As Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, Hanukkah 2021--the 8 day Jewish Festival of Light--begins. Both holidays and the ones that follow, are powerful traditions that have evolved and adapted to changing cultures, social orders, and outer conditions, still celebrated as supplies were disrupted (or just not there) and grave dangers hovered. The spirit of celebration and remembrance continues, always retaining the spiritual essence of it's origin--even in the face of secularization. Human beings are rooted by tradition. Yet we continue to adapt. As the poem linked below expresses, we make and unmake ourselves individually and collectively over and over again, as does all of Nature. The microbial world too is the changing unseen face of Nature. We are now facing yet another mutation of Covid-19--the Omicron variant.
This morning, I listened to an Omicron update by Dr. Fauci, announcing that it would likely be another 2 weeks for research to determine how effective the current vaccines are against Omicron, even as new and updated vaccines are already in the early stages of development. He advised a basic rule: as we wait, prepare for the worst--not expect the worst, not that it will be "the worst", but prepare. There are some indications that although highly transmissible, the Omicron variant may not be as dangerous as we fear. We are in a waiting window, where we simply must be clear-headed. Everyday for the next few weeks will bring new information and, unfortunately, exploitative misinformation. For me, this means staying flexible, grounded in faith that includes the inner spiritual directive, prayer, peace, and intelligent practice--spiritual practice and public health practice in 6 steps: (summed up by epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina)
Ventilate spaces. Use masks. Test if you have symptoms. Isolate if positive. Get vaccinated. Get boosted.
For many, myself included, this Thanksgiving marked a great step forward, past the isolation of the Pandemic with a chance to gather with others in shared traditions. I felt deep gratitude for that opportunity and for all who have made the vaccines and boosters possible and available. I am sure the Hanukkah celebrations that are planned for the week ahead bring that same excitement and hope of Thanksgiving, even though new uncertainty surrounds us once again. As Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson wrote this morning (online CNN), "The message of this season is the potential of the smallest bit of light to push back the darkness." All the more reason to light our candles, physically and metaphorically. (Susan Nettleton)
For a lighthearted, incisive poem on the great mix of life and adaptation from contemporary Korean-American poet, Suji Kwok Kim, follow the link: