In the background of my thoughts is the application of the Parable of the Drowning Man to COVID. A version for COVID is this:
A man heard about the COVID-19 outbreak: Stay at home unless you must go out, wash your hands thoroughly, stay six feet away from others, and above all – wear a mask.
During the several weeks his work was closed, he went out only for groceries.
But he refused to wear a mask —and urged others not to wear one. He objected to government telling him what to do. After all, his Creator imbued him with unalienable rights, such as life and liberty.
As the man’s community reopened with limits on crowds at restaurants, bars and other businesses, he was thankful. He wanted to get back to normal.
Despite what experts suggested, the man continued not to wear a mask. He frequented crowded places where face coverings were not worn.
One day, his friends had a large dinner party to celebrate a couple’s anniversary.
A few days later, the man started coughing. He lost his sense of taste and had tightness in his chest.
Later that week he was tested for COVID-19 by his family doctor, and soon, he was admitted to the hospital, delirious with a high fever.
Eventually, he was placed on a ventilator, and like many before him, died alone.
In heaven, he shyly asked, “God, I prayed repeatedly for you to protect me from the coronavirus. I believed in you with all my heart and soul. There must be some mistake.”
God answered, “You saw the carnage. I gave health officials the wisdom to let you know to wash your hands, stay six feet apart and to wear a mask. I gave you wisdom to pass the word that masks would help you and others to be safe. Your leaders let you know to avoid large gatherings, especially indoors.
“Now I have given scientists a cerebral cortex and wisdom to invent vaccines quicker than ever before that will protect communities against the virus. But what did you do? You refused to be vaccinated – the one miracle that was needed to eradicate the rapid transmission of this virus.”
A man heard about the COVID-19 outbreak: Stay at home unless you must go out, wash your hands thoroughly, stay six feet away from others, and above all – wear a mask.
During the several weeks his work was closed, he went out only for groceries.
But he refused to wear a mask —and urged others not to wear one. He objected to government telling him what to do. After all, his Creator imbued him with unalienable rights, such as life and liberty.
As the man’s community reopened with limits on crowds at restaurants, bars and other businesses, he was thankful. He wanted to get back to normal.
Despite what experts suggested, the man continued not to wear a mask. He frequented crowded places where face coverings were not worn.
One day, his friends had a large dinner party to celebrate a couple’s anniversary.
A few days later, the man started coughing. He lost his sense of taste and had tightness in his chest.
Later that week he was tested for COVID-19 by his family doctor, and soon, he was admitted to the hospital, delirious with a high fever.
Eventually, he was placed on a ventilator, and like many before him, died alone.
In heaven, he shyly asked, “God, I prayed repeatedly for you to protect me from the coronavirus. I believed in you with all my heart and soul. There must be some mistake.”
God answered, “You saw the carnage. I gave health officials the wisdom to let you know to wash your hands, stay six feet apart and to wear a mask. I gave you wisdom to pass the word that masks would help you and others to be safe. Your leaders let you know to avoid large gatherings, especially indoors.
“Now I have given scientists a cerebral cortex and wisdom to invent vaccines quicker than ever before that will protect communities against the virus. But what did you do? You refused to be vaccinated – the one miracle that was needed to eradicate the rapid transmission of this virus.”
