I don’t often jump into the middle of current events and public policy, but I think I must do my part. The most loving thing we can do RIGHT NOW about the coronavirus (COVID-19) is to start practicing social distancing TODAY.

Here’s a link to a long and powerful article whose arguments I won’t repeat. (The link is safe: it’s to my private google web site.)

If you like pictures more than words, this article from the Washington Post illustrates how social isolation “flattens the curve” so that our hospitals will be able to keep up.

June and I had our last outing Friday. We have cleared our calendars except for some phone appointments and computer-facilitated meetings. The point is, the sooner we all act, the quicker we can get back to normal.

As I’ve written here, our daughter and family are in China and have experienced serious lockdown. Her full recent reflection is here, and this is her closing paragraph:

The biggest difference I’m seeing is that here in China, people have calmly complied with everything that was asked of us. It was a bit uncomfortable and some days were really hard, but we understood it was all for the greater good. We remained calm and respectful and rode it out. I am really scared by the way many Americans are behaving. This is serious, and it takes serious measures to get it under control. – Melody Gifford, March 15, 2020

None of this is to say we are not still responsible to love and care for those around us. I will write more about that tomorrow.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1.7, ESV)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise. (Ephesians 5.15, ESV)