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Dear Reader,

“Survival at any price” is not an adequate public philosophy, even during a time of plague. First Things has said this again and again in recent weeks. This has caused uproar. I understand the concern. We want to keep our fellow citizens safe from illness, and possibly death. Of course this should be a signal priority!

But I am surprised at the punitive outrage accompanying these responses. Our final end is in God, not in this world.

These weeks and months of total mobilization against COVID-19 will have consequences far beyond what we can now imagine. I’ll leave it to others to document the economic peril. I worry about the social and spiritual fallout. Social isolation. Suspended civic life. Closed churches and synagogues.

The most important thing we can do is say “no” to the fear that grips us at this moment. We need to speak up with courage. We will continue to reflect soberly on our society during and beyond COVID-19.

We need you to be part of the conversation. Please keep First Things a strong voice by becoming a subscriber, if you are not one already. This is a great way to support First Things.

And if you already subscribe and would like to take another step, please support First Things with a financial contribution today. ([link removed])

We are in the midst of a crisis. It’s a public health crisis, yes, but also, now, an economic crisis. During this time, we must refuse to allow medical and economic analysis to overwhelm the things that come first. We promise you that we will continue to be a sober voice of moral and religious truth.

Thank you for standing with us.


R. R. Reno, Editor
First Things
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