Hope for Post-Coronavirus America

Of course America will survive the coronavirus. We’ve many times survived far worse. Typically we emerge from our turmoils and crises stronger and more robust than before. Despite our national history and character, pessimism is typically safer, easier, and more fashionable. It’s also more cynical.

But America is intrinsically a hopeful country because it is providential in its self-identity. From the start Americans understand their national mission as purposeful, important, universal, and almost cosmic. Abraham Lincoln called Americans the “almost chosen people.” The caveat of “almost” is important. We aren’t the ancient Hebrews bearing redemption for the whole world.