2020 06 01
作者 Article by: Wilson Loo
安省因為疫情執⾏社交隔離， 差不多三個月了，最近疫症確診雖然仍然徘徊在每日三四百之間，但比起前一兩個月，似乎穩定下來。市民大眾家居或社交隔離，有些人顯得有點不耐煩 ， 蠢蠢欲動。前幾日數千人趁著陽光普照而湧到多倫多某公園玩耍曬太陽。使到省市領導人及醫療人員大為緊張。該晚看電視新聞，一個某醫院傳染病主任醫生， 在他的例⾏訪問報導時，悲從中來， 很罕見的熱淚盈眶，毫不客氣的直斥該等人的自私自利，為著一時之享受，不理他人的死活，幾個月來大家辛苦犧牲換來的進展， 可能毀於一旦, 他懇求大家遵守規則，共赴時艱。
那一晚電視新聞裏的傳染病主任醫生的坦誠警告， 及誠心懇求，使我想起舊約先知以賽亞，他面對以色列人的頑梗不聽上帝的話，⾏事為人嘅無公義， 又無真理， 對弱勢社群更毫無憐恤，以賽亞先知一方面苦口婆心的勸戒， 一方面疾言厲色的警告：以色列若不回轉， 上帝必審判懲罰, 結果.以色列真的亡國被擄。以賽亞進一步說明上帝審判懲罰,不是要毀滅，乃是要藉此使以色列人悔改回轉，得以更新。以色列人痛定思痛而回轉， 上帝回轉施以拯救，奇妙地使以色列人回歸重建家園。歷史着實是人類的鑑戒, 讓我們警醒。
Ontario has been under social isolation for nearly three months because of the Covid -19 pandemic. Although the number of newly diagnosed cases is still hovering between three and four hundreds a day, it seems to be stabilizing compared to the previous one or two months. Some people seem to be a little impatient and eager to move around more. A few days ago, thousands of people 3
rushed to a Toronto park to sunbathe and play. This made provincial and municipal leaders and medical personnel very worried.
In the TV news that evening, during his routine interview report, an infectious disease specialist, showing much anguish and sadness, reprimanded these people for their selfishness, saying that they ignored the life and death of other people and that their momentary pleasure might nullify the effort and sacrifice of many people over the past few months. He implored everyone to abide by the rules and get through the difficult time by working together.
The candid warning and the sincere pleading of the infectious disease specialist in the TV reminded me of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was sent by God to speak to the stubborn Israelites. He rebuked them for their not listening to God’s words: that they were unjust, and merciless towards the disadvantaged. Isaiah pleaded them to repent and do better. At the same time, Isaiah gave them sharp warning: if Israel did not return, God would judge and punish. True to Isaiah’s warning, Israel was defeated by her enemies and exiled. However, Isaiah explained that God’s judgement were not meant to destroy, but meant for repentance and renewal of the Israelites. Finally, the Israelites repented. God turned and delivered salvation. Miraculously, God rescued the Israelites and they returned to their homeland.
History has always been a good learning experience for humanity. Let us be vigilant.