A Sea Change: The ruins of our post-Covid19 world
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| Post-war German ruins (photo credit Morguefile) |
Does anyone really know what time it is?
Of course, this begs the question, "Where are we?" And, probably more importantly, where will we be afterward? At the end of the quarantine, as now projected as April 30, where will we be? And, as a carrot dangled for a racehorse, our President has assured us that the world will be great again on June 1, if we will just stay the course. I sure hope that Covid-19 is less threatening on April 30 and long-gone from conversation by June 1. However, I am wondering this morning about what the ruins of this "Covid19-War" will look like in America.
Post 9/11 America
After the events of 9/11 in America, everything seemed to change. Our feeling of safety and security was gone, and we thought nothing would ever be remotely normal again. While the phrase "Post-911 World" is truly a reality, describing a major shift in our country, a new normal eventually settled in. The graduating Class of 2020, who won't really get to "graduate," were born after the terrible events of September 11, 2001. These youngsters never knew any other world.
The NEW American Economy
After we turn the tide on Covid19, and we will, what then? We may face an economy that could initially be in ruins. After people have spent their stimulus checks, then what? The long-sequestered, blue-collared masses with no way to work from home probably won't have money for mere necessities. And, as they try to catch up on mortgage payments and car payments, they likely won't have any extra money to bolster retail businesses struggling to revive.
We can hope that the return of a "Made in America" mindset will offset some of this. It is encouraging to imagine long-shuttered factories open and producing goods we have been sourcing from overseas for way too long. Perhaps this would absorb some of the already-growing ranks of the unemployed. It may be slow-going at first, and the growing need may actually flood the welfare rolls.
Follow the money
The post-shut-down economy has been a legitimate concern of many. Blasted as greedy and mercenary by those who don't understand the impact of economics on history, these honest projections remind us that our entire society runs on our monetary system. As Dr. Joseph P. Farrell wonders, could we be facing a radical economic reset?
I am reminded of the economic fallout from World War I in Germany and the public discontent that actually paved the way for the rapid and unprecedented rise of the Nazi Party. Like Fascist takeovers, Communist revolution incubates in the economic woes of the people. Could our free market be absorbed by a socialist solution when this is over? If this sounds crazy, go examine the oppressive governments that have come to power amidst the ashes of economic collapse.
A voice from history
A resident in Cologne, Germany, made a poignant remark after 12 years of Nazi rule followed by the near-obliteration of their cities. Cologne was almost in a state of complete destruction. (I am paraphrasing here.) He said that the real devastation was not the ruins around them. It was the "ruins" they carried inside themselves that were most horrifying.
Besides the grieving families who have lost loved ones to this pandemic, what ruins will we as Americans carry inside of us when our Covid19 D-Day finally arrives? Some of it may already be apparent in your own thoughts and feelings.
Will we ever take off the gloves?
Will germ-phobia and paranoia remain a regular part of our daily lives? I sure hope not because this is the part that is driving me crazy. Will we ever go shopping without constantly worrying about touching an item, etc... My husband has actually started cleaning our debit card! Many of us were already Google-hypochondriacs before this pandemic. Will we be forever imagining we are victims of the "next one?" And, will social media now be overrun with posts about that coming "next one," scaring us all into a state of panic?
"I am a rock; I am an island"
Will social distancing completely override our interpersonal relationships? This is particularly noticeable here in the South where we are accustomed to striking up long conversations in the produce aisle with a total stranger. Sometimes, it is easier to just wall yourself in and not be personally connected to people. There are times that it actually feels kind of nice to just be home and not have to deal with people and problems. Will we get socially lazy? Will we become a nation of hermits? Will Country Mouse suddenly become just like City Mouse?
Freedom of Religion and the Right to Assemble
What about churches? If I am honest, I must say this is probably my biggest concern about the social distancing plan. It makes sense for churches and church folk to take precautions and cancel services to combat this aggressive virus. We actually started listening online from home a few weeks before they ended the public gathering at our church. However, the government arresting us for going to church just doesn't feel quite right to me. (I know I will get a million comments about social responsibility.) Believe me, I get it. I just NEVER like the feel of the government sticking its nose in my religious liberty.
Truly, I never like the feel of government sticking its growing nose in my life at all! After 9/11, we were told we must give up some liberty to prevent terrorism in the future. While it also felt uncomfortable, most of us were willing to be a bit more transparent in our communications to help discover those who sought to annihilate our way of life.
Post-Covid19 Church
My neighbor and I were discussing this subject out in the yard, yelling from about 8 feet apart. She said that she hoped more people will want to come to church after this is over. Perhaps they would sense their need for a relationship with the Creator. I immediately responded that I wondered if even church people will be afraid to come to church! Will they be afraid of contacting an illness of some sort from all the weeks and weeks of being told just that? While the "Handshaking and Hugging" time should definitely be curtailed, especially during flu season, are we now at a point of not even wanting to share a pew with people? Will germs on the offering plate being passed scare them away? And, many regular church attenders might become accustomed to sleeping in on Sunday and not having any responsibility that they shoulder at church.
What about that offering plate? Will churches and other charitable organizations be able to recover from an extended scarcity of funds? Most organizations are usually cutting it close just to survive, so will the added human burden and the months of reduced weekly intake cripple them?
I am reminded, however, that our Holy Scriptures tell us that even the Gates of Hell will not prevail against God's Church.
Shopping habits
The way we spend our money may be affected by this experience, as well. I suspect that people will now want to have a pantry of food for emergencies in the same way that our grandparents who lived through the Depression obsessively canned garden food every season. These same dear ones would never waste a morsel or a bit. I remember seeing my Grandfather, who died in 1967, eat all the family's leftover food to avoid waste! We would all pass our plates down the big wooden table, and he would scrape each plate into his own plate and eat it all. We will probably be much more aware of wasting our resources than we ever were before, and that is a good thing.
TP Prayers
Will people always have a fear of running out of toilet paper? Will toilet paper ever be as available as it once was? Every time that snow is predicted, will people overreact, remembering that one day you could NOT find toilet paper? Just yesterday, as we gave thanks for our lunch, my husband thanked God for the toilet paper we finally found yesterday at the Dollar General Store. I had to laugh as I realized that was one prayer we had never, ever prayed before.
Coping with a Sea Change
Certainly, we are rowing our little boats in uncharted water. While we can make historic analogies to compare the Quarantine, we have really never been here before. And, we are viewing this event through the magnifying lens of social media which may or may not be providing an exactly accurate assessment. On the positive side, this rapid communication can get a message out quickly and provide us with the precaution instructions that are needed. However, this is a time of widespread anxiety and panic. What do we do when it feels that everything has been pulled out from under us?
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (Psalm 11:3-4, KJV)
God is still in control. I trust HIM.
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