To Navigate What 2021 Brings

"We’re entering another year, one that I hope is marked by less volatility, uncertainty and chaos. But if it’s not, we can navigate it soberly if we learn the way of St. Ignatius: Cultivate a bonded attachment with the Giver instead of the gifts.” The words close Seth Haines’ 01 January 21 article in America Magazine. That “bonded attachment” is not limited to a few. 

St. Ignatius helped me get sober as a Protestant—and stay sober in 2020 as a Catholic @sethhaines https://t.co/GqOCkszs9X

— America Magazine (@americamag) January 1, 2021

No Instant Fix But a Great Help

Vaccines for Covid-19 are on the horizon. Yet vaccines will not fix instantly the pandemic. Replies to three questions posed in this short article can help one appreciate that human effort remains key. Human cooperation with a vaccine  will move the world beyond the pandemic.

“We need to restore faith and confidence in our scientists, institutions, and science itself, so that we can minimize vaccine hesitancy and have a successful vaccination program.” https://t.co/T95CSLEC08

— Paul Panaretos (@PDPswim) November 15, 2020

How & Where

Fine journalism has responded to Spain's intense suffering in the pandemic. An article in El Païs considered both transmission and prevention in living rooms, bars & schools. Its graphics are very helpful, and embedded links pepper the article.

Airborne No Only Droplet

The body of knowledge about the novel coronavirus continues to grow as the pandemic surges in some places and ebbs in others. Ebbing is no sign of disappearing but of prudent behaviour of individuals and  by health-care tracking. Evidence now suggests that the virus is airborne, that is, no longer only contained in droplets expelled from airways of infected people.

Another system the virus seems to affect—it causes more than respiratory illness—is the neurological system.

The World Health Organization confirmed there is "emerging evidence" of airborne transmission of the coronavirus. https://t.co/JoBxHdhMC1

— CNN (@CNN) July 8, 2020

Vigilance for Next Wave

Recently the Canadian Medical Association reminded vigilance remains key to staying healthy and mitigating the pandemic. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is “taking steps to prepare for a second wave of the COVID-19 coronavirus.”

@WDGPublicHealth is preparing for the second wave of #COVID19, but there are a few ways that wave might play out.#guelphhttps://t.co/kx0cXTeqEV

— Jonathan Duncan (@JonoDunco) July 8, 2020

Keep Vigilant

Canadians with different needs have different questions about #COVID19. Get clear answers from a reliable source.

— Canadian Medical Association (@CMA_Docs) June 24, 2020

5 Debunked

Ontario Health (first tweet) reminds citizens to remain vigilant to mitigate the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The next tweet from the Cleveland Clinic (via Cleveland 19 News) reminded that cloth face mask serve vital purposes.

Together we’re making a difference to stop the spread of COVID-19. Continue to keep surfaces clean and disinfected.

— ONTHealth (@ONThealth) May 20, 2020

Cleveland Clinic doctor debunks 5 myths about use of cloth face masks https://t.co/xYAXaI1tt5

— Cleveland 19 News (@cleveland19news) July 2, 2020

“Sidewalk Psychology”

Walkers know they can be in other places in their minds while they move. They also know that others they encounter may or may not respond to their greetings.

Last September Mary Jo DiLonardo posted about the topic; she referenced unpublished and published studies. With more people walking more the post is timely.

Hello, stranger.

(Please don't make this silence awkward)https://t.co/xB9fRrJh21 pic.twitter.com/LcnPA55NTG

— Treehugger.com (@Treehugger) June 30, 2020

Theology of Joy

The Yale Center of Faith and Culture explored the Theology of Joy and the Good Life according to a variety of topics. It recorded several video interviews with those who participated. Ellen Charry, emerita professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, conversed about the “Theology of Joy.” These days, especially, people of faith benefit from holding on to a virtue embedded in religious tradition.

Brief Conversation on Tracing

Contact tracing seeks to identify an infected person’s contacts. It is one way to curb the spread of a virus. Some countries have used it to great effect—South Korea is one example. Others countries are beginning to use it more—the United States.

CNN’s Dr. Sanja Gupta converses with a contact tracer and with an epidemiologist who work in New York City. Within the transcript is a link to the audio of the conversation.

Across the country, local officials are hiring people to track down anyone who may have been exposed to Covid-19. @drsanjaygupta talks to Dr. Syra Madad, an epidemiologist and special pathogens expert, about the importance and process of contact tracing. https://t.co/zkAOt1p1e8

— CNN (@CNN) June 11, 2020

Improving Quality of Health Care

In addition to basic care a “decade-long project led by…a distinguished research professor at York University looked at long-term care in four Canadian provinces…and five countries.” It noted that art and space significantly “influence the way that residents interact among themselves and with the staff.” 

As we work to fix problems in long-term care in Canada, research suggests we should pay attention to laundry, food, art and space — and to the people in charge of those things. https://t.co/34e5j2AhKZ

— McMaster University (@McMasterU) June 9, 2020

Window on Leading

Adults generally wear multiple “hats.” During the pandemic shouldering multiple roles has become more intense. At a New York City hospital one person whose “roles as a doctor, scientist, and administrator were all facing extraordinary demands simultaneously” tells his story of leading through the pandemic’s peak.

“Social distancing and sheltering in place moved the peak from 22,000 to 2,100. It saved more lives than any treatments we can provide patients.” https://t.co/qC5hsAJug1 #COVID19 via @YaleInsights

— Paul Panaretos (@PDPswim) June 6, 2020

Healthy Look of Public Places

The pictures taken during the 1918-20 pandemic indicate how people adapted to protect others and themselves. Places of worship are public places. Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked about Christian communion and safety.

Read @MikeOLoughlin's interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on what he thinks we need to do before we can safely open churches again. https://t.co/7N2iAOARD8

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 28, 2020

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Wiki-image 1918 Precautions taken in Seattle, WA by “Unknown author | PD-US" 

Coping Assistance

Many regions observe May to deepen awareness of mental health. Does religion have its role to play in mental health? Jesuit Dr. Roger Dawson examined the process of coping and religion’s role. He concluded that “religion can meet important needs for intimacy, meaning, self-actualisation and spiritual fulfilment. Those are outcomes that every mental health professional can appreciate and will want to promote.”

Perhaps more people than ever will be thinking about this question during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek (18-24 May) this year. @drrogerdawson asks: is religion good for your mental health? https://t.co/YoZ8AVAjer pic.twitter.com/ozy5dHCSLh

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 18, 2020

Interested in more resources?

We are here for you: if you're struggling to find peace of mind and heart in this time of crisis, find prayerful support in resources for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek from @ThinkingFaith, @prayasugo and @JesuitsBritain. https://t.co/VwVLl2RjeY pic.twitter.com/1W9KME6cVR

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 18, 2020

Kids’ Dreaming

N atGeo writer Rebecca Renner chatted with a neuroscientist about kid’s and their dreams during this time. Anxiety drives many of them. Parents help by reassuring children and give them control by encouraging them to draw their dreams.

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Wiki-image Yellow Column by “Arntor | CC BY-SA 4.0"

Respect

WATCH: ‘When you wear a mask you say 'I respect you,'’ said Governor Andrew Cuomo as he called on New Yorkers to wear face masks pic.twitter.com/pJHF7lS2Em

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 16, 2020

Conversion for All

Jesuit Federico Lombardi offered another post in the Vatican News series, “Living Beyond the Crisis.” He noted the pandemic affects everyone; “it is a shared illness.” The experience of the pandemic has shown how “contingent” humans are. 

The largest sharer in the pandemic is the Earth, providing home and sustenance to all. To welcome the conversion ahead Salesians of Don Bosco Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam listed “7 Reflections on the coronavirus emergency from an ecological perspective.” He is Coordinator of the Sector on Ecology of the Vatican Dicastery [Department] for Promoting Integral Human Development.

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Wiki-image Sun over the Lake Niassa Reserve by “USAID Africa Bureau Uploaded by Elitre| PD-US"

Music and Healing Comfort

A physician with a background in music had an insight. She enlisted the help of friends to present music from far distances to the physician’s patients and to her colleagues.

Earth-Time Letter from Ignatius

If one were to ask today some counsel from St. Ignatius of Loyola it might contain the 5 points in this “letter from heaven" written in “Earth time.”

What would the founder of the Jesuits say about coping well with #covid19 ? Here's a letter from heaven with some down to earth advice from St #ignatius. https://t.co/EVkZh845o4@NSintobin @JamesMartinSJ @JesuitsBritain pic.twitter.com/BxXWqXziC0

— Irish Jesuits (@jesuits_ireland) March 16, 2020

4 Tips

T

he Sisters of Mercy continue to post encouragement during the pandemic. Physical distance does not mean no connection, wrote Sister Sheila Stevenson. She offered four concrete actions to stay connected she found in ”a great article by a chaplain at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.”

"Can we let the fire of our spirituality lead us so that our purpose, meaning, value and connection to God, others and our world are turned around right once again?"https://t.co/SmeRHSwDPs

— Sisters of Mercy (@SistersofMercy) May 6, 2020