You hear that phrase frequently, but do you extend the metaphor?
We use war as a metaphor all the time—football games, pricing competitions, political issues, even family squabbles. This is one time I like the metaphor. We are truly in deadly combat. We need to come together and present a united front against an enemy that is insidious, pervasive, merciless and lethal. This is the most righteous war we can fight. We are not defending ourselves against someone who sees things differently than we do. The enemy is a virus.
This seems such an obvious question: How should we support a righteous war?
1) By supporting our soldiers – almost everybody acknowledges our healthcare workers as our frontline. They are engaged in hand to hand combat. I would add our scientists and medical researchers because we need a cure more than better defenses. And , of course, our army includes our service providers, who keep our country going while we are locked down in our houses. How much of the federal bailout money is going to the front line—in combat pay, for research, for supplies, for proper staffing, for honor?
2) By distrusting our politicians – I can’t think of a single historical conflict where the politicians were considered a positive force in getting things settled. I don’t think the politicians on either side in this country are making a very good showing in this crisis (well, maybe a few of them). We have to make a distinction between distrusting our politicians and listening to those in authority. Most of the directives we are getting about staying safe are coming from the scientific community through the government. The folly of those leaders who choose to ignore the scientific evidence is being revealed pretty dramatically. I hope they are held accountable at the polls.
3) By being individually committed — each one of us needs to decide that we have a role in fighting this war. The most obvious contribution we can make is doing our part to stop the virus: you know the drill—wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands, avoid unnecessary contact, quarantine if needed. We combat the virus by not getting infected and, if we do get infected, by not passing it on. Of course, we can do much more. We can contribute to those less fortunate; we can reach out to those we know who are alone or hurting; we can encourage and care for each other; we can vote for responsible leadership; we can support the economy in safe, acceptable ways. We can commit to the cause.
4) By pulling together – I’ve always been inspired by stories of how the country came together to support the war effort during both World Wars. I remember clearly how divided and torn we were by Vietnam, an unjust and unpopular war. I repeat: this is the most righteous war ever. An unnecessary death is a greater loss than a missed paycheck. A gap in your education can be amended—the hole caused by the loss of a loved one cannot. We have a better chance of recovering a rubust, healthy economy by shutting down the virus than by pretending everything is the way it used to be.
5) By trusting – Alcoholics Anonymous teaches that in order for an alcoholic to overcome an addiction, the help of a higher power is needed. (I have some very specific thoughts about the higher power, but…) Humankind is not going to win this war on our own. Trusting our higher power is adding spiritual force to our arsenal. The power of prayer cannot be denied.
Have you enlisted? I truly believe that better times are ahead, but each one of us can play a part in making them come about sooner. If you haven’t already, I hope you will join the battle.
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