My grandson tested positive for COVID recently. He’s two-and-a-half years old. He doesn’t understand the coronavirus pandemic that has swept over the entire world, nor the intricacies of what a virus is, or the definition of a vaccine, booster shot, or the word contagious. All he knows is that (in his own words), “My nose doesn’t work.”

My understanding of it all is not much better. I am not an immunologist, nor a member of the CDC (Center for Disease Control); I don’t understand the complexities of trying to control communicable diseases in large population groups. Like everyone else, I’m most concerned about my nose and the noses of my family, loved ones, and friends, and my freedom to wipe my nose in any way I want. Don’t anyone tell me how to wipe my nose; let other people worry about their own noses. After all, the Bible says, “I am not my brother’s keeper.”

Oops, wait . . . that’s what Cain said (Gen. 4:9)—not a good quote, nor even an accurate one at that. But maybe my attitude toward other Christians who disagree with me about how to curb the pandemic is based on faulty thinking and selective proof-texting of Scripture. Hmmm, just thinking out loud. I better to stop now before my nose gets out of joint. And besides, it needs blowing.