COVID-19 Five Years Later: Time to Move On

In this past week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisa, we read how the Israelites fashioned a golden calf while Moses was atop Mount Sinai. As Divine Retribution for their sin, the Israelites were to be punished with a plague, although it is unclear who and how many ultimately perished. Until the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, such biblical references to plague and pestilence did not seem relevant to me in our contemporary world.

Coincidentally, this weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. On Sunday, March 15, 2020, after the governor of my home state, Massachusetts, limited the size of in-person gatherings, my shul went virtual.  Like others across the globe, we remained isolated in our homes, relying on Zoom for social connection. Meanwhile, as millions fell ill and died from this new virus, we became consumed by anxiety, not knowing how we and our loved ones would be affected or how long this situation would remain.

In a recent New York Times article, “How Covid Remade America,” David Wallace-Wells makes the case how the pandemic destroyed our social fabric disrupting our lives, turning us into hyper-individualists socially isolated and glued to our screens, while impacting children’s education, and reshaping politics.

On one hand, one silver lining of the pandemic was the creation of numerous online learning opportunities that remain today. I, for one, have enjoyed the opportunity to study literature, history, and Bible with scholars in America and Israel, while interacting with a global community of fellow learners on Zoom.

Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that physical and emotional scars still remain: Pandemic-related health and mental health issues continue to affect young and old alike. I myself still mask in large crowds, and instinctively move away when I hear someone coughing. And admittedly, it took time before I could feel comfortable in certain social situations.

Meanwhile, the culture wars and chaos of the pandemic years continue to cause havoc, playing with our emotions. Whenever I speak with friends or follow news and social media, top of mind are palpable fears and anxiety about our fragile democracy, our health and welfare, the economic situation, not to mention ongoing wars, and the fate of the remaining hostages in Gaza

My thoughts immediately turn to the words of Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman in his book, Peace of Mind, which was published in the aftermath of World War II. In the chapter, “Fear Wears Many Masks,” he writes, “This is a dangerous world in which we live, and no normal person can face life without facing countless fears and worries. They are part of the fee we pay for citizenship in an unpredictable universe.” As a remedy, Liebman emphasizes faith combined with work to bring about a society where there is food, security, and freedom for all.

As a reflect on these words, it’s obvious that it’s time to stop kvetching. Now more than ever, it’s incumbent on each of us to take action as our abilities allow – whether it’s participating in protests, contacting our government officials, and writing op-eds or letters to the editor. We too bear responsibility. It’s time to move on.