I am scared. I have faith but I am scared. I could go into all the reasons to be scared, but you know them already.
But I am also encouraged. Not Pollyanna encouraged, but hope comes to me from my heart and also from facts.
The social isolation I feared is soothed by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel leading online services and learning opportunities. I know that this is not available to those of us who do not have connectivity, and we need to include those people. Rabbi Dean is reaching out to them by phone, as should we all. Many of us, myself included, just don’t like online socializing. Too bad, I say to myself. I tried it, and as Judy Windrix posted online, I too miss the handshakes, hugs and Hamotzi rituals of our gatherings – this is what we have to do for a while. It sure beats back the loneliness.
I am encouraged by the stories of recovery from the virus. We have seen the data that the fatality rate of this is anywhere from 3% up to 9% depending on circumstances, and we rationalize that means at least 90% of cases are not fatal. But the news is filled with stories of those who die. Of overcrowded Italian hospitals, of impending doom in New York. Because I do not know who those 1%-3% will be. We have all heard that most infections are mild, but the stories of survivors of severe cases sound horrible. And that scares me. But yesterday I got an email from good friends in Seattle. Both of them had it – they had 101.5 fevers for a few days, sore throats and body aches. Both completely lost their sense of smell. They are fine and look forward to next week when their 14 day isolation ends. There was a small article below the fold in the New York Times that climate activist Greta Thunberg had a mild case and is completely recovered. I am NOT saying take it lightly – I am saying I have felt hope by hearing stories of recovery.
Wuhan is recovering. Travel restrictions are being eased. Public transit is running again. They went through two months of authoritarian shutdown that we don’t have – and they are on the downslope of it. A few days ago there were news stories of zero deaths and zero new infections. Apparently it is true that this too shall pass.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign of all is that yesterday I saw rainbows in the morning and in the evening – the ancient sign of hope and renewal.
This really is tough and likely to get tougher in the next few weeks. Stay strong, stay home, keep faith.
From the President – March 26, 2020
March 27, 2020 by tbhrich •
I am scared. I have faith but I am scared. I could go into all the reasons to be scared, but you know them already.
But I am also encouraged. Not Pollyanna encouraged, but hope comes to me from my heart and also from facts.
The social isolation I feared is soothed by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel leading online services and learning opportunities. I know that this is not available to those of us who do not have connectivity, and we need to include those people. Rabbi Dean is reaching out to them by phone, as should we all. Many of us, myself included, just don’t like online socializing. Too bad, I say to myself. I tried it, and as Judy Windrix posted online, I too miss the handshakes, hugs and Hamotzi rituals of our gatherings – this is what we have to do for a while. It sure beats back the loneliness.
I am encouraged by the stories of recovery from the virus. We have seen the data that the fatality rate of this is anywhere from 3% up to 9% depending on circumstances, and we rationalize that means at least 90% of cases are not fatal. But the news is filled with stories of those who die. Of overcrowded Italian hospitals, of impending doom in New York. Because I do not know who those 1%-3% will be. We have all heard that most infections are mild, but the stories of survivors of severe cases sound horrible. And that scares me. But yesterday I got an email from good friends in Seattle. Both of them had it – they had 101.5 fevers for a few days, sore throats and body aches. Both completely lost their sense of smell. They are fine and look forward to next week when their 14 day isolation ends. There was a small article below the fold in the New York Times that climate activist Greta Thunberg had a mild case and is completely recovered. I am NOT saying take it lightly – I am saying I have felt hope by hearing stories of recovery.
Wuhan is recovering. Travel restrictions are being eased. Public transit is running again. They went through two months of authoritarian shutdown that we don’t have – and they are on the downslope of it. A few days ago there were news stories of zero deaths and zero new infections. Apparently it is true that this too shall pass.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign of all is that yesterday I saw rainbows in the morning and in the evening – the ancient sign of hope and renewal.
This really is tough and likely to get tougher in the next few weeks. Stay strong, stay home, keep faith.
We are what we do – DO wash your hands.