Sick Days v Pandemic Days

3/22/2020

Sick Days v Pandemic Days

SICK DAYS:
Back in my working days.. I would sometimes say with a smile.. "I never met a sick day I didn't like." And let's be real, no one wants to waste a sick day with strep throat, or a 102 fever. It makes more sense to be 'a little under the weather' and call in sick when the sun is shining.

Looking back I realize so many followed MY LEAD that Human Resources departments across the country coined a more user friendly term.. PTO (personal time off) days.

So I personally believe I was the catalyst in the creation of PTO. No more calling in and fake coughing.. no more intentional weak voices. Now with PTO you can simply call in to work with a strong voice and say .. "I'm not gonna come in to work, there is Netflix binge watching that needs my attention.

So for all of you that have benefited from PTO ..

YOU ARE ALL WELCOME.

Don't look at me that way.. Are you saying you never feigned a sick day? Hmm.. how about did you ever take such a day off and called it a 'mental health day'? Ok then, at least I was not claiming to be 'sick in the head' .. LIKE YOU!

PANDEMIC DAYS:
But more far reaching than any random sick or PTO days you may have there is a much more concerning is the today's headline where Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic by the Center of Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. This sobering bit of news has put our lives on hold until further notice.

In response to COVID-19 were are closing of schools, stores, restaurants, sporting events, churches, and about everything else you can think of. The practical affects of this troubling news are the shortages of canned goods, cereal, and.. toilet paper. TOILET PAPER?

side note: I heard someone say if you are hoarding TP you most likely have a greater 'problem' (rogue IBS?) than catching COVID-19.

But very seriously.. the real health risks of Coronavirus are not to be ignored. My understanding is those especially at risk are over 65 years old, or with compromised immune systems.

BUT.. honestly I am even more concerned with the over-zealous domino overreach of governments, schools, churches, etc etc.

This will fuel far reaching economic and societal problems that may be more serious than the very real health risks. The longer this continues the greater damage is done.

So I pray.. for God's protection, and His wisdom to be displayed in ALL our leaders at all levels, and that it is not reduced to a partisan issue instead of it being an American issue.

So I pray ALSO.. for a return to God as this is a time where we can be quiet (we are like on a government timeout). This is a time to pray, read God's word, and then.. pray some more. A time to un-clutter our lives, our minds, and unplug from many of the subtle entrapments of our modern life. Maybe.. LESS is MORE.

Share and talk with friends about important issues, and about life. Pray for God to speak to you and to others without the 24/7 din of life. Spend more intentional time with family regaining perspective on what is important.

Let go of things.. minimize the madness, rethink your financial priorities, and just say no to the evening news SHOWS/PROPOGANDA.

AND of course be careful to stay safe and healthy without letting Corona run your lives.

ETERNITY:
Also, I have heard it said more than a few times..

We listen intently to the CDC when it warns us there is a pandemic. We must take precautions to minimize COVID-19 from taking lives. BUT
We don't listen intently when the Bibles warns us the wages of SIN is death. Wide is the road that leads to destruction, but narrow is the path to Heaven.

I am concerned that our society and even the church is more focused on a possible pandemic than a pending panDAMNit. (Maybe a poor choice of puns, but you get my point.)

May God bless and protect all of you during this time. May the peace of God be realized in your lives through this pandemic and anything that comes our way.

Blessings

Jeff (not even a sniffle.. yet) Larson

With this all being said I would not be a true Christian cartoonist if I did not also share what I will call...

' All Things ILL in The Back Pew'

Swine Flu/Flew?