If the COVID-19 virus is not proof that we live in a global society then nothing is.

If the COVID-19 virus is not proof that what happens “over there” can affect us “over here” then nothing is.

This virus contrary to the claims of some did not pop up overnight; it was noticed by leading health officials months ago, and while there were shortcomings — dramatic shortcomings — in our response to the virus, it is nothing than the next thing on our list.

Throughout our history, the United States has proven not only resilient to forces bent on damaging our way of life, but we have also proven resilient in helping restore order when the world was in chaos. Why would this time be any different?

Those results speak for themselves and those results have been found regardless of the political party in control of Congress or the White House.

But what history has proven is something that we fear many have been forgotten; that a country in this world cannot succeed, thrive or much-less survive when it cowards in isolationism.

To think of it on more of a local scale, there was nothing Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas or Tennessee was going to do to prevent the COVID-19 disease from coming to Mississippi. Our society is too open and connected; our world is too connected.

Just think of the number of people who travel through Vicksburg on a daily basis who do nothing more than maybe stop for gas or a quick bite at a restaurant along the interstate. What about those who come here each day to celebrate and honor our area’s contributions to American history or jump off one of the many riverboats to tour our downtown shops and tourist destinations.

This virus will challenge our faith and our resolve. It will also challenge our economy and our families. It will also challenge the core values that we as Americans hold very dear.

Coronavirus is an adversary plain and simple. We must do our part as American citizens and as citizens of a very global and open world society. What happens over there does affect us over here.