Beech Tree News Network

A pandemic changes things. Merriam-Webster explained ‘pandemic’ as “an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandemic). Before the COVID 19 pandemic, I understood the word’s meaning, but I did not understand its surprising ramifications.

Wondering what others have found surprising, I asked friends and family, “What has surprised you about the pandemic conditions in which we are currently living?” Their responses are listed below:

-Toilet paper shortage. And how Christians have come together to support one another and to pray for one another.

-I’ve been surprised and disappointed by having to worry about working without proper protective equipment. I had never considered this a possibility as a nurse in America. I’ve also been surprised, though I shouldn’t be, by how so many have made this yet another political debate. I swear some people could get a raging case of gonorrhea and find a way to blame President Trump or a political party for it.

-The way people are acting, for example employees at a nearby Wal-Mart have been cussed, spit on, and yelled at. One even got punched.

-How much I’ve enjoyed being at home, how many people at Wal-Mart don’t wear a mask, and how much better my kids get along.

-Some of the places that are considered ‘essential’ or those that won’t close their lobbies.

-The number of people who don’t take this seriously or think it’s the flu.

-Can’t find butter.

-How many people aren’t following the precautionary guidance, how unprepared the United States was for this, and how the CDC changes the guidelines almost daily (seems to change based on amounts of PPE available).

-That life is very fragile. With all the medical knowledge and technology that we have at the end of the day, death is real for all of us. Whether religious or not, we must have faith in ourselves, doctors, nurses and other workers. The surprise is how much I have relied on my faith that no matter how bad it gets, I believe we will be ok. And if in my lifetime we are not ok, my faith was my comfort.

-How everyone in our community is willing to pitch in and help others with whatever they need.

- Some people don’t take this seriously. Someone said, “Oh, this is the United States of America!” Also, the hoarding was a surprise. And with the stay-at-home order, parents don’t know how to truly spend time with their kids – real family time. Kids don’t know how to entertain themselves without electronics and social activities. I miss being in church and hugging my family. One thing that’s good about this, especially in the larger areas, is people helping each other, like showing appreciation for the health care workers and helping everyone to have their needs met.

-The different views on the way in which people are handling this: some think it’s the end of the world, and others think it’s nothing.

-I think my answer would be how quickly life shut down. The fast-paced life as we knew it came to a stop! As time has gone by, I am thankful for the slow pace, extra time with my family. But I so miss my church family and my best friends!

-People not taking it seriously enough to do social distancing.

-What surprises me most are the well-meaning, educated men and women who are working so hard to find ways to fight this pandemic, finding success; yet, there are just as many if not more who use their power to restrain these efforts. I guess maybe it’s not surprise as much as it is frustration. Honestly, nothing much surprises me. I believe we are living in the last days, and the only ultimate solution is God’s Kingdom. Meanwhile, we are witnessing what was written about in Ecclesiastes 8:9 – man has dominated man to his own harm. On a positive note, I’m pleasantly surprised with the changes I’ve seen in myself. I’m enjoying so much the extra time I have at home with my immediate family. I’ve become more courageous about sharing my faith and hope for the future with others. Where I used to go so quickly through my day’s activities, I now take the time to try to smile and chat with people as much as possible and am giving extra effort to showing that I care about them.

-That people are so willing to give up their rights due to fear: the freedom to assemble, the freedom of religion, the freedom to move about. And that people are so willing to “turn in” their neighbors for supposed infractions. Don’t get me wrong, I agree this is serious, and I’m doing everything I can to keep myself and those around me safe.

-I am surprised by: how quickly life can change; how stupid the government agencies are; how much off shoring our manufacturing has crippled our country during a crisis; how sad it is to see people trying to take advantage of the situation: politicians pushing agendas, people trying to price gouge, etc.; how dishonest the media has become; how wrong the mathematical models can be; how people will horde stupid stuff, like toilet paper and hand sanitizer; how crazy it is that they didn’t recommend people wear masks; how we can turn loose of 4 trillion dollars of stimulus funds without blinking an eye, but can’t fix our roads and bridges; how governors think they can tell people that they can’t go to church; and how police are to turn criminals out of prison then may be told to arrest people for going out for a walk. This country is in trouble, and no one in Washington, D.C., can help because they are too consumed with trying to look good or advance an agenda. I hope people will open their Bibles and start reading while this is going on. This country needs a revival more than a vaccine for Coronavirus.

-I think the thing that has surprised me most are the people who just won’t stay home. There’s a lot that has surprised me – some good, some bad.

-How ignorant some people are is the main thing. They can’t follow advice from the governor or any local officers that only want to protect them as well as others. And it’s sad when some people forget what the Ten Commandments say. Did they miss the part about “thou shall not kill” or “love thy neighbor”? Ignorance is what baffles me, and people are full of it.

-I am surprised that people are not being compliant. About church gatherings, I think that God gave us enough sense to stay home and worship Him. There are many different ways to worship available. We should stay home, distance ourselves, wash hands constantly, and wear a mask, etc. When we have to leave for work or for provisions, we should follow the guidelines; otherwise, this will continue longer. My biggest surprise is how the entire world has been hit with the virus and how many lives have been and are going to be lost. I am surprised we were not prepared – we cannot get the personal protection equipment, etc., needed by healthcare workers and frontline people. Also, how hard it is to get a test and how long it takes for results. This entire crisis blows my mind.

-People should not be gathering in large groups. It looks like people would be thinking, using the sense God gave them. He gave us minds, and we should use wisdom and common sense.

-Rapid uncontrolled spread and asymptotic spread.

-My extreme tolerance for staying home without getting cabin fever whatsoever. (I am so sorry for all the awful negative effects of this scary virus. But I am very content to stay healthy at home. And I am blessed to not suffer many of the terrible consequences of the times. I don’t take that for granted.)

Like many people beforehand, I had not given too much thought to the consequences of a pandemic. So, as we have learned, a pandemic affects most things in our lives. I have been surprised at the scarcity of certain items. In recent decades, business and industry have not stockpiled goods, instead scheduling the production and/or arrival of goods based on demand. Of course, this makes sense until we encounter a pandemic. Then, of course, we cannot find many items.

Bill Gates said, “The worst pandemic in modern history was the Spanish flu of 1918, which killed tens of millions of people. Today, with how interconnected the world is, it would spread faster" (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/pandemic-quotes). Gates was correct. However, Romans 8:28 says that God will work all things together for the good of those who know and love Him. So, let’s try to stay healthy at home.

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Note:  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28 (NASB)