—A Chinese Proverb.

Every cloud, they say, has a silver lining.

So, where is the silver lining in this dark specter of the coronavirus pandemic that’s straddling the world with so much human devastation? Since we’re all in this together, its obvious we have to pull together to overcome it. We’re doing this in so many ways by following the guidelines of the health authorities in washing our hands frequently, staying at home, avoiding unnecessary travel, and engaging in “social distancing” to limit the spread of the disease.

Social distancing is well and good to limit the spread of the virus, but it does not address the personal, human needs of individuals which tend to be ignored during a crisis like this. Social distancing is one thing and serves a good purpose in this crisis. But social isolation is another matter. No one should be alone. As Scripture says, “two are better than one for when one falls, the other can hold him up” ( Ecclesiastes 4 : 10 ). People need people, and people were never in need of the help and support of one another more than they are now.

A movement just began in Toronto, Canada, called ‘caremongering’ as a way of helping people during this crisis. It has spread all over the country of Canada and has garnered more than 30,000 members, in a few weeks, to help others within their communities, particularly those who are more at risk of health complications related to the virus.

This movement engages in simple acts of kindness to support one another such as providing a single mother with baby food for her child, offering cooked meals for those unable to cook, shopping for an elderly person, and giving grocery store, gift-cards to people laid off from work. These are real examples of lighting a candle to dispel the darkness. Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope can overcome people at a time like this, but when neighbors reach out to each other in caring and tangible ways, it shows that hope is alive and well.

Many neighborhoods in the U. S. have a neighborhood watch to look out for the needs of the community. This is a good time to put this service to work during this pandemic to help the more vulnerable in our midst, by inviting them to have meals in our homes or helping them with their personal needs.

Floridians have a long tradition of hunkering down and supporting one another during hurricanes. During every hurricane, we are advised to come together in our homes to provide support, comfort and cheer while the hurricane lasts. We need to adopt this same, tried approach, but for a longer period of time, while this pandemic lasts. This pandemic, like all other pandemics before it, will surely pass.

For the time being, we are in this together for the long haul, and together, with God’s help, we can help one another get through it.

You can do your part to help others get through this pandemic.

Why not start now by sharing this message with those near and dear to you in your own community and abroad?

— Hugh Duffy