Every Generation's Challenge

Every generation encounters a unique challenge.  The past several weeks have shown that the COVID-19 will be one of those moments.  We have talked a lot about how to act and how to make a difference during this time.  We have talked about character and making the right decisions even though they might be difficult.  We have learned a lot about our family, friends, and coworkers and we have faced a challenging moment in history together.  So what is next? 

When the first governors started issuing orders to close all nonessential businesses and to cancel events that involved large gatherings, many of us thought it was on overreaction.  Some were comfortable with it and others thought it could cause more problems than it was worth.  In hindsight, it was the correct decision to make and if events and gatherings were permitted to continue, we would likely have a much higher death toll.  Acknowledging this is important because there will be more difficult decisions to come.  When should malls and other retails venues be allowed to reopen?  When will sporting events be allowed to resume?  When will schools and daycares reopen?  We would all like this to happen tomorrow without any risk but that is not the reality of our situation.   The decisions being made by the President, the Governors, and the local Mayors will be critical and we must realize that they are doing the best they can.  These decisions will be analyzed, criticized, and talked about for a long time to come and they are being made with limited information.  The medical experts are doing their best to beat this terrifying virus but it is unreasonable for them to come up with an instant solution.  Finally, every day that stores remain closed and shelter in place orders are being enforced, our economy suffers, and this must be a factor as well.  We must reopen but we must be safe and big time decisions on when this will happen will be made.  We must do our best and hope we make the right choices.

With that being said, it is unrealistic to expect everything to return to normal in a day.  The worst thing that could happen is a shelter in place order ends and everyone quickly gathers together in a major event.  All it would take is for one person to be contagious and we could create a whole new problem.  So it is important for us to get back to normal life slowly and in phases.  Stores will reopen but we shouldn’t rush to the mall unless we must.  Shopping for fun and shopping for necessity are very different and we must remember that.  If we need to get our children new clothes because they have outgrown everything, then that is a valid reason to go.  Going because we want the latest outfit for no reason doesn’t seem quiet as important.  We must ease ourselves back into our normal routines.  Additionally, when salons and barber shops reopen, long waits are to be expected.  Do not put yourself at risk by going too quickly and to fix your style.  You might be uncomfortable but it is better than being sick.  Just because we can go to our favorite stores doesn’t mean we should do it right away.  Be smart and be safe and ease yourself back into a normal routine.

We all miss sports; we miss going to the gym and we miss watching them on television.  We want baseball to return and we want to be able to sign up for recreational leagues again.  It is important to temper our expectations.  Sports venues and gyms are among the most dangerous places to be when combating a virus.  This is why many major sports league like the NBA are considering television only events for while.  There is a big difference between two teams of twenty being in a venue alone versus having fans.  When shelter in place orders end, we might get to see some sports return but in a new capacity.  If the pro leagues play for televisions and radio only it keeps the fans and the players safer and still provides entertainment, although it will be weird not to have the fan noise.  Additionally, gyms and community recreation centers might have new rules and restrictions at first.  We must abide by them and ensue we take the proper steps to ensure safety. Failing to do so will only create a larger problem.

The biggest question facing us as a society is when we should reopen everything.  If we do it too soon we will make a pandemic worse, if we wait too long we will cripple the economy.  I, personally, am grateful not to be making this big decision.  It will be criticized and talked about for years to come. However, we must be smart and responsible when that time comes.  To answer the question of what is next, we don’t really know.  All we do know is it will be a process with many steps.  We must be cautious and smart and by doing so we will get through this together.