A Deficit of Trust

I've been vigilant about wearing masks, social distancing, and handwashing. I got my vaccine as soon as I could and followed it up one month later with the second shot.  For me, these simple annoyances help protect me and the ones I love from a virus that is nasty, if not fatal.  I also consider these actions part of my civic duty.  By experiencing these mild discomforts, I can help restore normalcy to our world and hopefully prevent the death of many people.

I believe I’m doing the right thing, but many in our country disagree with me and with the health professionals; and that disagreement has been expressed with no small fervor.  Fist fights have broken out on several airlines. School board meetings have turned into angry brawls; and Tennessee’s top vaccine official was fired simply because she had the audacity of urging teenagers to get vaccinated. 

Because I’m one of the pro-vaxers, I find it difficult to understand those who are anti-vaxers. For me, the protocols offered by health professionals just make sense; but I realize many of my neighbors don’t see it that way.  Still, I struggle to understand.

For weeks, I’ve been asking myself, “What am I missing? Why is the truth that seems so obvious to me held in such disregard by others? I finally decided the missing element in this search for truth is trust. People are making their health decisions based on who they trust (or distrust). Those who trust health care professionals are following their advice, but those who trust their favorite talk show host are heeding his or her advice. Those who trust mainstream news believe masks and vaccines make a difference; but those who believe mainstream media is fake news go to other outlets to find different information. This COVID pandemic has revealed many weaknesses in our nation, but perhaps one of the most glaring weaknesses is our nation’s inability to trust; and as the level of trust in our nation continues to decline, so does our nation’s stability and health.

Perhaps a quick look at our nation’s recent history can help us understand how we lost our trust. Watergate, and its ugly aftermath, certainly chipped away at America’s foundation of trust.  After repeatedly being told lies about the war in Viet Nam we found it difficult to believe our government. After 9-11, when our government warned us about weapons of mass destruction, we willingly went to war, only to discover those weapons did not exist. The African American distrust of the vaccine sadly makes sense. It has to be difficult to erase the horrors of the Tuskegee Experiment from their minds.  At one time we trusted our news, believing news outlets attempted to bring us unbiased reports.  These days, we simply flip through the cable news channels to see which one best fits our bias. Of course, the religious community also bears a part of the blame. From denominational infighting, to the moral failure of mega-church pastors, to clergy abuse of children, the church has hardly been a beacon of integrity. Yes, there are certainly valid reasons for this rising deficit of trust.

So, what can we do to restore this important level of trust? First, we must rededicate ourselves to personal integrity.  That means before passing along some startling story or sharing some Facebook post, we first need to check our facts.  You’d be surprised how biased and misleading most internet posts have become. Secondly, we need to open civil dialogue with people whose views differ from ours.  While they may not change our minds, they can help us clarify our own understanding of truth. Last of all, be aware of believing truth that favors your vested interests. If truth always benefits you and your cause, it’s probably something less than truth.

As a person of faith, the primary source of my trust is divine, not human. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. While I may not trust the world around me, I can always trust the voice within me.

Trust. Oh, how we need it. With it, we can be whole again. Without it, the infections we battle today will be but a foreshadow of the sicknesses we battle tomorrow.