My Nickel’s Worth

By nature, I am a rule follower. I don’t think of laws as suggestions, I actually follow them. I wear my seatbelt. I don’t speed. I don’t run yellow lights. My fiancee calls me grandpa because I drive so slow.

During slavery, Harriet Tubman broke the law and helped slaves escape to freedom. In Germany, brave men and women hid Jews to save lives. In these two situations, disobeying the law saved lives. However, we are not living in one of those times right now.

Please follow the law. I have spoken to numerous medical personnel, and COVID-19 is not like the flu. It can be fatal, and it is more aggressive than our typical flu.

If we don’t stay home when we can, stay away from family and friends, or if we don’t constantly wash our hands, we could potentially kill someone. You might be an asymptomatic carrier who doesn’t show symptoms but gives this to someone else.

There is no need to panic. Be calm. But take this seriously.

When I lived in the Oklahoma City area, we had a man in our church who laughed at us for going to the storm shelter whenever the tornado warning sirens rang. He called the cellars and safe rooms “Scaredy Holes.” One year, a tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma. The man had laughed and laughed about all of the hype from the meteorologists. He said it was for ratings. He said you were more likely to be struck by lightening than killed in a tornado. Until a big tornado hit. He ignored the warnings and was on the interstate driving his truck when the tornado hit. His semi-truck was thrown into the air, and his truck landed on some other people and killed them. He didn’t die but was hospitalized for a long time. You see, because he ignored the warnings, he didn’t die but others did. He was selfish and his actions had consequences.

So, those of you who are mocking those staying at home..stop it. They are saving lives. They are following rules to protect the most vulnerable of our society. Maybe yours. Be safe and do what you are asked. COVID-19 is not a joke. Take it seriously.