Editor's Note: Sojourners is committed to keeping you up to date with the resources, factual information, and spiritual sustenance you need to weather this health crisis. Even as our operations have moved virtual, we are increasing our work to offer news, commentary, practical advice, and theological reflections to our community. Stay updated at sojo.net, and please consider supporting this work.

Things are changing so fast. It’s enough to make us dizzy and scare our hearts. And I’m writing to remind you to be gentle with yourself and generous with others — we’re in this together.

When I wrote my first column on the coronavirus, just 12 days ago, I urged folks to stay home if they felt sick and to consult their doctors. Today, I write in the context of the president of the United States, in consultation with the country's top public health experts, asking every American to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, to avoid resturants and bars, and for students and parents to work from home if at all possible. It very much feels like the country is on lockdown. What is now recommended could become mandated in order to save countless lives, and the economic consequences for families, and especially the most vulnerable people, are now incalculable.

As a result, all of us are living into new daily rhythms. While that alone is disorienting, we are already moving from a life of daily inconvenience to one of fear. Institutions from sports to conferences to schools have transformed overnight. Many of our children — both school-age and young adults — are now home with us, which requires its own adjustments. And many, many people are finding themselves abruptly and unceremoniously out of work, with uncertain prospects for future paychecks as social distancing measures continue for an unknown length of time.

Amid this, we must not let fear become a way of life. We remember the words of Jesus: Love can cast out fear. Leaning into love and learning what it really means to love our neighbors in this crisis will be crucial to our collective health and survival.

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