Distancing

There is much talk about distancing these days. We call it “social distancing”, but as one friend pointed out yesterday in a Zoom conversation, it is really more about physical distancing, than social distancing. Social media is alive and well and many people are connecting socially in ways they never have before.

I find myself in that category. I am constantly busy emailing, texting, messaging, face timing, phoning and yes, zooming, to connect and check in with people. A few years ago most of these words to describe communication didn’t even exist! They are proving to be fast and efficient ways to connect and check in with people and a wonderful resource at this time of physical distancing. Technology can be a handy thing in times like this. At the same time, I have become very aware of those folks who do not access communication in this way, people who don’t have computers or reliable internet service, people accustomed to verbal conversation. These days are very isolating for them because for them it is both physical distancing and social distancing.

I wonder if, once this is over, we will ever take for granted a handshake or a hug, a whisper in our ear, or a hand on our shoulder? I wonder if we will complain when we have to stand in a crowded room, or join a long lineup? Or, will we think back to these days when we have to stay in our own home away from everyone else? I wonder if we will take for granted a trip to the store and a chat with the clerk, a stop to get a haircut, or a visit to a friend in the hospital? I wonder if we will remember those who are lonely when we no longer are lonely? I wonder if we will think about families who are struggling with the same charitable feelings that we have for them during this crisis? I wonder if we will see travel for the true privilege that it is? Will we stand with compassion beside those who have lost their businesses and livelihoods? Will we reach out in kindness to those families whose dysfunction has overwhelmed them? There is much to wonder about.

Distancing, social or otherwise, is a catch phrase these days but will we learn to be better people because of it? Well, like the projection of the impact of this virus, that remains to be seen. Let’s hope we can all dig deep and learn something through our distancing.