COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 18
Another rough day. I received yet another example of how stupid and reckless people, even professionals, can be. Since Chase Bank decided to change their policy and tack on a monthly fee to my account, I asked them to close my liquid card. What did they do? They closed my checking account! Because of how I have things set up, I would have to be high on glue to cancel my checking account. So, I called customer service, and after 30 minutes of waiting, I get this woman who said that there is nothing they could do! Seriously? They cancel a checking account via messaging, but they cannot stop my account from closing by telephone? For one of the world's biggest banks, they certainly are incompetent, and this is just one of many examples. What if the government tried to send my stimulus check? What if I had a bill payment being processed?
So, I went down to the local branch to talk to a banker on my lunch break. I had to sign in at the front desk and then wait outside because social distancing would only allow so many people in the bank. After about 20 minutes of waiting outside, I spoke to a banker, and it took 30 seconds to reverse the account closing and another 15 seconds to close the liquid account. Crisis averted, but I will have satisfaction for that one agent's stupidity and for taking away 1 hour of my life. If any of you are looking for a bank, stay away from Chase!
The rest of the day was fine. I had to call a church congregant on my way home, and it was refreshing to hear her say exactly what I was thinking. This pandemic, as it has been called, is really a plague. While it may not have been directly sent by God, as were the 10 plagues of Egypt, God allowed this plague to spread so quickly and to devastate as harshly as it has. She believes that this plague is to remind people to stop being so greedy and to stop crying over everything we lack. I believe that this is only part of it.
This plague was placed upon us for a few more reasons. First, it is a consequence of our selfishness and inconsideration for our fellow humans. For years, we have been taught to wash our hands and to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze, but people still do it. When things started getting bad and the state of emergency was declared on 3/12/2020, the governor and the mayor of Chicago advised people to cancel the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Guess what happened? While the parades were cancelled, the bars were still full. Because such simple health guidelines were ignored, the governor declared a lockdown, and bars, dining areas, and non-essential businesses, including, yes, schools, were closed. People were told to stay home. They were threatened with tickets and arrest, yet they still congregated on beaches and trails, so the mayor of Chicago had to close those down too. And, now look what has happened? Tens of thousands of Illinoisans are sick, and hundreds have died. Still, people don't learn. My neighbors above me and across from me have had parties over the past few days. Parties?! Selfishness and inconsideration is now lethal!
Second reason, people do not interact with others as they should. There was a time, not too long ago, when people would sit on their porches when the weather turned nice. They would greet those who walked by. The children would play all day long and come home dirty and smelly. They were happy and healthy. Then came internet. Then came video games and all forms of home entertainment. Online shopping. Smartphones. Eventually, people stopped having time for each other. People would not even sit with loved ones unless they had a phone in their hand. Now, we have all the time in the world to do everything online--because we are imprisoned by social distancing! That grandmother you never had time for? What if she has the virus? What if she is already nearer her God? You love your electronics so much? Well, now you can honeymoon with them!
Third reason, we do have too much pride and too much entitlement. We Americans, too many of us, are so spoiled that if we fell into a well, we could crawl out with diamond necklaces on both hands. Indeed, many of us have real problems, but too many of us will find anything to complain about. We are probably the only people to look in our pantries, notice food that could last a month to millions in other countries and say "There's nothing to eat." We are probably the online people to look into our closets, notice dozens of clean clothes that fit and say "I have nothing to wear." Shame on us!
Tonight is Passover. Here, we remember a group of people who were one night away from freedom, and they tell their children to remember what God has done for them. Their children then sing the song "Dayenu", in which they remember the many miracles and wonders God performed, saying that such things were more than enough for them. Now, THAT'S gratitude. We Americans have for so long sung the song "Lo Dayenu", which means "not enough to us."
Well, let's sing it!
If we are given the freedom of speech, religion, and expression, but not the freedom from offense,
Lo Dayenu!
If we are given legal equality but not legal special treatment,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have decent shelter but not a mansion or penthouse,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have edible, nutritious foods but not trendy foods with brand names,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have a reliable, simple vehicle but not the newest, most luxurious car on the market,
Lo Dayenu!
If Jesus is your Savior but not your genie,
Lo Dayenu!
If you have abundant life but not a perfect life,
Lo Dayenu!
Lo Dayenu, indeed! I just hope people are smart enough to let this plague drown their arrogance and pride.
--Signing off.
So, I went down to the local branch to talk to a banker on my lunch break. I had to sign in at the front desk and then wait outside because social distancing would only allow so many people in the bank. After about 20 minutes of waiting outside, I spoke to a banker, and it took 30 seconds to reverse the account closing and another 15 seconds to close the liquid account. Crisis averted, but I will have satisfaction for that one agent's stupidity and for taking away 1 hour of my life. If any of you are looking for a bank, stay away from Chase!
The rest of the day was fine. I had to call a church congregant on my way home, and it was refreshing to hear her say exactly what I was thinking. This pandemic, as it has been called, is really a plague. While it may not have been directly sent by God, as were the 10 plagues of Egypt, God allowed this plague to spread so quickly and to devastate as harshly as it has. She believes that this plague is to remind people to stop being so greedy and to stop crying over everything we lack. I believe that this is only part of it.
This plague was placed upon us for a few more reasons. First, it is a consequence of our selfishness and inconsideration for our fellow humans. For years, we have been taught to wash our hands and to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze, but people still do it. When things started getting bad and the state of emergency was declared on 3/12/2020, the governor and the mayor of Chicago advised people to cancel the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Guess what happened? While the parades were cancelled, the bars were still full. Because such simple health guidelines were ignored, the governor declared a lockdown, and bars, dining areas, and non-essential businesses, including, yes, schools, were closed. People were told to stay home. They were threatened with tickets and arrest, yet they still congregated on beaches and trails, so the mayor of Chicago had to close those down too. And, now look what has happened? Tens of thousands of Illinoisans are sick, and hundreds have died. Still, people don't learn. My neighbors above me and across from me have had parties over the past few days. Parties?! Selfishness and inconsideration is now lethal!
Second reason, people do not interact with others as they should. There was a time, not too long ago, when people would sit on their porches when the weather turned nice. They would greet those who walked by. The children would play all day long and come home dirty and smelly. They were happy and healthy. Then came internet. Then came video games and all forms of home entertainment. Online shopping. Smartphones. Eventually, people stopped having time for each other. People would not even sit with loved ones unless they had a phone in their hand. Now, we have all the time in the world to do everything online--because we are imprisoned by social distancing! That grandmother you never had time for? What if she has the virus? What if she is already nearer her God? You love your electronics so much? Well, now you can honeymoon with them!
Third reason, we do have too much pride and too much entitlement. We Americans, too many of us, are so spoiled that if we fell into a well, we could crawl out with diamond necklaces on both hands. Indeed, many of us have real problems, but too many of us will find anything to complain about. We are probably the only people to look in our pantries, notice food that could last a month to millions in other countries and say "There's nothing to eat." We are probably the online people to look into our closets, notice dozens of clean clothes that fit and say "I have nothing to wear." Shame on us!
Tonight is Passover. Here, we remember a group of people who were one night away from freedom, and they tell their children to remember what God has done for them. Their children then sing the song "Dayenu", in which they remember the many miracles and wonders God performed, saying that such things were more than enough for them. Now, THAT'S gratitude. We Americans have for so long sung the song "Lo Dayenu", which means "not enough to us."
Well, let's sing it!
If we are given the freedom of speech, religion, and expression, but not the freedom from offense,
Lo Dayenu!
If we are given legal equality but not legal special treatment,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have decent shelter but not a mansion or penthouse,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have edible, nutritious foods but not trendy foods with brand names,
Lo Dayenu!
If we have a reliable, simple vehicle but not the newest, most luxurious car on the market,
Lo Dayenu!
If Jesus is your Savior but not your genie,
Lo Dayenu!
If you have abundant life but not a perfect life,
Lo Dayenu!
Lo Dayenu, indeed! I just hope people are smart enough to let this plague drown their arrogance and pride.
--Signing off.
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