Freemasonry
on the Doorstep
An
Individual Freemasons response to the Covid-19 Pandemic
By
Tom Hendrickson-P.G.M.
In the past few months, we have watched the deadly
Coronavirus sweep across the world, and ferociously spread across the United
States. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a type of national emergency that has
severely disrupted society and our daily lives, in ways that we have never
experienced before. Most of the state governors have imposed drastic measures
ordering their residents to remain in their homes and to practice social distancing
to slow the spread of this deadly virus.
Our country has experienced many crises in the past.
There were wars, acts of terrorism, hurricanes, flooding and many other natural
disasters. In those emergencies, we as the public were called to action, but
this time is different. This can be life or death for many individuals, it has
affected all Americans in multiple ways and the crisis came with inadequate
warnings about the magnitude, both for health of the nation and the economy. This
national emergency is different as we have been told to go home, wait or work in
isolation along with totally and dramatically changing the way we normally live
our lives.
Social distancing started out with avoiding physical
contact and staying at least six feet away from other people to lessen our
chances of catching COVID-19. Then it quickly expanded to the prohibition of
people gathering in groups. In particular, this kept us from our Masonic
activities. It also meant not attending our houses of worship, concerts, sporting
events or even participating in a pickup game of basketball. Schools, colleges
and universities closed and shifted to online learning. Any business deemed
non-essential locked their doors. Some employees were sent home with equipment
to work from home while others have been layed off or furloughed. Those
employees that have confidence in their jobs have no idea when they might
return, but some others have no confidence in returning to their jobs ever
again. Self employed individuals wonder
how to pay the bills and if life will ever be what we knew as “normal” ever
again.
In just a few weeks COVID-19 dramatically changed our
lives. We are all struggling with our own anxieties and uncertainties about our
lives and COVID-19. Listening to my Brothers, friends and family members I
think I can say we all share some of the same anxieties. We all fear catching COVID-19,
or that our family members will get sick. We are worried about financial
hardship from being laid off from our jobs, or will we have a job to return to?
We may have experienced loss from our retirement investments or college
savings? How long will my savings last and how can I pay the bills? If older or
have health issues, if I catch COVID-19 will it kill me? With no promise of
when the situation will be over the uncertainty is starting to influence our
mental health. Our fears coupled with uncertainty leave some terrified by the
unknown risks.
Shelter in place, social distancing, social isolation
or the term lock down have new relevance to our daily lives, and depending on
your perspective, may be easier for some to cope with than for others.
Shelter in place or locked down may be different for
someone else, but to me they mean the same thing.
Social Isolation or Locked Down is a term depending on
your perspective but means the same thing.
We were ordered to stay in our homes except for buying
food, seeking medical attention, pick up prescriptions or for other types of
essential services. Health authorities have issued guidelines for people who
have serious underlining health conditions that might be at much greater risk
for severe illness or death from the COVID-19.
In a very short period of time living day to day became
more complex and certainly add to the sense of fear surrounding the Coronavirus.
We were only allowed to leave the house for the essential needs. Getting coffee,
eating out, visiting the gym, going to the barbershop, watching a movie and
even seeing our doctors and dentists become impossible.
Suddenly wearing a mask and rubber gloves become a
daily essential and almost routine. When
we go to the grocery store, we are met with long lines, and empty shelves. On
one of my trips to the store I could see the anxiety in a woman’s eyes and hear
the despair in her voice as she was talking to her husband. “No toilet paper,
no hand sanitizer, no bleach, no chicken…now what?”
There were and are some people who cannot leave their
homes because they have underlying health conditions and it is too dangerous to
risk getting exposed to the virus. Even the Minnesota is “opening up” and
relaxing some restrictions, those individuals still have to be careful as the
danger has not passed. There are those with mobility problems that have had to
change their daily routines. These groups
of people have the added worries of if they will have enough food to eat, and
what are they going to do when their medications run out. Where do they turn
for help to obtain the necessities of life for weeks or months? Many have lost
their spouse and have been living alone for some time. The few friends that
they do have left are in the same situation that they are in or are living in a
care facility which is, as has been shown in the death rates, its own difficult
situation.
Lock down is a term often used by state and federal
prisons and also by a young mother who lives in my city and resides in an
exceedingly small apartment with two young children. She recently has been laid
off and lost her access to daycare. She takes her kids outside for one hour a
day for fresh air and exercise or sometimes longer on a nice day. “Just like
the prisoners in the supermax” she told me and laughed. She used to go grocery
shopping with the kids but now given the virus, she does not dare expose them
nor do stores want extra individuals in the stores. She really needs someone to
pick up a few things at the grocery store or to watch her children for a short
time so she can make the trip.
I have been very lucky that having to shelter in place
has not been a hardship and I have enjoyed it. While I share the anxieties of many
individuals, my family has been very fortunate too.
Shelter in Place
My wife has been very blessed to be able to work from
home. Her daily commute is from the bedroom to the office saving several hours
a day of typical commute time. She has been able to stay focused and connected
and still manages to squeeze in laundry between conference calls.
My daughter and grandson have been staying with my
wife and I, and it has allowed us all to connect more and have great talks. My
daughter is a working Mother, and this has allowed her slow down her pace and
focus on work and school. She gets a break while I play with my grandson.
Our normally quiet but spacious home has become, an
office, a three-star restaurant (my opinion as I do the cooking), a pre-school,
and a gym but most important it is filled with laughter.
However, for those coping with anxiety or depression,
being thrusted into social isolation can be particularly destabilizing. They
have developed normal schedules and routines that help them to successfully and
effectively live their lives with meaning and purpose. Going to work, meeting
with friends for coffee, going to the gym, participating in a Yoga class, or attending
a book club meeting, all of these options, almost overnight. ceased to exist
because of the Coronavirus.
With the problems and benefits I have observed during
this period of social isolation, I saw that we as human beings have a strong
urge or essential need for social connections. We crave social contact as we
sometimes crave food. This is true for all individuals but, I believe, was made
more acute by the threat of COVId-19.
For me, Freemasonry means the masonic ritual is not
just a ceremony but a teaching to be lived. Freemasonry becomes a way of life.
If I did not act or do something, I would not be practicing the oath that I
took. My entire work life I had to
create solutions to urgent problems and to act quickly. For me to be able to
remove those anxieties and fears was a piece of cake,
I had developed a list of Widows, Brothers, and
friends that I call every few days and to see how they are doing. Many of them
live alone and their grown children are living several states away and daily
life can be lonely for them. I would ask them for a list of groceries they
needed, and if there was any anything to be picked up at the pharmacy. I would
bring the needed items to their home and place them on their doorstep. I would
ring the doorbell, and step back up to allow for social distancing. Everyone
was eager for a conversation. I did learn to bring a lawn chair, for some of
those talks could last awhile.
The time we are living can be filled with much uncertainty
and we should protect and take care of ourselves and our loved ones. But if you could find a way in your heart to
spend a little time on a simple act of kindness for a lodge brother, a widow,
or a neighbor, you will find yourself among many others who have found that we
can change the world for the better one act at a time.
Freemasonry is my way of life, and I found another
place to live my Obligation
