President Trump spoke yesterday, outlining a plan of defense against the coronavirus. Then, today, his presumed opponent in the presidential race, Joe Biden, offered his thoughts and suggestions.
Then, the people spoke. Well, they've been speaking through both of these two days. And, their voice offers more action, resolve, and direction than that of the two candidates. Sporting events -- from the NBA to Major League Baseball to most everything else -- came to a crashing halt. No government order required to bring this about. The sporting world did it on its own. Disneyland and Disney World announced closurers. Businesses announced work-at-home efforts. Churches called off their meetings.
And, perhaps most telling, the rush to the stores, the long lines Thursday evening. Panic buying, you will call it, but if this is people preparing to stay in their homes and hunker down, it is an effort that could make the most difference.
Preparing to self-quarantine? It isn't the government telling us to do this. Oh, the fear of the government shutting everything down might have prompted the rush to the stores. Still, it is a people preparing to isolate from each other, preparing for what is wise if we are to prevent the spread of the disease.
I do not take a harsh eye to the panic. Scoff at it and decry it, if you will. I see wisdom and benefit in it. What some call panic, can also be viewed as preparation.
NOTE ADDED THE NIGHT OF 3/13-3/14/20: I believe I may have been too generous in my hope. It is wonderful if all the shoppers hit the stores because are wanting to hunker down, and stay in their homes more, and ride this out. I guess on reflection, though, I wonder if this is what was happening. Perhaps they rampaged the stores simply in anticipation the stores shelves could empty. If so, their buying was a panic.
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