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The government of Sisters has turned a decision about denying a permanent homeless shelter away from a story about those who need help and into a story about those who do not.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the Sisters Cold Weather Shelter has a good heart. I have no doubt in my mind that most of them on the board are trying to do the right thing,” Sisters Mayor Michael Preedin said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

“I feel that if the shelter cannot assure the minimum amount of safety with their idea, then they’re not providing a reasonable level of safety.”

For most of us, homeless people are far from our main concern. We worry about our family. We worry about our possessions. We worry about our neighborhood, the government, work, bills, errands, pets, grass that needs to be cut or shows that need to be streamed.

Maybe after all that we do worry about the homeless. Those who have homes can come first.

There are fears, imagined and real, about homeless shelters. Preedin or anyone in Sisters who has concerns shouldn’t be vilified. That’s not going to win anybody over.

But who wants a homeless shelter near their home?

Almost nobody ever raises their hand. Our common nature to worry wins over our common humanity and our generosity. And people going through homelessness lose.