Never, certainly in my lifetime, has a situation brought the entire world together to fight an enemy – but even in this gathering strength there is division.

Dissenting opinion is critical for coming to resolutions – if everyone thinks the same, then no new objectives can be created and perhaps areas of blindness will prevail. You can think of examples just like me – whether it is in business when companies like IBM and Chrysler didn’t think they needed to change or regimes like Nazi Germany thought they were invincible.

But our threat is more than another company or new way of doing things – our enemy is not a scapegoat – it is a virus. Perhaps a non-living entity that has no agenda but to survive and replicate.

Pope Francis delivered his-Urbi Et Orbi blessings an empty St. Peter’s Square square – Getty-Images

It’s easy to hate an enemy like this. And all of humanity is threatened in one way or another. Yes, we’re touched in different ways – we’ve probably all seen something on social media that shows that for some it’s the heartbreak of cancelling or postponing important events like graduations, weddings or milestones like proms that many of us have taken for granted.

For some it means not being able to be by the side of people we love in person who are losing their lives to Covid-19.

For some its desperation to work because money is running out to work and therefore live. It’s a humanitarian crisis affecting the world that no one has ever seen before – because it’s not just in part of the world. And technology can bring us anywhere to see its affects on all of humanity.

The brokenness of illness and those treating the victims worldwide.

Africa – Where virus protection is almost non-existent – AP

The resilience of humanity singing to each other from their windows.

There are countless examples of how the Pandemic is affecting us all – from the Pope prayerful from an empty St. Peter’s Square to celebrities catching and quarantining and even succumbing to illness – just like any other human.

The horribleness of this modern-day plague – and from now I just want to call it “The-Sickness-That-Must-Not-Be-Named” because like Voldemort I don’t want to give it any more power by naming it – and frankly I’m just sick of saying or seeing its name – is a thing that everyone in the world can relate to in some fashion.

There’s some sort of tragic beauty in realizing the frailty and strength in humanity in all of this.

Then come the blamers and finger-pointers.

Did SARS-CoV-2 start in a “Wet Market” in Wuhan in an animal – a bat? A pangolin? Something else? Is it possible that “germ warfare” is going on here and the virus was purposely created? I’ve seen arguments on both sides and the jury still isn’t out yet – “US explores possibility that coronavirus spread started in Chinese lab, not a market” CNN, Thursday, April 16, 2020 and “Scientists Are Tired of Explaining Why The COVID-19 Virus Was Not Made in a Lab” Monday, April 20, 2020.

Either way, who is responsible? Some what to point to an entire country as though every person living in China or those of Chinese descent are to blame, wherever they live.

Should government leaders have acted sooner? In an unprecedented circumstance it’s always easiest to look back, but difficult to assess at the time.

When should countries, states, and cities attempt to go “back to normal”? And what does that mean? And who gets to decide which is the absolute “right” thing to do?

Midwest governors partnering to assess re-opening states – Daily Mail UK

And it boils down to then threats, anger, hostility and I hope not violence against those who are considered at the least foolhardy and at the worst completely irresponsible and dangerous.

As a parent of children of any age, this is a terribly challenging time that ranges from parents who are in survival mode all the way to parents attempting to teach their children to be reasonable and have assessments from multiple perspectives.

We greatly value those who are providing “front line” services to our communities, commonly called “essential workers.” But what of those who are saying “all jobs are essential” because simply living period depends on their paycheck?

What are the impacts of heading “back to normal” too quickly vs. further economic destruction?

And further down what is the impact of hatred that is developing between groups of people that are polar opposites of these issues?

These are not easy times or easy answers.

Italians singing to each other during lockdown for Covid-19 – Times of Israel

I realize that I cannot control others’ thoughts, opinions and I certainly have no idea how to put myself in the shoes of those who are in varied ways facing the brunt of these circumstances beyond what is happening with me.

All I CAN do, is hope to try to teach my older teens that there are really are multiple perspectives, to not jump to conclusions and avoid the destructiveness of scapegoating, name-calling and insensitivity toward others – because none of that makes anything better.

They have a right to their own frustrations, confusion, feelings of missing out, etc. But past this stage there needs to be helpfulness, resourcefulness and flexibility and above all – hope.

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