition. We homeschooled our kids and we've never ceased to eat together even though they are now grown up. But to so many of my co-workers, this has been a surprise blessing.
WATCHING MOVIES TOGETHER
Again, something which comes naturally to homeschoolers. But something which my co-workers said they seldom did. Now that they are forced to be together at home, they are doing this more frequently, as well. And thoroughly enjoying it.
SAVINGS
This is a personal thing. By the grace of God, I'm still working. Although my children have lost their jobs. However, we are not adversely affected because we have suddenly stopped buying all the unnecessary things that we used to buy. No more eating out at restaurants, uh, because they're closed. No more going to the movies, because they're shut down. No more shopping sprees because unnecessary trips outside the home, are discouraged.
So, actually my wife and I are saving more money. And my kids are wondering why they have to return to work. Because I said so! That's why!
It seems to me, that God is turning this evil pandemic, into a blessing in disguise.
May God bless you and may you and your family remain safe.
Thank God for that! I mean, if you listen to the hot mic incident, it is stated that the mortality is between .1 and .3 percent. Which makes this disease a mere variation of the flu. Not the deadly plague that was originally prophesied.
So, we can breathe more easily. With all due respect to all those who lost loved ones during this time, there were some positive aspects of our human response to this emergency.
THE FEAR OF GOD
As Scripture says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". And many people began to think of their eternal resting place during this pandemic. Their personal mortality and frailty was on full display and as a result, many turned to God for help. Some people whom I've never heard to invoke God before, suddenly were praying. I consider this a good thing. I pray that the grace of God remains with them after the fear for their lives, is gone. Hopefully, we will again see packed houses when we are permitted to return to the Mass.
PRAYER AT HOME
Relatedly, I have heard that people are praying, lighting blessed candles and using holy water and oil, at home. I pray that these customs persist long after the pandemic is relegated to the footnotes of history.
HOMESCHOOLING
People have been forced to homeschool their children. And, although there are some videos humourously panning the practice:
I have heard from a friend who spoke to a friend about another friend whose family is thoroughly enjoying their unexpected experience. Apparently, they are using the Public School curriculum because their daughter is thoroughly familiar with it. And, she has learned to give herself more vacation days by getting up to two weeks ahead and then, relaxing until the curriculum catches up! Brilliant kid!
EATING TOGETHER
One of the sad facts of chasing the American dream, is that too many people did it at the expense of family life. I don't know how many times my co-workers lamented to me that they never ate dinner with their family. Everyone was too busy.
But now, many have rediscovered this beautiful tradition. We homeschooled our kids and we've never ceased to eat together even though they are now grown up. But to so many of my co-workers, this has been a surprise blessing.
WATCHING MOVIES TOGETHER
Again, something which comes naturally to homeschoolers. But something which my co-workers said they seldom did. Now that they are forced to be together at home, they are doing this more frequently, as well. And thoroughly enjoying it.
SAVINGS
This is a personal thing. By the grace of God, I'm still working. Although my children have lost their jobs. However, we are not adversely affected because we have suddenly stopped buying all the unnecessary things that we used to buy. No more eating out at restaurants, uh, because they're closed. No more going to the movies, because they're shut down. No more shopping sprees because unnecessary trips outside the home, are discouraged.
So, actually my wife and I are saving more money. And my kids are wondering why they have to return to work. Because I said so! That's why!
It seems to me, that God is turning this evil pandemic, into a blessing in disguise.
May God bless you and may you and your family remain safe.
