I work with active mature adults (a.k.a. seniors) for a living and have been doing so for over three years. One of the participants of the discussion groups I coordinate reached out to me this week to see how I was doing.
Besides letting them know what I was up to, I wanted to share a few opinions I had with the group for their next discussion. I don’t typically participate in their groups (I do the behind-the-scenes work) or even share my opinions, but I thought this would be a healthy change of pace and was impressed to share these on The HC while I was writing them. So, without further adieu, here is The Hidden Chalkboard’s first-ever…
Which ones do you agree with? Which ones don’t you agree with? Leave a comment below and let me know why!
- Gov. Kemp’s decision to reopen early (I live in Atlanta, so this is close to home) and the national stay-at-home orders are BOTH going to have negative side effects on the immune system and American society. In each scenario, the immune system of each citizen is going to be adversely affected and neither of these solutions can help us deal with a second wave of this virus, should it come.
- The stay-at-home orders have done more to curb pollution than any of the climate strikes. I like and miss hearing from Greta Thunberg, actually. People willing to stand up for what they believe is right is what got us where we are. But what did it take to actually see the changes in the environment that we’re seeing right now? Not treaties, laws, conferences or even climate strikes. It took a global crisis to get us off the streets and allow the land to rest from the burdens we put on it. Sounds a lot like the sabbath laws in Leviticus 25. He knew that the land would need rest and when it was, it would be able to work better for us. Watch what happens when people get back to work again. They’re going to see the results of what rest can do for the land.
- Waiting for vaccines we HOPE will have no side effects is no match for maintaining proper hygiene and adopting lifestyle changes to boost immunity (proper amounts of sleep, sunlight exposure, dietary changes, etc.). Not saying I’m an anti-vaxxer. I haven’t done enough homework on that yet. But given that we’ve got awhile to wait before one is actually ready, why not take the time to make positive lifestyle changes that can curb some of the worst diseases we deal with today? Here’s a little more research on this.
- People are blaming President Trump for citizens ingesting cleaning agents, yet the individual who does this completely ignores the warning labels these products have had on them for years advising them not to do so. Long before the president took his oath of office, Lysol and Clorox had directions on their labels on how to use their products. Clorox gives specific directions on what you should do IF their product is SWALLOWED. What we ingest is our decision, not our president’s.
- The stay-in-place orders have given people a much needed break from the excessive demands and inadequate wages of American labor, increase quality time with their families and help them assess what’s really important in their lives. However, it shows the serious need for pro-family organizations (family development, counseling, etc.) and mental health resources.The stress and anxiety of this situation has worsened families with abuse and neglect worldwide. Given that a lot of resources for these people have been reduced because of COVID-19, getting out these crises has gotten a lot harder. Check out this source if you’re struggling with this. If you’re mentally struggling during this time, whether you’re single or in a family, don’t hold it in. Pray. Talk with family members. Find a counselor. But don’t try to handle it alone.
- The DOJ’s request for extended emergency powers is dangerous and strange. Last month, the Justice Department asked Congress for a number of added emergency powers during this crisis, including the ability to hold defendants until a crisis has been declared over, restricting asylum claims on, and potentially allowing prisoners to be arraigned by videoconference without their consent. It’s strange to me because one of the tenets of the conservative ideology is limited government.
- Speaking of ideology, I hope pro-life advocates remember that the ideas behind their ideology doesn’t just apply to the unborn after this is over. They apply to everyone that is alive from the child in the poor home who is dependent on the school system for proper nutrition to the seniors who some people think are worth sacrificing to restart the economy. Expand your platform, guys.
- I can only wonder if things really will to go back to normal. I honestly hope they don’t for several reasons.
- The world needed a shift from its current mode of operations (excessive pollution and consumerism, etc.) and now, they see why.
- It is revealing the defects of our current system (unadaptable economy, poor business practices in our food supply chain, etc.).
- It is showing us what jobs are truly essential and necessary. We’re appreciating those workers much more and I hope we see an increase in their staff and pay.
- Not saying that we should stay-in-place forever, but what is being revealed in this time frame should not be ignored or neglected once we’re out of this crisis. Millions of dollars in advertising, new products, movies and scandals are probably being prepared right now to get us back to that same “normal” mindset and mode of operation. These kinds of vain distractions could sweep the vital lessons we could only have learned through this crisis under the rug and set us up to repeat this history all over again. Forgetfulness is one of the qualities of our “normal” mindset and I, for one, do not want to forget about this experience.
- After this is over, no one should assume that the world will keep spinning. For centuries, people took the way things were for granted and believed we were always going to live like this. But what did it take to change that? A virus. Something invisible to the naked eye was enough to bring the entire, spinning world and that prideful belief to a halt. Things can happen and the Bible tells us that things will happen. We should always be aware of that, no matter how peaceful things may or may not look.
Honorable Mention:
Seriously, guys. I know we’ve gotten really gung-ho about getting the world back on its feet, but watch how you deliver that package to people who lost loved ones will during this crisis. They’re not just part of a statistic. They’re fathers, mothers, brothers, grandparents, etc. whose lives got cut short and their loved ones are grieving. When this is over and we’re back at our jobs reconnecting, they’re going to be thinking about that loved one they won’t be seeing again on this side of eternity. Talk like that matters. Plan like that matters. Act like that matters.
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