I don't know if this is real, or if I'm imagining it. But it seems to me that there is some kind of social stigma attached to becoming infected with COVID-19. Have you noticed it? It's not like saying, "She has the flu." It's spoken in hushed tones, if it's divulged at all. I wonder why.
I appreciate those who have been open about having the virus, especially celebrities who have shared their experiences with us. That helps to normalize it for the rest of us. It's an illness any of us can get. There's no shame in it.
Unfortunately, there are illnesses that we have attached shame to, such as HIV/AIDS. The assumption is that the illness was contracted as a result of a person's actions. Of course, this isn't necessarily true, but it is the unspoken assumption people have. Then, there are also illnesses that people assume the afflicted person can control if they have a mind to, like alcoholism or depression. Again, it's a false assumption, but one that many people hold.
People are reluctant to publicly reveal that they have illnesses like HIV, or depression because they don't want to be judged. The way I know this, as a pastor, is that rarely would a person suffering from an illness like this want me to share it with the congregation on a Sunday morning. "Sally is in the hospital with pneumonia." Okay. "Bill is in rehab for alcoholism." Not so much. In most cases, Bill won't want to be included in the prayers, even without explanation, because he won't want people to be asking him what's wrong, or even worse, gossiping about him.
What I'm noticing is that COVID-19 has become one of those illnesses we're hesitant to name publicly. And I can't figure out why. I wonder if it's related to listening to those numbers that are reported on the news. "Today, one case of the coronavirus was reported in Adams County." How does it feel to hear this if that one reported case is for someone you love? And why would you want to publicly identify them?
Perhaps, in time, this will pass. But in the meanwhile, it only adds to the isolation of those who are struggling. This is true not only for those who suffer from COVID-19, but also for those who suffer from any illness that has a social stigma attached. To be judged for an illness may be the worst judgment of all. The illness is enough of a burden without adding to it the burden of being judged by others. Jesus had a special place in his heart for such people and made it his business to remove both burdens.
I appreciate those who have been open about having the virus, especially celebrities who have shared their experiences with us. That helps to normalize it for the rest of us. It's an illness any of us can get. There's no shame in it.
Unfortunately, there are illnesses that we have attached shame to, such as HIV/AIDS. The assumption is that the illness was contracted as a result of a person's actions. Of course, this isn't necessarily true, but it is the unspoken assumption people have. Then, there are also illnesses that people assume the afflicted person can control if they have a mind to, like alcoholism or depression. Again, it's a false assumption, but one that many people hold.
People are reluctant to publicly reveal that they have illnesses like HIV, or depression because they don't want to be judged. The way I know this, as a pastor, is that rarely would a person suffering from an illness like this want me to share it with the congregation on a Sunday morning. "Sally is in the hospital with pneumonia." Okay. "Bill is in rehab for alcoholism." Not so much. In most cases, Bill won't want to be included in the prayers, even without explanation, because he won't want people to be asking him what's wrong, or even worse, gossiping about him.
What I'm noticing is that COVID-19 has become one of those illnesses we're hesitant to name publicly. And I can't figure out why. I wonder if it's related to listening to those numbers that are reported on the news. "Today, one case of the coronavirus was reported in Adams County." How does it feel to hear this if that one reported case is for someone you love? And why would you want to publicly identify them?
Perhaps, in time, this will pass. But in the meanwhile, it only adds to the isolation of those who are struggling. This is true not only for those who suffer from COVID-19, but also for those who suffer from any illness that has a social stigma attached. To be judged for an illness may be the worst judgment of all. The illness is enough of a burden without adding to it the burden of being judged by others. Jesus had a special place in his heart for such people and made it his business to remove both burdens.
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments are moderated.