Social distancing might be a good strategy for combating a pandemic, but it’s definitely taking its toll on the emotional health of populations. My hope as we make our way to the other side of this initial response is that real data about the impact of social distancing (both good and ill) will be used to inform public health officials going forward. At this time, it seems, social distancing may be the best approach to defeat this infectious and deadly disease. Will it be the proper, safest, and most effective process in the future? We won’t know unless public health officials take into account the costs of social distancing as well as the benefits.
Humans are undeniably social creatures. We form complex networks of relationships of all levels of intimacy, from the casual, random encounters while going about our day, to the most intimate familial relationships that continue over a lifetime. These relationships are vital to our humanity. To be human is to be a person in relationship. When relationships are interrupted, one of the key factors of our psychological and spiritual well-being is interrupted.
There’s a biblical, theological logic behind this. God exists eternally in communion within the persons of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In creating humans in God’s own image, he imprinted us with the need and desire for relational connectedness. While I’m thankful for opportunities to connect through technology, there’s ultimately no substitute for humans connecting in real space and time. Humans need human touch.
Obviously, social distancing negatively impacts the economy, which impacts human health (and this needs to be studied and considered for public health purposes). What interests me is the impact of social distancing on human flourishing. Life is God’s good gift to us. We need to do all we can do to protect it. We also need to recognize that life is intended by God to be lived in relationship.
On the positive side, I’m grateful for opportunities to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the gift of relationships. May we capitalize on this fresh learning when we’re able to be physically present to one another, again.