Most historians give credit to Benjamin Franklin for saying this, but all will agree that the signing of the Declaration of Independence put their lives at risk. There was no question at that point that our nation was going to fight a war with Great Britain.
We seem to all be facing another war right now with another invader: COVID. Perhaps then it is good to dust off this famous phrase and look at it’s intent… getting everyone on the same page. It is a well-established fact that our politicians then were not on the same page. That was the problem then, and it once again is our problem now.
We are all in this together whether we like it or not. COVID is a common enemy to us all, regardless of political persuasion, race, creed, or gender identity. Wearing a mask should not be in question, yet it still is. Social distancing is not just a good idea, it is essential. Hopefully, we will soon hear of a vaccine, but immunization of the country is a long way off even then.
Our society seems to have lost its commitment to each other. We are not dedicated to mutual wellbeing. We have become terribly self-focused. Sure, I don’t like our restrictions, but we have proof that loosening restrictions quickly results in more rapid infection statistics.
Perhaps the reason we have become this dysfunctional is because there is so much misinformation out there on terribly important issues: faulty test data reporting, diagnosis bias (hospitals making more money in the mortuary with that rather than whatever else might have been the cause), and whether this or that existing medication alternatives work or are at least helpful.
I have become suspicious of everyone because almost everything I read seems to be politically motivated. COVID is not about any one perspective being right. We all have to be “on the same page” or we are all victims. COVID Is our enemy and defeating it requires that we hang together.
A song comes to mind that needs to be brought back. It was made famous by Cannonball Adderley in his song: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. Here is the introduction to that song by Adderley:
“You know, sometimes we’re not prepared for adversity. When it happens sometimes, we’re caught short. We don’t know exactly how to handle it when it comes up. Sometimes, we don’t know just what to do when adversity takes over. (chuckle). And I have advice for all of us, I got it from my pianist Joe Zawinul who wrote this tune. And it sounds like what you’re supposed to say when you have that kind of problem. It’s called mercy, mercy, mercy.”
That seems like part of the answer for sure. I hope you enjoy it. Listen here.