It is a beautiful day in Carbondale and we are all a bit lonely. We are going on 6 months into our 2020 pandemic. We began strong…we thought that our health crisis would be over in a short while. We experienced a stay at home order and social distancing and extended hand washing…and the safari for toilet tissue… We had Covid-19 fatigue and it was not yet summer… Now we are entering the new School season…and we are scared! The virus infection rate is worse now, in my neck of the woods, than when we first began. Many of our businesses have first closed only to reopen and subsequently be forced to close again. We need to see each other as family…we need to redefine ourselves and our role in helping each other through this unprecedented experience for our lifetimes!
I was moved when I watched a local news program regarding one of my fellow Presbyterians, Lance Forsberg a second grade teacher at Thomas Elementary School in Carbondale, who built work stations for his students that will facilitate them maintaining social distancing. In a television interview he spoke of his joy in building the work stations and the thoughts that he was aiding in keeping ‘his kids’ safe.
Our church board met earlier this week and pastor Kerry spoke of beginning to write another play for our congregation to participate in. I so enjoyed the first play that he wrote not long after becoming our pastor. It was an awe inspiring vehicle in bringing our congregation together in light and love and laughter! He is writing it to perform on Zoom. I believe that he will make it work seamlessly and it will be an encouragement and a beacon of hope.
Countless nurses and doctors are working non-stop to save the lives of those who have contracted the Coronavirus. When our grandfathers and grandmothers…and our mothers and fathers…and our sons and daughters are sick and lonely for their family to comfort them…they look into the compassionate eyes of these masked heroes!
When I was a lad I enjoyed watching the TV show, The Lone Ranger, where the masked man, portrayed by Clayton Moore, and his partner, Tonto who was acted by Jay Silverheels, fought the bad guys and helped the needy. Often when things looked the bleakest the duo would find a way to avenge those in distress and make right what had been wrong. As the Lone Ranger rode off into the sunset someone would often ask, ‘who was that masked man?’
‘The show was a huge hit–the biggest show on ABC, the last place network. Moore and Silverheels took their place as role models seriously and often cited the Ranger’s creed, which included: To have a friend, a man must be one; all men are created equal; and everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world. ‘God put the firewood there, but that everyman must gather it and light it himself, a man should make the most of what equipment he has, that this government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ shall live always…’ Andy Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter
Masks are not so bad once you become accustomed to them. Some countries have been wearing face masks as a matter of course for many years in order to prevent the transmission of communicable disease. I heard a true story of two hairdressers who had tested positive for Covid-19 but who had faithfully worn their masks. When contact tracing was done it was found that none of their patrons had contracted the Coronavirus…but that their husbands and children had. Until a vaccine is manufactured…masks and social distancing are the best that we have!
When the wearing of seat belts law first came into effect…I did not like it. I thought that it was an infringement on my personal liberties. But I became accustomed to it as I saw the benefit of it and the saving of lives that resulted from it. I understand a rebel. I am a bit of a rebel and a skeptic and a doubter of the official party line. I know what it is to wonder about the motives of leaders…and whether or not there is a hidden agenda. But the wearing of masks are a good thing and a safeguard against catching a disease that can take your life.
I was heartened to see all of the Grounds workers manicuring our lovely campus and preparing it for the beginning of the fall semester. Indeed this is the beginning of an academic year like none of us have ever seen! Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale affords a cornucopia of opportunity…even in the midst of our 2020 pandemic! 
Some politicians have said that it is better to allow the elderly to die in order to preserve our way of life…how is that working out for you? 
I discovered at the beginning of my career at SIUC that my leadership of the Building Services department would be based on one principle…treat everyone like I wanted to be treated and the work product would take care of itself! 
The Jazz Man 