A United Methodist Insight Column
So how’s your day going? If you’re anything like millions of people caught in a coronavirus pandemic stay-at-home order, you’re exhausted and you’re not sure why (except that you’re probably not sleeping well, either). Well, give up the guilt of the old Protestant work ethic, because you’re not committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins (sloth).
No, the exhaustion and fogginess we’re all feeling comes from what’s called “allostatic load.” In neurological terms, our brains are overloaded from isolation and threats we can’t control, according to an article on the VICE website. We humans are social animals and we don’t like being alone, especially when we don’t know how long the isolation will last (another factor causing fatigue) or how to prepare for any threats (the “flight, fight or freeze” reaction).
Psychologists say that the treatment for allostatic load is to try to create some structure for yourself with regular habits including healthy eating, exercise, and a regular sleep pattern. To that I’d add daily prayer, especially if you can join an online group to pray together.
If you’ve 20 minutes to spare, you can participate in an online survey about responses to coronavirus isolation for a study under way now by the University of British Columbia, “Coping with the COVID-19 Outbreak.”
When the isolation is over
Transform Prayer
Image courtesy of Red Letter Christians
The novel coronavirus pandemic not only has infected people, it also has exposed the derelictions of social and political systems that are the leading causes of poverty, hunger, and degradation around the world. Thoughtful United Methodists find this revelation seriously disturbing given that the official mission statement of The United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
This week that question of whether we’re really doing all we can to transform the world got a boost from Dr. Jim David, a psychotherapist in Silver Spring, Md. His identification on Red Letter Christians says that “he is an Ignatian Volunteer Corps volunteer with Creation Justice Ministries, an affiliate of the National Council of Churches.” Dr. David’s hobby is identifying “congruencies between the truths of psychology and theology,” according to his post. See the “Go and Do” artwork accompanying this column.
Not counted in coronavirus tolls
Two more disturbing news bits came across my desk about the true scope of the coronavirus epidemic in the United States.
From Columbia Journalism Review’s “The Media Today” newsletter: “Many state health departments are still excluding Native Americans from demographic data on the toll of the coronavirus, Rebecca Nagle reports for The Guardian. Their omission, Nagle writes, is ‘raising fears of hidden health emergencies in one of the country’s most vulnerable populations.’” I find this news especially disheartening, seeing as how we United Methodists just observed Native American Ministries Sunday on April 26.
Among the hardest-hit is the Navajo Nation that covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. The Rev. Tweedy Sombrero Navarette, currently pastor of Shepherd of the Valley UMC in Phoenix, Ariz., recommends that churches and individuals that want to help the Navajo specifically check out this article from Arizona: Ways to help the Navajo Nation during the coronavirus pandemic
The New York Times’ Morning Briefing reports: “The pandemic has now killed more than 200,000 people and sickened more than 2.9 million worldwide, according to data collected by The Times. The actual toll is probably much higher, as official tallies have undercounted deaths, largely because of limited testing.”
The only solution for this obstacle is more testing, which we’re told is ramping up slowly. The United States officially passed 55,000 deaths from COVID-19 over the April 25-26 weekend.
Media Mentions as of April 27, 2020
Church university in Angola to be used in COVID-19 fight – UM News
Pandemic threatening ministry with migrants – UM News
A pastor and a protester clashed over coronavirus restrictions. One was arrested – Los Angeles Times *
Many Georgia churches stay shut despite governor’s measure that allows in-person services – USA Today
Kansas governor, churches reach deal on COVID-19 lawsuit – The Associated Press
Dallas faith leaders: Freedom of religion is not absolute – The Dallas Morning News *
From pews to patients – churches have long served as hospitals, particularly in times of crisis – The Conversation
A preacher believed ‘God can heal anything.’ Then coronavirus killed him. – The Washington Post*
Social distancing could last months, White House coronavirus coordinator says – The Washington Post*
Some Helena churches resume in-person services after Bullock lifts COVID-19 restrictions – KPVI News 6
Outbreak Voices: A Retired Pastor Steps Outside To Comfort The Grieving – WUWM
Collaboration Can Help Eradicate COVID-19 – Inter Press Service
Church donations have plunged because of the coronavirus. Some churches won’t survive – The Washington Post*
Conservative group calls for ‘ReOpen Church Sunday’ – Religion News Service
Mississippi city revises limit on drive-up church amid virus – The Associated Press
Religions alter death and burial rituals in wake of coronavirus, causing mourners more heartbreak – USA Today
Some of the most visible Christians in America are failing the coronavirus case – The Atlantic*
* Paid subscription may be required to view.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. Share your coronavirus pandemic coping stories with us.