My heart breaks for the Class of 2020. Imagine going to school one day with your graduating class and without warning, learning the next day that you may never see your class again (not even on Graduation Day). Seniors in high school instantly went from feeling the high of Senioritus to experiencing the low of Coronavirus. Outgoing seniors have had to postpone or cancel senior trips and those involved in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, have lost entire seasons.
But my heart doesn’t just break for the Class of 2020 because of what has happened to them during their senior year. My heart breaks for this class because since the day they were born, they have been fighting an uphill battle. Born after the tragedy that was 9/11, the class went on to experiencing the 2008 financial crisis and impending Great Recession. From beginning to middle to end, all the class of 2020 has known is heartache.
The class of 2020 can’t much recall a world before social media and smartphones and I think that is sad in and of itself. But it is at this point in time that perhaps the sun will shine a little brighter on this class of hazmats and facemasks. After 9/11, the world had to learn how to travel differently. After 2008, homes weren’t purchased in the same fashion. Airport security, 24/7 surveillance, and bank loans were some of the things that took on new meaning.
POLITICO’s article on how the “Coronavirus Will Change the World Permanently” is a fascinating article. Some of the highlights include:
“Will nations stay closed? Will touch become taboo? What will become of restaurants?”
“But crisis moments also present opportunity: more sophisticated and flexible use of technology, less polarization, a revived appreciation for the outdoors and life’s other simple pleasures.”
“It could become second nature to recoil from shaking hands or touching our faces-and we may all fall heir to society-wide OCD, as none of us can stop washing our hands. The comfort of being in the presence of others might be replaced by a greater comfort with absence, especially with those we know intimately. Instead of asking, ‘Is there a reason to do this online?’ we’ll be asking, ‘s there any good reason to do this in person?’-and might need to be reminded and convinced that there is.”
“America has long equated patriotism with the armed forces. But you can’t shoot a virus. Those on the frontlines against coronavirus aren’t conscripts, mercenaries, or enlisted men; they are our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, caregivers, store clerks, utility workers, small business owners and employees . . . When all is said and done, perhaps we will recognize their sacrifice as true patriotism, saluting our doctors and nurses, genuflecting and saying, ‘Thank you for your service.’ as we do for our military veterans.
“The extraordinary shock(s) to our system that the coronavirus pandemic is bringing has the potential to break America out of the 50-plus year pattern of escalating political and cultural polarization we have been trapped in, and help us to change course toward greater national solidarity and functionality.”
“America for several years has become a fundamentally unserious country. This is the luxury afforded us by peace, affluence and high levels of consumer technology. We didn’t have to think about the things that once focused our minds-nuclear war, oil shortages, high unemployment, skyrocketing interest rates. Terrorism has receded back to being a kind of notional threat for which we dispatch volunteers in our military to the far corners of the desert as the advance guard of the homeland.”
“All faiths have dealt with the challenge of keeping faith alive under the adverse conditions of war or diaspora or persecution-but never all faiths at the same time. Religion in the time of quarantine will challenge conceptions of what it means to minister and to fellowship. But it will also expand the opportunities for those who have no local congregation to sample sermons from afar. Contemplative practices may gain popularity.”
The Bible is clear that when one part of Christ’s body suffers, all parts of Christ’s body suffer (1 Cor 12:12-31). Yes, the class of 2020 has suffered greatly, but so have we all. After all, a virus doesn’t just affect one part of the body. No, it weakens the entire immune system and all parts of the body suffer.
But out of all the suffering, some good will come forth (Rom 8:28). The quotes I wrote above will affect different people in different ways. But from my point of view, increasing family time, sabbath rest, and a gratitude for the working man/woman are good things. We need times where we can socialize with family members, pause and hit reset, and tell others thank you for the job you do. We need times where we can put the screen down and recreate outdoors. If anything, for those who are healthy, the coronavirus is helping to bring about a balance in our lives that has been out of whack for far too long.