A perspective on COVID-19

Observing the unfolding events of our times, my mind keeps drifting to something by CS Lewis in his book The Weight of Glory, written in the early days of World War II. I offer this paraphrased perspective and hope it adds value to the conversations you’re hearing on this topic.

What does COVID-19 do to death? It certainly does not make it more frequent; 100 percent of us die (and the percentage cannot be increased). 

“It puts several deaths earlier, but I hardly suppose that is what we fear. Certainly, when the moment comes, it will make little difference how many years we have behind us. Does it increase our chances of a painful death? I doubt it. As far as I can find out, what we call natural death is usually preceded by suffering, and a battlefield is one of the very few places where one has a reasonable prospect of dying with no pain at all.  Does it decrease our chances of dying at peace with God? I cannot believe it. If active service does not persuade a man to prepare for death, what conceivable concatenation of circumstances would? Yet war does do something to death. It forces us to remember it.”

COVID-19 makes death real to us, and maybe it is good for us to be made aware of our mortality, especially in an era of human history when so many of us are so much richer, healthier and happier than most people who have ever lived’.

I hope this gives a bit of perspective. 

And, soon enough, this too shall pass . . .