This weekend my oldest son tested positive for Covid on a lateral flow test which lead to a positive PCR test. It’s had a huge impact on friends whom we had seen in the 48 hours previously and means many of them are also having to self isolate. It’s resulted in thinking a lot about Covid and the restrictions we’ve been living under for the last year and a half.

I have friends who fill all the spectrum of feelings on this. I have friends who are working flat out in the NHS, seeing heart-breaking situations, including people dying alone of Covid in hospital unable to be visited by family. Truly devastating. I have other friends who believe it’s all a hoax and we should ignore it all and stand up against the government and global elite. I have friends who have barely left the house for fear of catching it and even now are reluctant to return to normality. Teenagers who now have crippling anxiety and are unsure who to trust or believe.

Fear seems the common denominator. Fear of catching Covid, fear of being controlled, fear of being misunderstood. One of the phrases I’ve seen a lot is that ‘Media is the Virus’. It’s interesting that people are deciding that’s only the case now. It’s been a problem for decades. I would actually include Social Media in that. Fear spreads quickly, it sells newspapers, it gets you to click, it makes them money! Not just Covid but everything.

I don’t hold extreme views in either direction and my heart breaks for anyone who has been affected by what’s happened over the last year. Overall my stance has to be one of compassion and non-judgement. At some point we’ll know the truth and maybe those who are in fear of the virus are right or maybe those in fear of control. I imagine it’s somewhere in the middle.

If we can use this time to be kind to one another, not throwing stones and accusing people of ignorance or recklessness. To understand we’re all imperfect people who make mistakes. Ultimately I believe God is in control, so I don’t fear death, nor do I fear control. I stay close to Him and trust that He will bring the truth to light. I will live under the authority of the government of the country I live in – Jesus told his disciples to pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar (now there was a corrupt and evil government).

Let’s choose not to judge people for their views on Covid and instead remember the privilege we have, especially in the UK, the right to protest, the ability to stay home, the right to free speech and to be able to disagree. But let’s not lose the ability to disagree and still be kind.

In a year of disappointments and frustrations I want to choose thankfulness, not denying the pain but living with it and allowing it to shape me into a better person and push me closer to God.