The battle against COVID-19 is a decoy

By Bill Fox/Columnist

The greater battle may be on the inside.

Worry is terrible mental punishment. What’s going to become of us? After all, for myself, I’m 73, diabetic, and I have been asthmatic since I was seven. Many seniors see themselves slipping, getting worse and worse, and we wonder what the finish will be. Sometimes we get so discouraged in thinking about the future but we must stop worrying about it. It’s got to be one day at a time. Worrying at great length has no benefits. Are you an excessive worrier? The fact-of-the-matter is worrying can affect the body in many ways. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.

In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer from high anxiety and even panic. Right now some are feeling a sense of impending doom or unrealistic fears about their health or the economy that only increase their worries.

Chronic worrying can affect your daily life so much that it may interfere with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking or using alcohol and drugs.

I believe if we function on a spiritual plane as well as on a material plane life will be easier. We may see clearly now that all material activities are valueless in themselves alone. But all spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical activities should now be in the forefront.
I pray that I may function on a spiritual plane as well as on a material plane. Today I try to use the talents God gave me to benefit others. I’ve found that this is what others valued all along. I try to remember that I no longer work just for myself. I only get the use of the wealth God created; I never have “owned” it. My life’s purpose is much clearer when I just work to help, not to possess. The virus also helps us to see how fortunate most Canadians are, compared to many developing nations.

Some good is coming from this. Up to 100,000 premature deaths caused by air pollution in China could be avoided if the country’s economic slowdown continues at its current rate over the next year, researchers say. As the burning of fossil fuels has dropped, air quality has improved significantly. In Venice the waters are now clear and people can actually see fish in the canals. There are many more examples of how the Earth is restoring itself.

Younger friends and relatives are enjoying spending time with their kids and say the less rigid schedule is really nice. Not having to wear “real” clothes is also a bonus. Some now see it as a positive for everyone to slow down and rearrange priorities. Many have been on a sort of new journey of self-discovery. We are Facetiming with the grandchildren much more often.

Some businesses are now embracing remote working as a productive and viable way to manage their workforce. Think of how 401 rush hour traffic will decrease if this trend continues in future years.

The virus will have taught us another valuable lesson: we must stop relying on overseas suppliers for so many products. Sure, those products from China, Italy, or South Korea are cheaper. But what if a virus, or a war interrupts our supply again?

Cash is king and the good times never last. In fact, they’re very fragile.

In the U. S., for example the government invests twice as much into the military machine than they do for health and education. Those previous priorities should always now be challenged. Finally, thanks to all those still working, especially the first responders and particularly our nurses who never seem to get enough credit. If grocery stores are raising the pay for their workers, why can’t we do at least as much for our nurses?

I’m at bdfox@rogers.com praying for all our frontline health care workers and I am thankful for their efforts.