We are all wondering when we can expect to hear good news coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. This morning, thinking of its effects upon Decatur, my thoughts turned to the families of two of my elderly neighbors who had been living in locked-down nursing homes. Ms. Sue Weaver and Ms. Glenda Comans both passed away within the past week (of causes unrelated to the virus). We both mourn their going but rejoice in their relief from the sufferings of age and sickness. We all agree that one of the worst experiences of our present situation is that of families unable to gather to grieve together, honor their loved ones, and comfort each other. While talking with Charlotte Griffin, one of Ms. Comans’ daughters, of how these ladies are now able to give and receive hugs with loved ones up there, she commented to me, “There is no social distancing in Heaven!”
Also, most of us know of young people who have chosen to just get married, without fanfare, hoping to have a celebration later on. Currently, other celebratory events, birthday parties, graduations, sporting events, are gone from our culture, leaving all of us asking, “When will it all get back to normal?” Another concerning situation is that of precedents having been set when government has shut down citizens’ constitutional rights, for the sake of the “common good.”
I spoke with a few leaders in our area, hoping for information that would be reliable, other than just rumor or social media. Mr. Robbie Richardson, the Emergency Management Director for Newton County, told me, when I asked how we are doing in our area, “It’s hard to tell. Right now, we’re still on the upswing of it. I see more cases coming. On April 16, our county had 16 cases, and today, there are 121 cases.” He told me there had been no Newton County deaths reported as a result of the Covid-19 virus. Also, another good thing is that there have been no nursing homes in our county with cases of the virus.
Our Decatur Police Chief, Mr. Clay Garvin, told me that there has not been much change in Decatur from the virus. He reported, “Crimes against property and people have picked up a little bit. I guess it’s because of people being at home.” The police are still riding around on patrol, conducting traffic stops and investigations, with one result being a large seizure two weeks ago of drugs and money, with a felon being jailed.
Our fire chief, Mr. Raymond Overstreet, referred me to Mr. Austin Cunningham, the Decatur Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief, for his information. He was helpful, even giving clarification concerning the wearing of masks, saying, “You are 95% safer from droplets if both you and the other person are wearing masks, over the nose and the mouth.” One way the virus has affected his own family is that, instead of his son Devin going to Basic Training for the military this summer, he is scheduled to go next summer.
Everyone is concerned about what is going to happen concerning the schools. Our Newton County School Superintendent, Mr. J. O. Amis, told me they are working on a plan for distance learning for the summer and for summer school options for children whose parents want their children to participate. (The summer school option is there every year.) They must submit their plan to the Mississippi Department of Education by May 15th. He said, “Education must go on. We are trying to plan the way we can best serve our kids.”
Someone had also suggested I get opinions from children and young people for this article. When asked what he thought about the corona virus mess, my five-year-old grandson Asher Glennon answered readily, saying, “It’s created by the devil.” I asked, “How has it affected you?” Asher responded, “It has kept me from going to school. I don’t like not seeing my friends and playing games at school. I can’t go to Sky Zone [a trampoline place]. And I can’t go to Chick-fil-A or McDonald’s play places.”
My ten-year-old granddaughter Anna Boudreaux answered that the virus had not really affected her much, “Just that I’m not going to school.” She replied that she misses her friends. I asked, “What have you enjoyed most about being home?” to which she answered, “X-Box and Bella, my brother’s puppy.” Anna believes, “It’s blown way out of proportion. They’re counting other deaths as Covid-caused, because they get more money.”
Anna’s brother Jonathan Boudreaux, a student at Mississippi State University, lamented about having to go to online school, adding, “I can’t go back to my job working for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. They’re not using summer workers now because of the corona virus.” He continued, “It’s stupid. A political power struggle…It’s not economically viable to keep the economy shut down.”
As far as teachers go, I know for a fact that they are working hard, communicating with parents and sending work to the kids. “The frustrating part,” one teacher told me, “is that we are not able to be with them to help them with their work. We can provide help, but it’s all long distance. It’s just harder not being face to face.”
I believe everyone is familiar with what the churches are doing, as they seem to be making the most of Facebook or Zoom, sending mailouts of newsletters, prayer request lists, encouragements, and phone calls to parishioners. The new pastor of Sand Springs Baptist Church, Rev. Ben Harper, told me, “All our services are online. The church is really doing a vibrant ministry, reaching out, ministering to each other and delivering food.”
Rev. Mark Vincent, Pastor of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church reported, “We’ve kind of hit the reset button. We’re starting to see things that are important and things that are not. Things that you don’t miss, and things you do miss.” He continued, “While I’m as concerned as anyone about government overreach, we’ll follow what the government tells us to do, as that is what the Bible says to do.” Most of the adult Sunday School classes are still meeting on Facebook live or on Zoom. Bro. Mark told me that many have reported receiving salvation from watching the services.
I have read reports of a great increase in the number of people “tuning in” to church services of all kinds online, causing pastors and leaders to speak to thousands more than would have come to the church building. Let us pray that, in the days to come, when the church doors are again open, that there will be many more coming to join in the congregations of those who are worshiping, watching, and praying, “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) And, yes, there is “light at the end of the tunnel.” Jesus Christ in His Second Coming will be “as the lightning that comes out of the east and shines unto the west.” (Matthew 24:27)
Live for Jesus! He’s coming soon!
You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
