Like you, I was astonished when I saw the video of a fight in Woolworths over toilet rolls and continue to be amazed at the panic the Coronavirus has caused. Yes, it is a serious health situation and a huge challenge for our community and our College. However, here are five ways we can respond more positively to this crisis.
- Trust the right sources. There have been many myths and rumours going around even in the last few days about this virus and most of them have been promulgated through social media. As a school, we are receiving expert input from Queensland Health and Independent Schools Queensland services who are in touch with the correct sources on a daily basis. Please don’t believe what you read on social media or hear from someone else. The person who tells you something may be trustworthy, but you don’t know their source. Even the media have contributed to some of the myths about the Coronavirus so keep going back to Queensland Health for health updates. If it is something concerning the school, then please ring Main Admin on 5439 0033 or email them at [email protected] Rather than risking misinforming people on social media, we would much prefer you to deal with the College directly either through email, Main Admin, our website and our newsletter.
- Try not to panic. I am not suggesting to be complacent but panicking will do absolutely no good at all! The only result is that you will pass that stress to your children and be distracted from the job of being a good parent and community member. Also please be mindful of what you watch on your communal screens in the house as there may be little eyes and ears also watching and struggling to process what they are seeing.
- Be kind and socially aware. I have been saddened recently by the reports of people leaving their local grocery store with huge excesses of groceries that they are clearly stockpiling. There seems to be no thought for the people who will come in need and find empty shelves, just “looking out for number one”. If we are to beat the Coronavirus it will need a community-minded and hearted approach. Remember to model kindness and social awareness to your children so they will grow up being kind to others.
- Respect the rules. As a school, we have a responsibility to respect the official advice we are being given from the authorities. As parents, we need you to also respect these rulings. If you have been asked to stay at home because you travelled through a country that may have been on the warning list, then please do so. I’ve been very impressed with our families that have contacted the College asking for advice on their circumstances and even more impressed by their willingness to abide by the regulations that related to them. We understand that it is inconvenient but it is responsible reactions like this that will lead to the COVID-19 virus being defeated.
- Wash your hands. This is a timely reminder to exercise good personal hygiene for the whole family. Washing hands is the number one way to combat all viruses and it is the cheapest and easiest option out there. It’s a ‘no brainer’ and it is incredibly effective, not just against Coronavirus but against all flu and cold germs. There are many instructional videos on how best to wash your hands such as this one click here.
There are so many ‘things’ in life that distract us from thinking about the big issues of life and death but it is times like these when the focus on our fragility as humankind is sharp. This is a big part of the reason why we built a Christian school so we can explore these issues together. Trusting in Jesus brings comfort, security and a great reason not to panic about our circumstances or the future.
John 14:1-4 ESV: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Mike Curtis, Principal