Apparently valuing human life more than money is now a political view. Read that again: the sanctity of human life as driven by our biology and as literally directed by God is up for debate in 2020.

Our President has changed his mind about COVID-19 and not for the health and safety of American citizens. First, it was a terrible disease that required people to sacrifice and stay home, but now the country should be back open for business by Easter for the economy’s sake. This about-face occurred after reports that some of his business locations closed and his company was now facing financial hardship. Suddenly, our economy became more important than American lives, including our cherished elderly, healthcare workers, civil servants, and many others. The re-branding of this callous message is that the ‘inevitable’ collapse of the US and world economies will cause more death and suffering than following in China’s or Italy’s footsteps with COVID-19. I call bullshit.

As a nurse, I will go to work to provide care for others and consider it not only an honor, but a calling. I am also acutely aware of reports of American medical professionals, young and old, who have died or are in critical condition after caring for COVID-19 positive patients. Nurses are trained to understand disease pathology and epidemiology, giving us the discernment to understand that COVID-19 is most definitely not the flu and is a true emergency of drastic proportions. This medical training is helpful to make an educated judgement, but anyone with internet access can see the media coming out of other countries affected by this virus. This virus turns hospitals into apparent war zones rather than places of healing, which will worsen and intensify if the President pushes through policy based on egocentric desires for economic self-preservation.

Never more than today have I missed President Obama and the security I felt having a rational, progressive leader in the White House. Never more than today have I been concerned for the moral compass of our great country. Never more than today have I looked upon my daughter’s face and hoped that this current trial will not be the one that separates us.

For those who doubt that God commanded us to value human life, open the Good Book and see for yourself, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35