COVID-19 DON'T PANIC!!!!

C.S. Lewis’ essay entitled Is Progress Possible? Willing Slaves of the Welfare State, has much to say and is very relevant today to address the COVID-19 panic.  This essay can be found in his book God in the Dock, which is basically the English way to say God on trial.

Note that this essay was written in 1958 and during that time one big fear of society was the destruction of the world by atomic bombs.  I want to focus primarily on the first part of this essay as he begins it by writing the following.

            Now I care far more how humanity lives than how long  Progress, for me, means increasing goodness and happiness of individual lives.  For the species, as for each man, mere longevity seems to me a contemptible ideal.

            I therefore go even further than C.P. Snow in removing the H-bomb from the centre of the picture.  Like him, I am not certain whether if it killed one-third of us (the one-third I belong to), this would be a bad thing for the remainder; like him, I don’t think it will kill us all.  But suppose it did?  As a Christian I take it for granted that human history will some day end; and I am offering Omniscience no advise as to the best date for that consummation.  I am more concerned by what the Bomb is doing already.

            One meets young people who make the threat of it a reason for poisoning every pleasure and evading every duty in the present.  Didn’t they know that, Bomb or no Bomb, all men die (many in horrible ways)?  There’s no good moping and sulking about it.

He goes on in his essay to say basically the government will use a desperate need real or apparent, to seize more power by claiming the ability to relieve this desperate need.  And we in our desperate need will gladly sell our selves by doing whatever to be saved.  Once we have done that the government will then do whatever they want “in our best interests”.

This is happening even now.  Make no bones about it the restrictions that have been put in place to “stop or slow” the spread of the virus are no mere suggestions but have the full force and baking of the government behind it.  Governor Newsom has already mentioned using the National Guard to enforce quarantine, of course in the best interest of the citizens.

As we obey these current restrictions we must do so with a tremendous amount of skepticism and criticism.  We must understand that power always corrupts and that those who rule are always corrupted by it even if they believe they are acting in our best interests. If we simply accept that the governments actions are reasonable and necessary it will be that much easier for them to impose restrictions just as draconian or more so at the next perceived threat.

Some may interpret my words while obeying the government (albeit under duress), as callous and insensitive to those who are most vulnerable to complications from this virus.  By no means am I callous or insensitive to those most vulnerable.  I am very cautious when it comes to those whose immune systems are compromised.  I get a flu shot every year not because it is especially effective at keeping me from getting the flu, but because it is effective at keeping me from spreading it.  I don’t do visits if I am feeling under the weather at all, for fear of giving something to those whose immune systems are not as robust.  Those who have compromised immune systems could suffer severely if I gave them a cold. We must realize first that our vulnerable population is vulnerable to all viruses and infections.  A simple cold for us could cause a life threatening illness in those whose immune systems are compromised.

First off don’t panic.  COVID-19 is a real virus and it can lead to complications that can lead to death.  But as Christians what is that to us?  We have no fear of death for we have the promise of resurrection with Jesus as the first fruits.  Now this doesn’t mean we should seek death nor does it mean we should be cavalier in our precautions to prevent the spread of any disease.   

What it means is we should not panic!  We should not fear!  We should look at the chaos around us and radiate a sense of calm and peace, the calm and peace that we receive through our Lord and Savior, the peace that passes all understanding.  Which is one of the reasons I am resistant to canceling church I don't want to contribute to the panic but instead give hope.  However, I also don't want to contribute to the spread of the virus.  There in lies mine and our churches dilemma how do we spread hope and peace to a world that is panicking and yet also not contribute to the spread of the virus.

Use common sense, wash your hands, cover your mouth and turn away when you cough or sneeze, sanitize surfaces, stay home if you are feeling ill or under the weather or have been exposed to any illness, but above all else don’t panic!  Remember what Peter writes in 1 Peter 3 verse 14 and following.

    

1 Peter 3:14-17

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear;b do not be frightened."c  15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  

NIV