Pinched in between the Corona Pandemic and the Presidential election this fall is the Venezuelan crisis which continues to live a life of its own. Or is it? President Trump was, before the Corona Virus reared its ugly head, moving more warships to the Venezuelan area. Destroyers that have flight decks for helicopters and ships with capabilities more concerned with law enforcement. Pentagon talk about Venezuelan President Marco has drifted in tone from “Regime” to “Cartel” in their descriptions of the country.

So, what does this mean to us? The Corona Pandemic will end— eventually. Sooner better than later. People are already sick and tired of it. But as it does, our problems with Venezuela will not only linger, but continue. When Trump rattled his threats last year, it was only then that we noticed that we had practically no Navy presence down there. It was mostly unavailable. Already dispatched to the Middle East. But we now have Destroyers with helicopters deployed and linked together by highflying EWACS.

You may now think, so what? Remember an arrogant little dictator named Noriega? He was a drug lord who became the head guy in the Panama Canal. Noriega changed the complexion of things when he was recognized as the criminal who had taken over this democracy just south of us. A vital territory to the USA. He threatened the US with closing the Canal. We made a commando type raid one night and arrested Noriega. We treated him as a bandit—not a President. Peace, law and order and prosperity was restored to the Canal Zone. In one night. President Marco may not slip so quietly into the night, but he would do well to look out. And perhaps, get out. Not R

While we frantically work on a vaccine to stop this Corona, the work to treat the sick and then handle the sheer number of bodies we find on hand has been in the forefront. New York City has been in the crosshairs of this apocalyptic-like disaster. Families are having to shop all over to find a funeral home which can take care of their dead. The rooms and spaces in the facilities are full. Cemeteries are back logged and even though those who just want to have a graveside service are being denied. One hospital which rented 20 refrigeration trucks (100 caskets per truck) is full and begging for more trucks. Meanwhile the city has begun temporary burial in city parks. Twenty to a trench. Seems like a dumb idea to me, but maybe I just don’t understand.

Placing caskets in large meeting areas, convention centers and the like was thought to be a way out. But now the undertakers say they are running short of equipment, special clothing and other supplies necessary to embalm the dead. The military may have to go in and help on this one too. Whatever the powers that be decided to do, they need to do it quickly.

Religionists think these hard times may bring the country to some sort of revival. We’ll see. If it does, we’ll have to keep down the crowds, or perhaps wait a bit. Pastor Tony Spiel laid his plans carefully last week. First, he got 26 buses to haul his congregants to worship services. Congregants were warned to keep six feet apart and I suppose they all wore masks. I don’t know if anyone was arrested or got a ticket but neighbors to the church were outraged. Calling the meeting reckless, one onlooker said, “they’re just afraid that there isn’t enough money in the plate.”

Churches here in Allen are using video conferencing to link their members up and to preach the word. Sounds safe enough to me as I wish this whole thing would be over quick. And yes. We do need a spiritual revival. Maybe historians can label it the COVID awakening. Have a good week and very careful to stay in.

Wayne Bullard, DPh cwaynebullard@gmail.com