COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 320

 This is not a special report. I am writing this an evening early because I have a tremendous need to vent. First, I did receive my booster shot on Tuesday, and as of February 16th, I will be fully vaccinated, Halleluya! 

Vaccines for those over age 65 are now being offered, but I am hearing that those eligible are not able to make appointments. Perhaps there are first responders and other essential workers who still have not gotten theirs. Perhaps they the supply is not keeping up with the demand. Whatever the reason, be patient. Your time for vaccination is coming. Yes, there are reports that there are new strains of the virus, but the people who inform us of this are some of the same people still encouraging us to get vaccinated, so let's not kill the vaccine in the crib. Besides, a few years ago, they told us that there was a new strain of influenza found that may deem regular vaccines ineffective. Were there unusual outbreaks of influenza that year? I think not. So, if you can get vaccinated, why not?

Okay, the public service announcement has ended. It's time to vent. 

I have been trying to be patient about this since the pandemic began, but my patience is almost depleted. 

My frustration is about one of the most incorrigible hothouse lilies to ever draw breath: the American Christian. We are blessed with more privileges and rights than any other country, and we throw them away. We complain when someone tries to take away our privileges, but we don't use them! COVID-19 just made things worse. 

Surprisingly worse is the Black Christian (in general). The church and our faith has been our strength. When the cruel, spiritually-perverse slave master tried to convert us to his form of Christianity, we found the real Christianity and became better Christians to ever use the name. Even those who are merely Churchians drew on the strength of the church and the faith of their neighbors. Indeed, the church has been the heart of the Black community. And now, there are Black churches that are still closed and offer very little outreach. There are churches that are open, but most of their congregants won't even come to services because the Man told them to be afraid. And when the Man tells a brother or sister to do something, they bow their heads and say, "Yes, sir, Mr. Man, sir!" Do we not forget that fear is of Satan? God has not given us the spirit of fear! 

It makes me very angry that, even when the church building is made safe for social distancing, they still will not come to church! Yes, I know COVID-19 hit our communities very hard, but are we to be so afraid that we will not use faith or even reason? Churches that follow social distancing have proven to be successful, even where people have pre-existing conditions. I have been to two churches where the majority are elderly. The Greek Orthodox church where I have attended twice this year (and again this Sunday since my church will be closed for services again) not only have social distancing, but also reservations and seating charts. Last Sunday, they cancelled services at my church because of the snow, yet the Greek Orthodox church were I attended had a good turnout. Even the elderly, the last you would expect to attend, were the first at the church, then there were younger people. There was even a mother with a baby and two toddlers by herself. Snow did not stop them from coming to church. If they can have church, why can't we? If the turnout is too little to justify the use of heat and electricity for an hour or two, why not use someone's classroom or kitchen? I know of churches that meet in the basement during the winter to save money for utilities. Maybe I am being too critical or not understanding enough, but I have found that those who keep looking for excuses not to have church don't need them. There are those who could be in church but will not attend because they are used to everything virtual, so they virtually don't like dragging their tails out of bed, combing their hair, putting clothes on, getting in the car, starting the engine, and driving to church to be with fellow believers. I'm sure they are getting ready for one of the holiest days of their other religion: the Superbowl. They won't go to church, but if the Man had no issue with Superbowl parties, they would be in the first pew of their favorite church eating buffalo wings and drinking beer. But God's church? No...it's too cold, and there is too much snow on the ground. Besides, there is still a pandemic on, you know. Yes, I know there were people in areas where their cars were literally stuck in the snow, and they had no other way to get to church--and no one to help them get their cars out. Still, there are people who live in countries like Nigeria or Pakistan where even admitting to be a Christian in the wrong circles can get you killed, yet they risk death every Sunday. And I assure you, the survival rate of attacks from Christophobes is much lower than contracting COVID-19. These brave souls put us to shame, and we should be deeply ashamed of ourselves. 

And  if any clergy are reading this, I recommend that you wait until the majority of Americans have been vaccinated and then discontinue live recordings and YouTube/Facebook videos. Then, those who are truly dedicated will return to services. As for me, I honestly don't know how much patience I have for this pussyfooting and indolence I can tolerate. I just don't.

--Signing off.