Work Distractions From this C-Virus Mess

In the past, we've referred to various aspects of our current C-Virus Mess that may distract us at work. The Mess isn't done yet. Yes, there's some loosening of restrictions on businesses that have been essentially locked down. But we're by no means out of the woods. As for masking, distancing, restrictions on gatherings, they've not disappeared by any means.

Businesses negatively impacted by all this have reacted in different ways. Some have simply closed their doors. Others have cut back on employees if revenue has decreased significantly. Many of those folks who remain employed work primarily from home. (I like working from home, but apparently some don't.)

We keep reading that things are picking up. However true that may be for some, there are industries that have not yet felt the full impact of this Mess. For example, government subsidies kept people employed at virtually dead airlines. As the subsidies were used up, layoffs ensued in the fall. And despite a pick-up in air travel compared to last year at this time, it's still far below what it once was.

Some industries have taken to self-promotion that's really nothing more than propaganda. Cruise lines claim their business is up 90% over last year. Well, since it was essentially zero a year ago that's not surprising. But it's also not particularly impressive.

Of course, the so-called "vaccines" have given impetus to the claim that it's all going to be over soon. And yet, virtually every headline pushing vaccines is matched by stories of continuing "cases" of COVID, whether in this country or overseas. For example, lately we're seeing claims that, in Brazil, younger people are getting sick and being hospitalized.

We could go on, but you get the point. 

It's safe to say that, while things may have somewhat improved, we're by no means over the hump, never mind out of the woods. 

Add to this now all the chatter about "vaccine passports," the pressure being exerted on anyone who has not or - worse - is not intending to get jabbed (by what is an experimental vaccine no less!). Will such people be deemed irresponsible? I think we already see this happening. Will they be held somehow accountable if this Mess does not end soon and cleanly, if there are residual effects? What happens if we get another serious round of this version of COVID, or a new virus strain that causes governments to reinstate their draconian "lock downs"? Will that trigger a movement to force people to be jabbed?

On a more personal level, will family and friends who choose to take the jab now refuse to be with those who don't? Will even such loved ones separate? Will we find a whole class of people held in some state of isolation?

No, I'm not obsessing on all this constantly. But some such thoughts now work their way into my work day sometimes, as I take a break from the task at hand. Has this sort of thinking impacted your work day? Even if only for a few moments, it takes away from time that could be spent if not working, then at least in prayer. (Remember ora et labora - prayer and work? Shouldn't that take up the bulk - if not all - of our time?)

Frankly, it feels a bit strange to share such thoughts. I don't want to sound like I'm totally frazzled or een complaining. I'm not. It's just that I figure all this isn't going away, and so can only grow worse unless confronted now. If nothing else, at least we can recognize such thoughts, acknowledge any feelings that may accompany them, and somehow corral them, put them in their place, keep them in perspective. Either that, or they will potentially expand and take up even more of our mental and emotional space, to the detriment of our work, maybe even our stability of, worse, sanity. 

Apologies if any of this appears an exaggeration. I just thought it might be a good time to bring it out in case you have similar thoughts and feelings. And if so, let's nip them in the bud. Providing a proper context might help to do that. So here's one suggestion.

In tradition Liturgical calendar, Tuesday, April 13th was the commemoration of a martyr, St. Hermenegild. You can read something about him HERE. His true Catholic faith caused him to be persecuted by his own family. When we consider what some of our martyrs endured for love of Christ, we might put our own distress, even suffering, in that light. At the very least it could help us bear up with more strength, even courage. At the most, we might dismiss all that stuff we just talked about as our own stake in the struggle to love Christ above all else. Here's how the Divine Office for April 13th reminds us to do so:

"O God, Who dist teach thy blessed Martyr Hermenegild to choose an heavenly rather than an earthly crown, grant, we beseech thee, that we, like him, may so pass through things temporal that we finally miss not those that are eternal."

All of the nonsense of this C-Virus Mess thus takes its place in the light of eternity. May we be given the grace to keep it there.