WS Chronicle

By Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Optimistically, after the coronavirus started in the United States of America, April 13 was the date given whereby we would get back to normal. The White House at the time downplayed COVID-19 and thus gave us hope of a quick recovery. However, medical experts and even some of us thought otherwise.

In retrospect, was this date ever realistic? There were some school systems that used it as a return date as well. If you get COVID-19 from being around people, how could schools reconvene so soon? Maybe by saying April 13, it would give the business community hope of reopening. And it could have been used as a temporary boost to the stock market. As we see now, it was false hope and unrealistic.

Now, April 30 is the new deadline. We should stay at home and continue to practice all protocols. I think this new timeline will give us a light at the end of the tunnel. However, I would not be totally surprised if we had another deadline that extended into the middle or end of May.

Some of us have hard heads when it comes to this new deadline. We are still gathering in large groups without considering the deadly consequences. We think we are immune from dying. Wrong.

That type of behavior is outrageous and the police are making arrests, as they should. Let us encourage our fellow citizens to follow the rules and to adhere to the law.

The concept of social distancing is becoming a way of life for us. Now there are some songs about social distancing. One of them has really resonated with me. The artist is Kevon Carter and the title of the song is simply “Social Distancing.” He sings: “Social distancing, six feet away. If you see me at the store, just wave at me.” Check it out. You will be glad you did.

In addition to social distancing, many people have started to wear masks and gloves to shop and to get gas. These tools work, so if you are in the position to get them, then do so.

There are pro-athletes who are sponsoring food and protective gear drives. Stephon Marbury, former Knicks basketball player now living and coaching in China, recently donated 10 million masks to New York City. Marbury said, “I’ve lost loved ones to this invisible monster. I have a cousin who died yesterday.” Other pro-athletes like Demario Davis, Drew Brees and JJ Redick have also contributed their resources to help fight this disease.

American life as we know it has changed. There are fewer people on the streets and on the roads. Malls have closed and restaurants only have take-out service. Grocery stores and drug stores are still open, albeit with limited hours. Walmart and Target are now limiting the number of people who can go into their stores at one time.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is now recommending that we wear masks and gloves when we are in the public square. We are living in unprecedented times. The coronavirus will be a topic of conversation for years to come.

At this very second, we need prayer. We need city leaders to announce a day or days of prayer so that we can pray together at the same time. We need states to do the same. Faith leaders need to coordinate these efforts with the appropriate people at each level. America needs a national day or days of prayer. Let us make this happen.

When prayers go up, blessings come down. We need a blessing right now.

James B. Ewers Jr., Ed.D., is a former tennis champion at Atkins High School and played college tennis at Johnson C. Smith University where he was all-conference for four years. He is a retired college administrator and can be reached at ewers.jr56@yahoo.com.