Social Distancing vs. Social Isolation
By George “Chip” Hammond
In the mystery of the Godhead, God lives in eternal community. There was never a time when Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were not One God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. Understanding that God lives eternally in community, that God was never alone or “lonely,” helps us to understand what it means for humankind to be created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27).
We were created for community. “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27). “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Gen 2:18). Sin drives a wedge into community. Before sin entered the world, “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame” (Gen 2:25). Sin against God not only brought disruption of community with God (Gen 3:8), but with each other: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (Gen 3:7).
We were made for community and we cannot flourish without it. We become intensely aware of it when we are afraid. Fear naturally causes us to seek out community. Children want the protecting embrace of a parent. Adults do as well, or of a spouse, a grown child, or a close friend.
As I write this, a national state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States around the emergence of the Covid-19 virus. The video and pictures coming out of Italy and the warnings to us by Italian doctors and statesmen have indeed been sobering. “The prudent see danger and hide themselves, but the foolish keep going and pay the penalty” (Prov 22:3). So, we are trying to “hide ourselves” from this virus, and every person needs to play a part, not only out of care for ourselves but out of love for neighbor. The doctors tell us the best way of slowing the spread of the disease is to wash our hands, don’t touch our faces, clean surfaces, cover our cough or sneeze, if sick stay home, and practice “Social Distancing.”
“Social Distancing” is simply the practice of limiting contact with other people. At its most basic level, it means not shaking hands. Don’t attend gatherings over a certain size (as of now, the size most often cited is 250). School districts across the region have closed. People are staying in and avoiding contact with crowds (except, ironically, to
swarm Costco to hoard everything in sight). It’s a proven practice. In the flu pandemic of 1918, the number of deaths per population in Philadelphia soared because they did not take the pandemic seriously and did nothing (sadly, much like Italy with Covid-19) – they kept going and paid the penalty. By contrast, St. Louis saw danger coming and hid themselves. The number of deaths per population were extremely low.
Life in a fallen world is hard. In the uncertain and frightening situation that we’re in we acutely need community. But in a situation like this, community can be dangerous. For the most vulnerable of us – those who are elderly, those with compromised immune systems, those with underlying cardio-pulmonary conditions – those who need community most of all – for them, community can kill.
We need to avoid extremes. We don’t want to be the fools who just keep going about our business and pay the penalty. On the other hand, we don’t want to “hide ourselves” in such a way as to cut all community.
It is important for us to realize that “Social Distancing” is the not the same as “Social Isolation.” “Social Distancing” does not require most of us to be cloistered in our homes. It does require us to maintain about six feet from each other.
At this very frightening time people need each other, and not just "virtually," but really. And herein lies the problem because human contact is the vector for the spread. The older, the sicker, the more vulnerable, the more lonely the person, the more he or she needs community, but he or she is at greatest risk.
During this time, let’s be careful not to let "Social Distancing" become "Social Isolation." Call your older friends and neighbors. As the weather warms, arrange to visit them in person, but through a screen door while you keep back at least six feet. Tell them they can even bring a chair over and have a seat while you visit. You can bring a folding chair for yourself. See if they need anything that you can provide for them while you’re there.
Created in God’s image, we were made for community. For those who because of age or condition cannot go out very much during this international health emergency, let them know that they are not alone.
Don't let "Social Distancing" become "Social Isolation."
