The view from the deck near sundown
I remember reading that in biblical times people who were diagnosed with leprosy were required to shout loudly "Unclean, Unclean" (Leviticus 13:45) so that anyone that was coming near or could potentially come near would make sure to avoid them and of course the leper was required to avoid people at all cost. It had to be a sad and lonely existence not to mention fearful for both the infected person and those that could potentially be affected.
I am writing from quarantine as I observe the mandatory self isolation of my home province so that after fourteen days I can visit with my mother. Quarantine is boring, I won't lie! I returned home harmed with projects and books to pass my fourteen days but as one day blends into another and as the projects and books are finished it all seems a blur. There is an up side to isolation, there is time to do nothing guilt free because I am not allowed to go further than the deck (masked in case someone comes near). I confess there are days I would love to go for my walk and I would be happy to shout "Unclean" just for the opportunity to move about a bit more. But alas it is not to be and the fourteen days are slowly slipping by.
This time of isolation also means that I have had an opportunity to follow more news items and my mind boggles when I see a few that think their convenience outweighs the good of the majority and watch with much frustration as the numbers slowly climb because of the attitude of a few that refuse to consider the greater good. I asked someone, if I did not follow the recommended rules; established to keep the majority healthy, to keep the vulnerable safe; how does one live with that short act of selfishness and inconvenience that can impact someone else in a very disastrous and potentially deadly manner? A few weeks of inconvenience for me is a small price to pay and unlike the biblical times (that many like to quote) we are not ostracized completely by family, friends and society but we are asked to be more caring and compassionate so that we do our part to keep others safe.
My quarantine has not been a bad experience. Telephones, computers and multi-media keep us better connected than ever and never completely isolated and alone. The weather has been wonderfully cooperative -- rain and wind for a few days, sun but windy and cold for the remainder-- making it too cold or too wet to want to wander far. The seafood, of which I am enjoying in abundance, is fabulous and the ability to see family and friends safely at the end of the fourteen days will definitely have made it worthwhile.
Perhaps this time of pandemic and quarantine (yes, I agree,the pandemic has gone on for too long) calls each of us to do some serious self reflecting about who we are and what we would like to reflect to the world. Will we be known for our care, patience, generous spirit, compassion or will we be the entire opposite? Will we uphold what we are being asked to do; wear masks, quarantine if necessary, avoid large gatherings, worship in new ways; with a spirit of willingness so that we can eventually safely be together again? Or are we so foolish as to believe we have to be in a specific building at a specific time for God to know where we are? Then there is the defiance that the regular working person feels when the restrictions seem to punish those who are doing all they can to follow the outlined rules and yet the real issues seem go unchecked -- check out nearly any Tim Horton's parking lot (large gatherings, no masks and no distancing either).
My quarantine has also forced reflection and the realization that I have become impatient and even intolerant of those that will not comply with public health directives forcing those who do comply to remain in isolation for longer and longer. I hear levels of frustration increase and tolerance decrease. I hear the anger that people feel when someone does not isolate as required and boom the cases increase exponentially. Quarantine has kept me away from people it has not cut me off from conversation and information. Nor has it caused me any serious physical impediments so that I can no longer see, hear of feel what others convey. I do wonder what the end result of all of this will be when we once again gain the "normalcy" that we long for and I am reminded of a quote that I read somewhere, a little child who lives with autism said "I don't want to go back to normal, I want to go back to better."
