Two days ago the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic. This has resulted in unprecedented changes in our country, as well as around the world. Schools, churches, and other gathering places have closed for an indefinite period of time in my area, as well as other parts of the United States. As one of my friends noted: when Disney World closes, you know things are getting bad. This is not true in some countries where there are many COVID-19 cases, I am told, where schools are still open and the numbers of ill are increasing exponentially. It has been interesting from a people-watching perspective to observe the various responses to this current crisis.
The thing I least expected was the shortage of toilet paper. Many people are asking why? The short answer is based in at least two psychological phenomena: retail therapy and panic-buying. Buying all the toilet paper on the shelves helps people feel a sense of control in an environment where they sense a lack of control. It’s relying on an external locus of control to control one’s internal emotions (retail therapy). Also, if you walk into a store and see everyone buying toilet paper, you may panic and start buying your own (panic-buying). It’s a good idea to stock up on essentials, but a strong head on your shoulders can be helpful in this panic-driven society.
God is our internal locus of control. He has it all in control. Let’s not forget that.
Honestly, I’ve been wondering why we haven’t seen the same phenomenon happening with diapers and wet wipes, but that may not provide the same sense of relief for a purely personal need. Are we thinking only of ourselves? Hmmm. 🤔 I suppose we could go back to washing out cloth diapers. Then again, we could do the same as our ancestors did before toilet paper existed and use a corn cob. 😂😂😂
I’ve digressed.
As a patient with metastatic breast cancer, my curiosity with the coronavirus has heightened due to concerns of my own immunocompromised body. My white blood counts are fine at this time, but I am told my body has a harder time fighting infections, viruses, and diseases due to the cancer that still lives within. I take lots of supplements, use essential oils, and of course I pray many times throughout the day. I am also washing my hands frequently, using the 20-second rule.
We were traveling when all of this began. We have been on the road since March 2nd when we left Vero Beach. First we went to the Exponential Conference in Orlando where 5000+ church planting professional gathered together. (They didn’t seem too concerned about the Coronavirus at the time). Next we drove to Charlotte, NC for Tim’s national council meetings (starting to see a little concern in the US at that time). And now we are in Oklahoma City for a wedding he is officiating for a friend (pandemic and panic are evident across the media). My observation is that the change in attitudes and behavioral responses happened very quickly, as does the spread of this virus.
It is surreal, as it seems life goes on in most of the places we are visiting. Restaurants are filled with people, as are the malls and hotels. Yet, notices of school closings and other event cancellations have been showing up on my FaceBook feed and ticking across the TV throughout the night. Every news channel and radio station is focused on this event. This morning I prayed God would direct me to the places that are virus-free. We will be back in Texas on Sunday, and then I can hunker down and stay home until this passes.
You may recall I belong to an online support group of over 5,000 MBC patients. I posted a thread… “Coronavirus check-in. How is everyone doing?” which started a very active discussion from patients living all over the world. Most of the threads said they were doing okay, with a brief update on what is happening in their world. A couple of people used the forum as an opportunity to state their political views, of which I was uninterested to participate to be honest. Aside, this isn’t about politics. You can argue the response of various leaders from both sides, and no matter how red your face gets, the other parties will become even further entrenched in their views. It’s just not worth it. We believe what we believe, and we need to accept that. We need to work together here to fight this thing.
MBC group members in the hotspots seem to be a bit more concerned than the rural areas, while many are trying not to let this interrupt their flow of positivity. Overwhelming responses to my question indicated we are more aware of our frailty, and we are taking whatever precautions are necessary to keep us safe and healthy. But this is something we do all the time, so it is not necessarily new to us. At least two people in the thread have contracted the virus, or are being tested for it. Others have bronchitis, the flu, pneumonia, or other major illnesses. It is challenging enough to fight cancer without this added concern. For them I am praying.
In addition, there is a fear that if we do not “flatten the curve,” medical professionals who are inundated with cases will be forced to choose who gets treatment and who does not. In essence, doctors will be placed in an ethical position to say who lives and who dies. This is already happening in other countries, and could happen here if we do not contain the virus. The concern in my group is that we will not be deemed valuable enough to save, since we have already been diagnosed with a terminal illness. We would not receive the last ventilator, for example, if they did not have enough to go around. One woman has been fighting MBC for 11 years. She is doing well. Her body is stable, but she still has MBC. She has children to care for, and she expressed her fears that the medical professionals would place her lower on the list of those “valuable enough” to save, if it came to that.
There are those who still feel we as a nation are overreacting. Perhaps. I am not writing this to debate whether the decision to close flights or other gatherings is the right or wrong thing to do. I am writing this because I think it might be helpful to inform you of the fears that go beyond the lack of toilet paper, whether or not we can go to school or church, or whether we can go to Disney World or the Houston Rodeo or an NBA game. I wanted to let you know there is a real concern amongst those who are battling a chronic illness, cancer, and probably the elderly. MBC patients live daily with the reality of life and death, yet now have to face yet another crisis that impacts already frail emotions.
So far I am virus-free, and so is my hubby. We are taking precautions as much as we can. It is suggested we stay home. Stay away from people. Wash our hands. I agree, and I plan to stay home as soon as we are home. 😉 But there is another side to this as well. Every time someone goes into public with the potential to infect another, they are putting others at risk. You may not even know you are infecting others. While social distancing may not feel good, I think we can find a way to make this work. Altruistically. It’s only temporary anyway. Let’s rely on the words of Jesus for this one…
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Á la prochaine…(until next time).