Just over a year ago, Ritchie and I were traveling in India. When the plane landed in Delhi, I looked out the window to what I had to believe was a sand storm. No, that was the air. This provided our first experience of wearing masks. Recently the Washington Post ran an article titled, “In India, Life Under Coronavirus Brings Blue Skies and Clean Air” (4/11/2020). It showed pictures of Delhi before and after a three-week lockdown. The difference is stunning. What once were sepia colored, grainy images of landmarks now showed colorful, crisp portraits. I urge everyone to take a look at the article.
In addition to cows, which are sacred and therefor everywhere, Delhi is overrun with tuk-tuks, motor bikes, and all manner of creatively designed gas-fueled vehicles. What would happen if everyone were required to stay at home as protection from covid-19? Answer: Transportation would be brought to a halt, and the air would clear. And so, a three-week cessation of commerce, intended to curb the spread of a virus, also functioned as an experiment in control of carbon emissions. It is a positive unintended consequence of the pandemic.
As we pray together from the Prayer Book, “For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.” May we take hold of the guidance of our faith, together with lessons of this virus, to preserve and protect our Mother Earth. “Lord, have mercy.”
Elizabeth Thomas