Note: The thoughts expressed in this blog post are from me personally, and do not represent the opinions of my employer (Hope Church Albany)
Having spent
five plus years in higher education, coupled with earning two master’s degrees
(one each in theology and business), I believe I have a sincere and
significant appreciation for advanced academics. While it is too early to accurately
evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled at a state and federal
level, I would contend that the major discrepancy between the projections and
reality, be a point of close examination, at a later time.
For several
weeks, our politicians have been telling us that they are relying on the best science,
including medical expertise, that is available in the world. Based upon these experts’
opinions, decisions have been made to partially shutdown the economic and
educational systems through the USA, and even internationally. Trillions of
dollars are being spent, within our own country, to mitigate the dire
consequences of these shutdowns. All the stimulus money is adding to our
national debt, to be paid by future generations, if it will ever be paid.
The strongest
argument being made by politicians, who claim they are relying on the prognostications
and predictions of the experts, is that extreme measures must be taken to protect
life. My question is: Whose lives are they protecting?
I am most
definitely a proponent of protecting life. What I find so astounding, and this
point is not being raised in the public dialogue about the crisis, are the
implications of the decisions to be made. Let me be clear, very clear, what I
will say next has nothing to do with protecting the profits of large
corporations.
Any
decision dealing with the C-19 crisis is a choice as to who will suffer; precisely,
who will be protected and who will be exposed to unknown and unavoidable
consequences.
Consequences
of partially shutting down the US economy
There will
be businesses, across all sectors, who will not reopen, and jobs will be lost. From
a financial perspective, this will increase unemployment payments and eventually
welfare, and all the associated benefits. Yes, this is financial, but it’s more
than that.
When a person
[or family] in poverty is unable to work, there are direct consequences across
multiple areas: housing, food, physical health, mental health, family
stability, substance use, crime, etc.
From a
health perspective, the effect of the shutdown, will have massive impacts.
Those impacts will be in a variety of areas, to include, but not be limited to mental
health; abuse, including abuse against children; substance abuse; and
consequences of stress upon physical health. Stress is a major factor in many
physical illnesses.
The
longer the shutdown is held in place the deeper and broader the impacts will
be.
To those who
argue they are protecting from the loss of life due to the virus, I would
suggest you are not fully considering the consequences.
When mayors,
governors, and even the POTUS, makes a COVID-19 related policy decision, they
are CHOOSING WHO WILL SUFFER.
To disregard
or ignore the consequences of shutting down the economic systems of states and
our nation, is to be basing decisions on incomplete information. Yes, I understand
that lives will be lost due to the COVID-19 virus, but I am not blind to
children who are being sexually abused, women who are suffering domestic violence
at greater levels, people in despair who are committing suicide, individuals
who are becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol (due to boredom, seeking an
escape, or returning to a past habit), and other dire consequences. To those who allege I am exaggerating, contact
me in six months, and I believe that we will see that more people will
be negatively impacted by the shutdown (both directly and indirectly), than
those who were impact by the disease itself. Furthermore, it won’t even be
close. I hope I am wrong on this.
Admittedly,
there are no easy decisions. I pray for our elected officials and medical
experts. I asked God to give them wisdom beyond their experience and education.
Consequences
of partially shutting down the US educational system
Teachers,
whether public or private, have an incredibly difficult job. That would be an
accurate description even before the C-19 pandemic surfaced. Now that most
schools have either pivoted over to online/digital learning, or have completely
shuttered their doors for the year, it is appropriate to consider the impacts
this may have.
In my role
in higher education, I conducted extensive research into online learning, as modality.
What I discovered, and to an extent was surprised to find, was better students often
excel in online classes. This was attributed to factors such as: self-motivation,
the ability to learn, the ability to be structured and disciplined, etc. On the
other hand, the average or nominal student will struggle or suffer in an online
environment.
Online
learning is a newer educational model. I think it would be safe to say that
most teachers were trained to be in a classroom, not in front of a computer
teaching their students. I have master’s in business administration that was an
entirely online degree program. I speak from first-hand experience, in saying
that I have witnessed PhDs and doctorate level professors who excel in a
classroom, severely struggle in teaching an online class. Logically, if
teachers are struggling, students will struggle.
While it
will be difficult to assess the full impact of C-19 policy decisions upon
students, it would be irresponsible to assume that students will be unscathed. Education
experts have identified academic skills that are acquired at specific age
levels. Precious months are being lost in the academic development of the next
generation, which may lead to long-term damage. For example, I read recently an
article that suggested research shows that children acquire the ability to read
between 7 and 9 years old. If they do not learn to read during this window of
time, there is limited success in teaching reading as they become older.
To governmental leaders
I implore
our governmental officials at all levels to make decisions for the greater good
of our nation. No matter your decisions, as I stated earlier, you will be
choosing who will suffer. There is not an option that is free of significant
consequences. There is not an option that does not involve the loss of life and
long-term implications. This is the harsh and hard reality of a pandemic. I
appeal to you to protect life. Know that whatever path you choose, it will be criticized
and complimented. Lastly, be very careful with whom you turn to for counsel,
for even the experts are proving themselves to be wrong. The decisions you are
making right now, on behalf of your constituents, are far too important to get
wrong or to base upon political motivations. Ask God for help, and He will give
you the wisdom you need in this very critical moment.
