For the last four or five months, we have been controlled by an invisible enemy known as COVID 19. How has this affected each of us and why have we allowed this to go on for so long. What is unique to this particular virus and why now? In the early stages of this virus, we were told that millions worldwide would die and that we needed to close all businesses and stay home for our protection. Since then we have found that the mortality rate is less than 0.033 as of August 3, 2020, per the World Health Organization. This number has to be looked at with some concern because the WHO has been caught manipulating their number to fit their daily agenda and are not always accurate or trustworthy. The CDC suggests a mortality rate of .02% for COVID but these numbers are troublesome because just this week several testing centers were reporting 100% positive results which are statistically impossible. Once investigated the center has reported 98% positive which in fact was 0.098 positive. Someone has misplaced the decimal point in several reports. It is alleged that Tricare accidentally told 600,000 people that they had positive COVID results and had to make a huge correction. So, the only real fact that we can count on is that we do not have any true number concerning COVID. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” So, each person is left to do their own research and draw their own conclusions, hopefully with Divine assistance. Or have we lost the ability to think for ourselves without the media and others that are not concerned with our wellbeing telling us what to think? Second Timothy 4:3-4 reminds us that, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” This is a very frightening thought.
What has happened in our Community during this brief time of quarantine? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) has created several lists of the negative effects resulting from COVID shutdown. One of the most alarming is that churches have been closed, and all church programs have been suspended which doesn’t allow children to be taught and restricts fellowship among the adults. All the activities for Children were canceled at the ballpark – no little league baseball. Playgrounds have been forced to create rules that limited the children’s play – social distancing and the wearing of masks while trying to play. Community groups and clubs such as Rotary, Civitan, and others have been suspended, so no civic works can be accomplished. The way churches attend to their shut-ins and the elderly has been altered. Churches have been forced to start utilizing telephone visitation instead of spending time with their shut-ins. This for many may have been the only human contact they received. Many families have locked themselves in their homes with little or no interaction with others causing anxiety and depression. This has caused unnecessary tension which is ripe for abuse and domestic issues. Drug use and alcohol abuse has skyrocketed.
SAMHSA warns that the stress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes cause people to fear and worry about your health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on. It could cause a person to change their sleep or eating patterns which could cause difficulty in sleeping or concentrating on mental activities. These changes and stresses could cause worsening of chronic health problems and worsening of mental health conditions. SAMHSA also warns that an increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances should be expected. Try your best to not panic and be smart in making plans and using your judgment concerning COVID. The very best advice is to educate yourself and DO NOT listen to the television. SAMHSA goes on to tell us there are healthy ways to cope with stress. Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19. Be prepared and know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy. (SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP, call 911 if you feel like you want to harm yourself or others, Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746, Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.) You should always take care of your emotional health. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. It is very important to take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. It is always extremely important to take care of your body by taking deep breaths, stretch, or meditate to relax. Try your best to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid excessive alcohol and drug use. Make time to unwind, and try to do some other activities you enjoy even if you are forced to stay home. A great thing to do is to connect with others. Talk with friends and loved ones you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. It is also a great idea to connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail. Several churches have put special plans into place that allow their congregations to come to church safely. Some of these arrangements are aggravating and troublesome but remember they are trying their best to protect you while still allowing you to visit the church to worship. Please understand that the folks at church have designed these plans to the very best of their abilities and that there is nothing that they want more than to open up the church and keep everyone safe.
Colossians 2:8 tells us that we must, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” This seems to be excellent advice in these times where every media outlet is screaming doom and gloom, Facebook is full of deceitful spreaders of hate, and all of our friends and relatives are as confused as we are. It is good to remember that Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” With this thought in mind the CDC, APA, and SAMHSA suggest that we can remember that we are creatures of habit. I bet a lot of people know someone – especially a young person – who grew up going to church every Sunday. But then something happened and they missed a few weeks. Missing one Sunday makes missing the next Sunday easy. I am told that if a churchgoer misses four Sundays there is a 60% chance, they will not return to church for months if not years. It is easy to exchange the habit of going to church to the habit of staying home. Staying at home Sunday morning means you don’t have to get up early or get dressed up. It’s a chance to be lazy and to break the weekly routine. But you won’t grow as a Christian if you don’t spend time with fellow believers. Another problem with the Chinese coronavirus is that a lot of people have been furloughed or dismissed from their jobs. They are not getting paychecks right now and they are therefore not donating to their churches. That’s a problem for many churches, especially those that carry debt. Those in charge have closed businesses, churches, and community activities, but abortion clinics, and other liberal issues seem to be immune to the virus. To cause additional alarm the CDC tells us approximately 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. And that the numbers experiencing intimate partner violence will dramatically rise as a result of social distancing and quarantine during COVID-19. Before the pandemic, a survivor or victim could flee a violent situation or file a protective order with the police. For many, such options aren’t easily available right now. A stay-at-home order can force victims to stay in a dangerous situation. The quarantine removes the resources many at-risk parents rely on such as extended family, child care and schools, religious groups, and other community organizations. Unfortunately, these are no longer available in many areas due to the quarantine and the fact that the source of monies to support these resources are no longer available. It is no wonder that even parents who have great child management skills and great bonds with their kids are going to be tested. All the shutdowns, unemployment, doom and gloom, cancellation of public resources, and general panic, a perfect storm is happening in millions of homes for kids to be at greater risk for these negative interactions.
This virus will soon be behind us and will be remembered as being no worse than the flu. History shows us that every four years there is an end of the world event that corresponds to the election year cycle. During the H1N1 virus, there were 60.8 million cases with no panic but it wasn’t an election year. The main thing is to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family and friends. Do not listen to the doom and gloom. God has a plan for all of us. But we must believe and be patient. Acts 20:28 suggest that we, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” If you find yourself in need of help do not hesitate to call someone. Below is a list of numbers that are available 24/7 to anyone in need. CALL FOR HELP.
Call your healthcare provider and make an appointment.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 1-800-273-8255
Call 911 if you feel like you want to harm yourself or others.
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.
Call 911 for Local police and Sheriff Departments