Monday November 23, 2020
Back in July the State of New Jersey established a task force to develop a mechanism for distribution of a Covid vaccine. The plan has our state population divided into several groups. Phase 1A focuses on the roughly 500,000 health care workers who are in the highest risk for contracting Covid due to their work with infected populations.
Phase 1B focuses on an estimated 776,000 essential workers: law enforcement, government officials, farmworkers, those with jobs in food production, transportation, and energy sectors. They are the people who keep our state running. This phase also extends to the 1.5 million who are most vulnerable: nursing home residents or seniors living at home.
But as the vaccine becomes more available, the real issue will be that of public trust. It’s something we’ve had in short supply over the past several years due to conspiracy theories abounding on the internet. Although most of us here have abided with safety restrictions, we still need as a society to rebuild our sense of trust that the officials we elect really do serve our interest. That is the most important work that lies ahead.
Prayer for the Day
Fearful for our future, we come to you, Fount of Wisdom, For guidance and hope for the days ahead; Not knowing who or what to believe, we turn to you, Holy One, For we hear so many different things from a myriad of sources.
Enlighten our thinking enabling us to move beyond untruths, And being us into genuine community with each other. In the name of him who opens us to you, Even Christ Jesus our Lord Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
There is no illusion greater than fear.
-Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher, dates unknown
Fear lies to us. It keeps us locked behind closed doors. Whether the door are wooden ones or our hearts, fear locks us in and holds us captive.
- Mandi Hart, American writer of self-help books
Were not the Lord a help to me, I would have almost dwelled in the silent realm. When I thought my foot had stumbled, your kindness, Lord, sustained me, When my many cares within me, your consolations delighted me.
Psalm 94: 17-19 (Robert Alter translation)