Masks in ‘merica
Tags: Masks, Justice, Coronavirus, Duty, Contagiousdisease

It takes under two hours for us to drive north to my high school campus. There are some years we don’t visit at all, but since the onset of the pandemic, my kids and I have journeyed there a handful of times. I confiscate their phones for the car ride (gasp!) because my mom shared how much she cherished taking me to and from Culver — having my undivided attention and an uninterrupted opportunity to converse. It’s so true, especially now. That, alone, is reason enough to make the trip.

During our most recent day spent wandering around the grounds, I took a lingering moment to read and commit to memory the eight values and virtues written in circular form on the ground of Leadership Plaza, just inside Logansport Gate: truth, wisdom, duty, courage, moderation, honor, service, and justice. As I have watched our country and my Facebook feed become more divisive, my anxiety has heightened and my insomnia has become a more regular companion. So, I have whirled these concepts around in my head in an attempt to center myself.

TRUTH. As of today, there are more than 1.26M confirmed cases of CoVID-19 in the United States. Our nation alone has lost more than 75,000 souls to this virus. We are not all on the front lines, in hospital emergency rooms and working with patients in intensive care, but those who are plea for the rest of us to accept their accounts as truth. They are eyewitnesses, and theirs is potent testimony. They are not touting hypotheses or theories; they are sharing objective and verifiable observations.

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. What is the present situation? We correctly rely on the aforementioned truth to describe it objectively and completely. The novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world. No one is immune. Age, gender, and chronic conditions increase risk. What is the ideal future outcome? I can’t imagine anyone would disagree that we hope to prevent as much infection and possible, ultimately eradicating the disease. This is where wisdom comes in strong. Do we have a choice? Absolutely. I tell my kids often that life can most basically be reduced to choices. We are tasked with considering all of our possible choices hundreds of times per day, most frequently without realizing it, making those that are most likely to result in our desired outcome. It is undisputed that even simple cloth face masks slow the spread of this virus and help those who may have this virus, but are asymptomatic, from transmitting it. So why, then, has the directive to wear masks in public become so controversial? People naturally rebel when they’re told what to do. However, the United States has a rich history of adherence to laws created to protect people. Do we storm the statehouse steps to protest proposed bills to fine people caught smoking in a vehicle with children? No, although being told what one can and cannot do in one’s private vehicle is distressing. We know secondhand smoke causes numerous documented health problems, and we want to safeguard our little ones from asthma, respiratory infections, and SIDS, so we don’t smoke when we’re transporting kids. See the analogy?

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY. We know the truth. We know it is wisest to don a face mask in public (right now, not necessarily forever). We have a duty to ourselves and each other to make the wisest choice, every time we leave our homes. The early Roman philosopher Cicero suggested duty is the result of being human, and the result of one’s particular place in life. There will be less acrimony if we acknowledge that our current circumstances dictate the duty to make truth-based, wise decisions — not a particular political party or a sector of scaredy-cats.

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY, which requires COURAGE. My daughter has been busy sewing face masks, and believe me when I tell you it takes my (heavily-tattooed US Navy veteran) husband quite a bit of courage to ask at the deli counter for a pound of oven-roasted turkey while sporting pleated limes or Eiffel Towers. He doesn’t look weak when he covers his mouth and nose with soccer balls and various images from the Galactic Empire, and neither do you.

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY, which requires COURAGE, which is not something we should exercise in MODERATION. We know exactly where moderation is useful. We remind ourselves to eat, drink, and exercise in moderation. We urge our children to indulge in screen time in moderation. At Culver, moderation is one of the cardinal virtues to suggest its students should not become consumed by one interest or activity. Fortunately, we can lead balanced lifestyles while being courageous all. the. time.

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY, which requires COURAGE, which is not something we should exercise in MODERATION, in an effort to HONOR the fragility of life. We honor our bodies by moving, drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods, taking action to reduce stress, avoiding things that are dangerous, and seeking proper medical care when warranted. Christians are guided by 1 Corinthians 6:20. Judaism is a corporeal religion, wherein our bodies are not our property, but G*d’s. Likewise, in Islam, the body and the soul are gifts from G*d, the ownership of human beings of their bodies described as a stewardship. It is true the coronavirus is spread from person-to-person, between people in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. It is true these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It is true a portion of those infected show no symptoms at all. Can we honor how precious life is? We’re not indestructible. Here today, gone tomorrow. Perhaps that silly-looking mask can push our tomorrows further out into the future.

TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY, which requires COURAGE, which is not something we should exercise in MODERATION, in an effort to HONOR the fragility of life, in SERVICE to ourselves and our neighbors. Serving ourselves and others brings us into an abundance mindset. It allows us to express gratitude. Gratitude begets grace, generosity, and happiness, and don’t we need all of that during these unprecedented times?

TRUTH, WISOM, DUTY, COURAGE, MODERATION, HONOR, and SERVICE. That leaves JUSTICE, upholding that which is good. … and justice for all… Metallica, amiright?

The ultimate in vanity

Exploiting their supremacy

I can’t believe the things you say

I can’t believe

I can’t believe the price we pay

Nothing can save us

Justice is lost

Justice is raped

Justice is gone

Pulling your strings

Justice is done

Seeking no truth

Winning is all

Find it so grim

To my fellow Americans wreaking havoc for having been asked, politely, to wear face masks in public,

Please stop being vain. You look terrific with elastic looped behind your ears.

Please stop exploiting your supremacy. You know as well as I do that arming yourselves and shouting into the faces of state police officers is inappropriate, and that our family members, friends, and coworkers who don’t look like you would have been gassed for doing so.

I can’t believe the things you say — that your rights and freedoms are being taken away.

I wish the price we have paid, are paying, and will pay weren’t so dear. 1.26M confirmed cases. 75,000+ dead.

I beg you to seek truth, always. TRUTH encourages WISDOM, which leads to DUTY, which requires COURAGE, which is not something we should exercise in MODERATION, in an effort to HONOR the fragility of life, in SERVICE to ourselves and our neighbors.

Love,

Sarah