Quarantine
In almost every country affected by this novel virus, now known as Covid-19, quarantines have been put in place. Some countries have lockdowns, curfews, or strict regulations. Here, in America, many view this quarantine as an unconstitutional infringement on their liberties. There may be some truth to that. However, a measure that is in affect across the board is most likely not meant to be an assault to our liberties. The USA has not experienced a true emergency situation on a national scale for many years, perhaps since World War II. In fact, many do not see it as an emergency now, just because it has not affected their area as seriously as others. The low mortality rate is touted; yet many forget the days spent in the hospital and even on ventilators for many of those who do recover. Only the years to come will tell how many of those who suffered with the virus will have lasting lung damage.
Quarantine does not stop its virus, but it does slow the spread so that medical facilities are not overwhelmed. Oh, but many say, it has not been as bad as they predicted. It is just like a flu. Some of the field hospitals never even got a patient. Should we not be thankful that they did not got a patient? That does not make it better for any of those who did. Also, not all field hospitals are empty. Here is a look inside one in New York City. And here is a diary of a night spent at the Samaritan Purse field hospital in Central Park, NYC. It is easier for us who are not on the front lines and perhaps not in the midst of the worst part of the pandemic to brush it off as “not as big as they said it would be.” But that is likely not the view of the many whose family members are suffering or who have passed away. Have we considered them?
When the flu goes around each year, we try to avoid being in large crowds, especially where we think there could be people that might have it. We all know that many times, if people do not feel really sick, they do not stay home. Yet, there have been many instances where people have gathered in large crowds, larger than normal, even in public places just because it was recommended that they not do it. When we cannot do something, we find out how badly we really want to do it. When we have the flu going around each fall, we try to stay away from large gatherings, especially if anyone there has flu symptoms. With this novel Corona Virus, sometimes people can be sick with it and not have any symptoms. Yet, some seem to want to get together in large gatherings just because they are told not to. Getting together in large groups at close proximity is not even good common sense. In the end, what it boils down to is, if people do not govern themselves, somebody will do it for them.
Government
Now it is no secret that the government has way overstepped its bounds in some areas. Let us start first with quarantine. Many feel that statewide or nationwide quarantine is unconstitutional. As mentioned above, there might be some truth to that. But let us step into our leaders’ places for a few minutes. Should we assume that they do this just because they want to abuse their power? Or should we talk to them first and find out what they are thinking and feeling. One leader, at least, expressed that they felt the weight of death upon them. Others have felt very heavily the responsibility for preserving lives. Before we judge, we would have to consider if we would be ready to Take Over Bos’n .
Abuses of Power and Strange Happenings
Among the abuses of power are the strict regulations controlling online streaming of church services in California. The ban on certain things during these services reads, “No singing or use of wind instruments, harmonicas, or other instruments that could spread COVID-19 through projected droplets shall be permitted unless the recording of the event is done at one’s residence, and involving only the members of one’s household or living unit, because of the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.”
Now, this would be funny if it were not so serious. Will the Covid-19 spread through the internet? Yes, there will be a few people in the church building; but these would be people already exposed to each other anyway. If the building is aired out or well ventilated for a few days before regular church services are resumed, these things would not, or should not, even be a concern.
In a few places around the country, people experienced trouble when attending drive-in services. At one drive-in service in Mississippi, everyone who attended was given a $500 ticket. This situation, and some others, were remedied after those affected went through proper legal channels.
Another example of abuse of power is the restriction of sales of seeds and gardening items. Also, restricting the sales of non-essential items goes too far as well. The economy is already straining; and telling businesses what they can and cannot sell and people what they can and cannot buy is not even sensible. On top of that, it puts undue hardship on businesses, business owners, and people who would like to buy. Also, the classification of seeds and gardening items as “non-essential” is questionable at best. Governors of states that have made these regulations need to be held legally responsible.
Another very sad thing that is taking place is the large amount of food and milk that is being wasted. Some of this is due to regulations which should not be in place in the first place – too much control of farmers and control of how they can sell and what happens when they donate. But some things do not make sense. Many stores have limited supply of produce and milk. Why are there no special provisions being made so that the farmers can get their products to those stores? Schools are still serving free lunches, so that source of customer base should not be completely eliminated. Many restaurants are still offering take-out services, so that source of customer base is not completely eliminated either. Something needs to be done about this situation – not just now during crisis time; but as a whole. We must be careful not to forget when things return to “normal” and our lives become more comfortable. Unconstitutional laws and regulations are still unconstitutional even when we are not being directly affected by them. They can cause great trouble later on. The government needs to take its hands off much of the control of the farmers and their work and where and how they sell. And the citizens need to make sure the government is held responsible.
Yet another situation that raises eyebrows is the paper products shortage. Sure, in the beginning, it would make sense that people are hoarding these things. However, many stores now have a limit of only one or two of each item per customer. So why is there still a “shortage”? How did three semis (in different areas of the country) that were carrying toilet paper “just happen” to have an accident. If there were just one, that would be understandable; but three? One wonders, did they have a little “help” in having these accidents?
What Can We Do?
The first thing we can try is to petition for redress of grievances. The right to petition government for redress of grievances is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals. More detail can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_petition
(Of course, Wikipedia complains that some of these things were not “ruled on by any court” or that they do not fairly represent the differences between governments where the “right” is not as strong. Really, that is of no consequences. This right is still guaranteed to the American people and those other things do not change it. This right comes from the first amendment to the Bill of Rights, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”)
Our first line of defense would be to petition the government to address these grievances.
We can also write to our elected officials. We can try doing so with the understanding that we are not in their places and we do not have all the information they have, and the weight of responsibility does not weigh upon us like it does upon them. We need to consider how they may feel, not just how we feel.
When there is a serious situation such as there is now, it would be good not only to present our grievances, but also to assure them of our prayers and perhaps to present some ideas and solutions that might work instead of the things they are trying now. If it is a situation that needs a remedy, sometimes just complaining is not enough. A workable solution that also retains people’s rights may have simply not occurred to them. Maybe we could share something with them rather than just complain.
A good example for us would be seen in Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Now their situation was a little different. They were in captivity in a strange country. We are in our own country and under our own laws. However, their example of dealing with those in authority can teach us some things.
When the four Hebrew children mentioned above were being trained to work for the king, they were appointed a portion of the king’s meat. However, they could not eat this food because it violated their conscience. Daniel purposed not to defile himself with the king’s meat.
What did these four Hebrew children do? Did they say “Who does this king think he is that he would order us to eat meat contrary to what God allows? He has no right to do so! Of course, we will not eat the food!” No, they did not have defiant, rebellious attitudes. In fact, the Bible says that “God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Even though Daniel had been taken into captivity, he did the best he could to live peaceably with his captors and to maintain a good testimony. Therefore, when the time came that he and his friends were ordered to do something against their consciences, his captors were willing to listen to him.
*Daniel and his friends explained their situation to the prince of the eunuchs so that this man could go and inform the king.
*They took into consideration that the prince of the eunuchs was doing as he was told and that disobedience could endanger his life. They considered the welfare of the one that was over them.
*The presented a workable solution in place of what they had been ordered to do. This solution worked so well that Melzar, the prince of the eunuchs, took away the portion of the king’s meat that was given to the other people in training and gave all of them the same diet as was given to the Hebrew children.
(See Daniel chapter one for the whole story)
When we consider the rulings and orders of the authorities over us, even if we feel they have done wrong, we should not speak about them or approach to them with a haughty attitude or with rebellion or defiance. We certainly should not speak about them to others by describing all their evil points and calling them names. The Bible gives us a solution, and we know that the solutions in the Bible work because they are God’s word. Proverbs 25:15 says, “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Also, Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
We should not try other ways to get things changed until we have followed the pattern God gives us for entreating authority – speak softly, be patient, ask the Lord to change the heart of the authority. And then we should be patient and wait for God to answer. Our comfort and our rights are not more important than our testimony, doing right, and God’s glory. We may be amazed to see what happens when we do things God’s way and when we spend time seeking His face about the matter and pleading with Him for the answer and solution.
There are times when it is right to take action against the authorities over us. Examples of this can be found in various places in the Old Testament. But these things should not be utilized until we have done the others first. Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 13:1-5 teaches us to respect and fear the authorities over us. We cannot expect to have success when trying to take action to hold our leaders accountable if we have not first gone the peaceable route clearly lined out in the Bible and showed due respect and proper fear to authorities (even the ones we do not like or who have made unjust orders or rulings). We cannot expect to have success when we try to take action if we have not coupled these peaceable solutions with time spent seeking God’s face and exercising patience waiting for God’s answer.
God’s way is the best way. Let us give it a try. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2)