Who Can I Trust in the Pandemic Age?

Trust is an issue for many of us. Who do we trust and what do we do when someone breaks that trust? I’ve been dealing with these concerns a lot lately.

Recently I’ve been confronted with an issue that is somewhat new to our world – social distancing. Over the last few months, it is something I preach and my family and I have been adhering to it to the best of our ability. Does that mean I don’t see anyone? Nope, I’ve talked to people on the street but I’m making sure that we are separated by at least six to ten feet. Am I going to drive-by parties? Absolutely. I’m just making sure not to leave my car. We are letting the kids know that we can have people come over but the rule is that they have to be 10 feet away, bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on outside and we can’t share anything. And they absolutely cannot come into the house. Is it a pain? Sure. Would I rather give my children free reign? Absolutely. Would I rather be using a ventilator to breathe because the rules of social distancing were too difficult to follow? Hell no!

Andrea and I have been explaining to our children the last few months why we have to be so careful. They understand. After all, they live with a dad with cystic fibrosis. We’ve always been careful not to invite anyone over if we’ve heard they have been sick. My close friends are always kind enough to call me ahead of time to let me know if they aren’t 100% and they don’t want to risk it or they give me the option. It’s very much appreciated. It’s just one of the reasons why we are such good friends.

Not everyone though can be trusted, unfortunately. I recently learned one of the families in our kids’ school threw a party with several kids attending. I didn’t want to assume anything so I just hoped the children were practicing social distancing. Unfortunately, some of the kids posted pictures from the party and I know now that social distancing was not being practiced. I just don’t understand how parents can host—not to mention—allow their children to attend parties where social distancing is not being practiced during this pandemic. They are putting their older and immunocompromised friends and relatives at risk. The other issue is now having to explain to my children that we can’t even take these risks that these others are taking. The thing is, I’m lucky because my kids get it. They know that if I were to catch COVID-19 that my odds of survival are less than most others my age and that even if I do survive, my lung function will be lessened severely. I want to give my children everything, but leeway on this matter is just not something Andrea and I can afford to provide them. To their credit, they haven’t even asked for it.

I know that not everyone is thinking about me with regards to practicing social distancing nor do I want them to, but I do hope that they are thinking of their grandparents, parents, and other high-risk relatives whose lives could change dramatically if they are to contract the virus. To some, social distancing and wearing masks in public is a nuisance. To someone like me, it’s life or death. I don’t want to judge people because honestly what authority do I have to judge anyone. I’m just concerned because I don’t know who to trust anymore.

In the state of Georgia, I’m still angry at the number of public places that were opened up despite warnings from infectious disease doctors and even President Trump not to do so. I understand our economy needs to be jump-started, but bowling alleys, gyms, and tattoo parlors are not the places that I would recommend opening initially. Just today, we had over 1,200 new cases of COVID-19 and we have yet to flatten the curve though our governor has said we have.

People talk about having trouble trusting again after a failed relationship. I’m having trouble trusting those who govern my state, people I’m friends with on social media, and people I’ve known for years who always told me and my family that they had our best interests at heart.

I thought it was bad enough worrying about a life-threatening pandemic. Apparently, there is a lot more to worry about.

Live your dreams and love your life.
Andy