“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving…” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself. These two commands are the most important.” – Mark 12:31

Do The Right Thing!

Here we go, friends, I’m wading into the pool of opinion when it comes to masks, distancing, and such!

First, this photo is me (this morning) taking my second COVID-19 test in as many weeks. Y’all already know it’s one of my least favorite things to do.

But you know what? It was the right thing to do. This should be our standard when it comes to public conduct. Not: “It’s all about me, what counts is my individual freedom, liberty means my personal convenience/preference/comfort…” But: “I am a grateful member of this amazing free society, and I will do everything in my power to contribute to the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of everyone.”

So here’s how it went down:

• Last week I was with some people (screened, temperatures taken, masked, and appropriately distanced). We were outside.
• This Wednesday evening I get an email saying someone who was there “may have been” positive at the time (they tested positive days later and are still asymptomatic) and I “may have been” exposed.
• I immediately contacted everyone who I had spent any time with in the past few days.
• Then, first thing Thursday morning, I got tested for COVID-19.
• I will now keep a low profile until my results come in.

This is simple. I believe that – because we all behaved cautiously and appropriately at the event in question – nobody there became infected. But, until we know that for sure, then we act now!

Immediate transparency, plus immediate action, plus immediate increased caution, all adds up to immediate “STOP!” when it comes to potential spread.

What do do?

Wash your hands; wear a mask; maintain appropriate distance; refrain from acting recklessly or selfishly; act quickly; be transparent. This is not a hard ask or a heavy lift.

I am all for gathering together and being in public and being together… so long as we behave selflessly and carefully. Three things are true:

1. The very people who flout caution in the name of moving forward are in effect holding us all back and killing the economy before it has a chance to gain traction.
2. The people who practice appropriate caution are actually helping to restart the economy while saving lives.
3. The people who promote recklessness are not only killing the recovery, they are killing Americans.

Done. Derek.