Things To Consider While On Lock Down

  • Thursday, April 2, 2020

I would like to start by saying thank you to our medical professionals, you are in our prayers. Fighting this would not be possible without each one of you. May God comfort you and give you strength.

Some of the things to consider during our time at home now that we are going on a "total lock down".

When we see and hear the horrible things that this virus is doing, it is almost impossible is to see some of the more positives.

Kids playing outside, not to mention they are accompanied by their parents, which means families are spending time together.

Bars, and nightclubs are closed. 

Kids are being taught at home, and parents are involved in their kids' education.

Grocery stores closing at decent hours. 

People are practicing better hygiene. Not to mention that many are adopting better eating habits.

People aren't having physical contact with those they do not know. 

As an avid hiker, I have noticed more families on the trails lately, which I have to admit was not very welcomed at first, a fellow hiker will understand the fear of trails being overcrowded, but trails belong to all of us as long as we respect them.

When we do get back to some normalcy and if many continue to take to the trails, then grab a bag as you head out, and teach the young ones the importance of caring for our trails, waterways, and wildlife, and please do your part in picking up the trash along the way. 

Nature alwasy takes care of us. God, love and nature is all that I know to be real.

I pray that we all let go of the bad habits and continue the good ones.

I am sure some will find this as being judgmental, and or criticizing or both, but that is not my intentions, and the majority know that.  I wish that we were doing these things under better circumstances, sadly that is not the reality of it. 

For the companies that are not essential businesses, that have chosen to keep their doors open while so many other local companies have been forced to close their doors, can we just not expect some to not do the right thing when given a choice?

Many businesses are trying to find reasons to keep their doors open, and I want to know that law enforcement is not only looking for those traveling on our roadways that violate the stay at home order, and that they are also going to be fining the companies that remain open, that are not essential. 

Chattanoogans are expecting you to step up and do the right thing. 

With all the exemptions on which businesses are considered essential, I am surprised that any are closed.

When it comes right down to it, food, water, shelter, air, and sleep are the essentials to life. 

We are fully aware of the hit that the economy will take, but if we do not take the necessary steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and if it takes as many lives as they are predicting then we have to all do our part where we can and we have to do it now, we all should keep in mind that Tennessee has not hit the peak of this.

The deaths and confirmed COVID-19 cases will continue to rise every day, we will get the new numbers. 

This virus does not care what your family name is, or how much money you have in your bank account, or what you do for a living, we are all under attack and not one of us is safe..

Think about all the cases that are out there that did not require medical attention. Those numbers are not added to the confirmed cases. Because they are not medically confirmed, but does that mean though that they simply do not exist, and that it is spreading, we do not know who will be added the long list of confirmed cases, and we should be thinking about that the severity of the symptoms differ from person to person.

We have to do what our state and local officials tell us to do, and even then go ahead and plan now. Overthinking it is fine, if it makes us act now in doing what needs to be done to help save lives. 

Making a wish, and being superstitious, or consulting a psychic will not save any of us. 

Some believe that we get sick simply because of evolution.  What the bible says is that we get sick as a result of the first human rebellion against God, and we are causing our own destruction.

A shrewd one considers his steps. A shrewd person is practical and clever, sound in judgement and sharp in perception, judicious and prudent, discerning and wise. Their is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 

Please stay safe, and please do not panic.  Stay in tune with your emotions, and retreat to a safe room in your home if you feel overwhelmed, the best thing I can say is to pray.

As I pray for my family, I am praying for yours. We can do this by doing our part. 

God bless you and keep you safe and well.

Tonya R. McBryar

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