The Greek philosopher, Epictetus, said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.” He was raised in Rome so he benefits from two philosophic disciplines. Interesting fellow.

Now since everything that we deal with and talk about lately is the Coronavirus aka., CoVid 19, even Greek philosophers have to get in on the action.

Let’s first agree that there are degrees to this whole thing and different people and places are touched in different ways and to different intensities and we wish speedy recovery for those actually touched by this scourge. By now most of us know someone touched and it is heart-wrenching. We pray for them very hard and clear.

It is, however, our reaction, on several levels, that matters.

There is the front line of the health professionals. Almost everyone knows one and we pray for them. Right behind them are the cleaning professionals that scour and scrub and wash and sanitize and disinfect and sweep and mop and wipe. You try that for a living! There are those that manufacture and deliver and feed. And then, there is us. Most of us have been asked to stay home. Yeah the money is tight and future is scary but do you know what my Dad did in 1942 when asked to fight an enemy? He went to North Africa and Italy and he was there, “for the duration.” That meant he was in that war until we won or until we lost. There was no option. My father in law was 18 and went to the South Pacific with the 6th Marine Raider Division. They both came back changed.

We are in this for the duration also and there is no option. We must do our part. Be brave for our children and grand-children and parents and neighbors that need our help. For our co-workers who may need help. Even for our employers who are trying to stay in business so we can re-open again and get to work. It is how we react. Will we selfishly think that we can go out, we can break the guidelines, requests, directions and orders because we are special or can we get in line and take one for the team.

I am not a fan of big government and I take these edicts seriously, from a Constitutional point of view, but there are times, and this is one of those times to be sure, that we must engage for the public health right now, before it gets worse.

It is how we react that matters.

We will win. There is no doubt. There is no option.