In other times of national disaster and tragedy, people came together to make sacrifices to protect the greater good of the community. Families sent their young women and men off to war, knowing the likelihood that they may not return. People went without some necessities so that they could be used in the production necessary to turn the tide of battle. People gave sacrificially to those impacted by the disaster, trying to lift up those whose lives have been upended.
We are in the midst of the most dangerous pandemic the world has seen in a century. As of this past Monday, nearly 300,000 people have died and 4.3 million people have been infected with this horrible disease. Our country has been hit the hardest, with 1.4 million cases and over 81,456 people dead, once again, as of this past Monday. Only a few countries have more cases per 1 million people and given the massive shortages in testing equipment in the USA, it is likely that our total case number is actually much higher than being reported. Worldwide, nearly 7% of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have resulted in death. The actual mortality rate is likely lower than that—once more, because there are likely many more cases than currently confirmed, but even the lower estimates by some scientists of a 1% mortality rate is still ten times higher than the normal flu.
In response to this deadly disease, one that has claimed more US lives than the entire Vietnam War, we are not seeing a coming together to vanquish this disease. We’re not seeing a spirit of shared sacrifice and cooperation, a willingness to give up what may be yours by right in order to protect others and lessen the infection rate and lethality of this disease. Instead, we are seeing protests of stay at home orders, protests that often feature assault weapons, confederate flags, and other hate and violence-filled images. People are insisting that they will not give up one single perceived right—even when medical professionals know that giving up some freedoms in this pandemic will absolutely save lives.
Despite the insistence of some people that this is not a good time to place blame on anyone, it is a time to hold leaders accountable for the decisions they are making. And the tone, rhetoric, and language from our President has only exacerbated division in a time when we need to come together. He has encouraged debunked theories and myths about the disease, been untruthful to a degree never before seen in a time of national crisis, and used this time to attack political rivals and anyone who might question the decisions of his administration.
That language has carried down into his supporters and those on the far right who have been emboldened by this presidency. And so we have seen horrible news stories these past several days. In Oklahoma City, four McDonald’s employees, aged 16 and 18, were shot by a woman when they told her that the dining room was closed. In Holly, Michigan, a 68-year-old man wiped his nose on a clerk at a Dollar Store when told he needed to wear a mask. And in Flint, a woman shot and killed a security guard at a Family Dollar when he would not let her in without a mask.
This is obscene.
We cannot know for sure what restrictions and actions will guarantee us safety from this disease. In truth, there is very little that will guarantee safety. However, staying at home has helped to flatten the curve so that hospitals will not be overwhelmed. Anyone who has seen photos of overwhelmed hospitals in cities where the curve was not flattened, who has heard stories of people dying in hallways and bodies stacked in rooms, must know how essential flattening the curve is. While wearing a mask is not protection against getting the coronavirus, it lessens the likelihood that an asymptomatic carrier will pass the disease on to others.
Businesses and people are absolutely struggling during these restricted times. And we should do everything we can to help those struggling. Several churches have increased the aid they offer. We must continue those efforts so that businesses do not feel the need to open up before it can be done safely and with minimal risk to their employees.
My own congregation, St. John’s Episcopal, has increased our assistance to people needing help with utilities. We have also partnered with Lakeshore Latinas, Movimiento Cosecha Holland, and Community Action House to create an Immigrant Relief Fund to assist immigrants—many of whom have no access to the social safety nets the rest of us do. Thanks to a generous grant of $20,000 from the Emergency Needs Fund (a partnership between the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, the Holland Area Community Foundation, and Greater Ottawa County United Way), a $5,000 grant from Herman Miller Cares, and numerous other donations, we have raised over $40,000 that is being used to help people with groceries, rent, and utilities.
If you want to believe conspiracy theories and trust YouTube videos over infectious disease specialists, that is your right. It is still a free country. However, you do not have the right to engage in violence against people trying to do their jobs. Unless you have a medical condition, you do not have the right to ignore rules surrounding masks and social distancing. When you do, you are not only putting other people’s lives at risk because you might be an asymptomatic carrier, you are also very likely only increasing the amount of time businesses will need to be shut down.
We need to return to what makes this country great, to the spirit of cooperation and self-sacrifice that we have seen in prior times of crisis and disaster. We are better Americans, better Michiganders, better members of the Tri-Cities community than what has been on display these past several weeks. And if we don’t start doing better, more people will die. Obey the law. Follow restrictions. Give generously to those in need. This is how you can save lives.
The Rev. Dr. Jared C. Cramer, Tribune community columnist, serves as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. Information about his parish can be found at www.sjegh.com.
