I heard an interesting radio program the other day. People were asked, “When in 2020 did you realize that the world had changed?” After thinking for a while, my realization that our world had begun to change came on Monday, March 9, 2020.
I was scheduled to visit several church members on that Monday, in the final week of serving the church as its Parish Visitor. Accompanying me was my soon-to-be successor, Betsy. I thought these visits would provide a vision for Betsy’s new job, but I now realize how her work would be entirely different from mine.
One intended visit was to Nancy, a sweet woman in her 80’s. Nancy was a widow in relatively good health, who loved discussing her family, her faith, and her thoughts about life. She lived in a senior care facility.
A sign on the front door of Nancy’s residence read, “Visitors: Please see the receptionist upon entry.” “That’s unusual,” I said to Betsy, “normally, I just sign the guest register and proceed to Nancy’s apartment.” The spreading coronavirus was the theme of the interview. The receptionist questioned us about our health and recent travels. In early March 2020, the virus seemed to be spreading around the country, but not so much in our community.
“Have you recently traveled or been with others who have traveled to or from the following countries…?” the receptionist asked.
Betsy’s brother had recently visited her, and his plane had stopped in one of the countries mentioned. Betsy explained her brother’s visit and the receptionist subsequently explained, “I’m sorry, you will not be able to visit your friend today.” We said we understood and left the building, although at the time I really did not fully understand. As I walked across the parking lot, I remember feeling sorry thinking that Nancy would miss our conversation that morning.
The countless ways this illness would impact the world would be revealed soon thereafter. Today, over one-half million people have died from the effects of Covid-19. For every death of a family member, nine people are significantly impacted and will grieve the loss. Imagine that number… at least 4.5 million people in the U.S. are in mourning.
A great percentage of the deaths have been the elderly, many residing in places similar to the one we tried to visit. More broadly, the virus has altered our lives in ways few people could have understood in March of 2020. The increased stress resulting in anxiety or depressive disorders has increased for all generations. Studies are showing that the long-term effect of COVID lockdowns on the mental health of seniors is unclear, but the negative influence of loneliness among older adult is well documented. One 2020 study indicates that one in four seniors reported anxiety and depression, compared to one in ten in 2018.
Reaching out to seniors and their communities in “normal times” is very important. Seniors in generally good health confronted with a global pandemic would particularly benefit from discussions which acknowledge the grief resulting from losses in the pandemic. And while visits from the church are still not generally allowed, continued contacts via telephone, social media, Zoom and other means would continue to be important. Even a handwritten letter will affirm that they are not alone.So, when did you discover that the world was changing? If you have had difficulty coping, I hope something mentioned in this and future posts might be helpful. As the world begins to find ways to control the spread of the virus, I trust you will find the your personal peace.
At Peace 