What Are We Thinking?

I imagine that all of us at some point this week heard the story of the two cruise ships that were stranded at sea. One of them held four bodies, their souls having departed while over the ocean. There were about fifteen critical patients onboard, positive with COVID-19, the pandemic that has brought the world as we know it to its knees. There were about 50 other people presumed to be positive for COVID-19. The Zaandam had been denied port entry by several countries before heading for Port Everglades, Florida.

I began to follow the saga of where they would port. My thoughts ranged from why people were cruising in the middle of a pandemic (in fact, they were on the ship when things got real), to how do they deal with this amount of illness on a ship (staff cared for people in the best ways possible – and sacrificed their own health in the process), and where on earth would they be allowed to go – potentially spreading more virus as they got off the ships. I also thought about who was on the ships – not the numbers that we kept hearing but WHO was on the ships. I imagined there were fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, children, newlyweds. . . .and the list goes on.

As I began to follow the negotiations about allowing the Zaandam and her sister ship to dock at Port Everglades, I found myself emotionally invested on some weird level (insert heartstrings). The governor of Florida was saying (initially) that they could not dock at all; then it became about allowing the Florida residents to come ashore but not the rest of the people. What? You would bring the ones that live in Florida to shore and leave the rest to die at sea? What the hell? Other countries have already sent them away. Wait, how much revenue does the cruise industry bring to Florida? According to a 2017 report by Cruise Lines International Assoc., The global cruise industry contributed $7.97 billion to Florida’s economy in 2016. The cruise industry’s direct expenditures in Florida generated total economic impacts of 149,020 jobs and $7.1 billion in wages. This is not POCKET CHANGE!

This was my realization that being quarantined in the middle of a pandemic sucks. Of course, they have to let these ships dock! Of course, we need to help them get medical care. Part of our extended family (Danny and Michele) have been frequent cruisers (taking us on our one and only cruise). What if they had been on one of these ships? What if they were stranded at sea?

Broward County officials varied on whether they should be allowed to dock. Push, pull, push, pull, negotiate, push, pull. Hello? Are you there? “Leaders” while you’re playing this game of tug-o-war the people on these ships are sick and hurting. GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO BEING STUCK FROM MARCH 14TH TO APRIL 2ND (18 DAYS) IN A STATEROOM WITH NO WINDOWS. Did all you claustrophobic people just suck wind? I certainly did.

Newsflash: We (The United States of America) are not at war with these people, we are at war with COVID-19. These two ships full of people are caught in the crossfire. If we see a neighbor/friend getting caught in crossfire I would like to think that we would pull them out of the way. Is it frightening – YES! Is it our responsibility – NOT REALLY! Is it the right thing to do – YUP!

We have our medical personnel on the front lines right now. They are fighting to save lives by the minute – including their own. They are humanitarians. Our country is full of good and decent people. People that are currently scared to death of where we are headed in the next couple of months (my household included). Where is your head and heart today? What are you thinking as you watch the news? How did you start your day working from home or preparing to help with a school lesson? Did you leave your home today and go to work in a medical office or hospital (Laura G and Glenda P)? Pinch yourself and find some reality! This time will pass, and we should strive to look back on it and know that we’ve done our part. What is your part?

Dear God, I ask for your guidance in the days ahead. As I am afraid, use that fear to teach me lessons. As I am tired, let me know that the work was worth it. As I ache to see and hold my family, allow me to feel the reassurance that they are okay. As I read and listen, soften my heart so that I am not quick to judge but to understand. God, help us all to be the best that we can be in a time that we have never seen. Amen.