As we enter May 2021, much is changing in U.S. with the Pandemic. We have been through many previous changes, much upheaval and tragedy, as well as extraordinary scientific breakthroughs and human acts of courage and self-giving. With the amazing vaccine roll-out, Covid-19 cases across the country are falling (but not in all states) and the Covid-19 "rules" are changing. Far from perfect, the fact that we have vaccines at all, in such a short time period, produced under extreme social conditions, is to me amazing--as of April 29, CDC reports a total of 237, 360, 493 vaccines have been administered. That breaks down to 143,793,565 (43%) people with one shot and 99,668,945 fully vaccinated. Yesterday and today more are added, even if the numbers are slowing down. As cases drop, the recommendations loosen.
While the new recommendations for people who are vaccinated are liberating for some, for others, particularly for those who work, visit or live with children, they are confusing. We may be able to be outdoors without masks, but it is never clear whether those without masks have been vaccinated or not. Children as yet cannot be vaccinated. Over age 2, they need to wear masks outside the household. That's a skill that must be practiced and learned. Masks remain essential for those who are immune compromised and must take exceptional precautions. In addition, we are all warned to continue to wear masks in "crowds". What is the definition of a crowd? (My rule of thumb is that I am in a crowd when I cannot maintain social distancing of 6 ft., but in some situations, social distancing is now defined as 3 ft. In a brief pinch, I'll use 3 feet, but maybe it's more prudent to just wear a mask...) This dilemma is compounded by the ambiguous message of the more transmissible variants, the surges in specific states in the U.S. and the overwhelming global spread across the globe, most particularly today in India with it's variant. The scientific research about transmission, immunity and vaccines on the newest variants is still in process and not yet clear.
We have been at this point of confusion before. Overall for the U.S., the news is positive. It's important to remember that because, spiritually, we can choose to focus on the Good, while doing our best to protect ourselves and others. At the same time, when our public protocols begin to become foggy, it's time to tune-in to our intuitive leanings, on the deepest level we can access. Each situation is different and we need to approach it with refreshed awareness. Eventually the confusion will lift. Time and experience with new knowledge, accumulated through research, as well as public and communal reflection, will clear the way. In the meantime, stay with your moments of prayer and meditation. And above all, listen to the inner directive. (Susan Nettleton)