The UK Government’s National Panic Service
Keeping Us In Condition of Perpetual Alarm
Peter Hitchens
Daily Mail
The most common symptom of Covid-19 is that you feel just fine. A huge number of those now being absurdly listed as ‘infected’ with this bogeyman disease are perfectly healthy.
If the trained hunters of the Government’s National Panic Service had not tracked them down, most of them would never have known they were supposed to be ill. Why do we take this seriously?
It is a fact, not a ‘conspiracy theory’, that the power of the state is now being used to keep us in a condition of perpetual alarm. We are ceaselessly threatened with a ‘second wave’ for which there is, in fact, no evidence.
As I began to write this, I received a ridiculous text message from my GP squawking urgently: ‘We have been made aware that the number of coronavirus cases in Oxfordshire is starting to rise.’ No doubt Oxford will be one of the next cities to undergo some sort of renewed shutdown, to keep us in our place. This fatuous propaganda is just preparing the way. The more scared we are, the more we obey.
It ended by intoning: ‘We must each do our bit to protect ourselves and others.’ The use of the phrase ‘do our bit’, of course, invokes the phoney Blitz spirit that is used against anyone who looks at the actual researched facts and says, as I do: ‘Don’t be silly.’ For daring to stay calm, I am then accused of being a collaborator with the wicked Nazi virus. The played-out, once-independent magazine Private Eye, now a boring mouthpiece of wokeness, actually did this to me last week.
The truth is that the number of deaths from Covid, even the fiddled and inflated version which the Government clings to, is falling closer and closer to zero. So, even more significantly, are hospital admissions, which would be rising steeply if these ‘infection’ figures actually represented large numbers of seriously ill people.
These things are true both of Britain and of Spain, whose supposed spike in Covid was used to destroy the holiday plans of more than a million people last week in an arbitrary decision of astonishing uselessness. At the peak of the epidemic in April, Spain at one point suffered 961 deaths in one day. According to the Coronavirus Worldometer, the daily Covid deaths in Spain for the past few weeks have rarely risen above five a day, and have often been fewer than that.
And for this we destroy the happy innocent pleasures of hundreds of thousands, and deal another smashing blow to a travel industry already devastated by Government folly? Why do we put up with it? I have no idea.
Showing posts with label Covid 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covid 19. Show all posts
Monday, 10 August 2020
Monday, 11 May 2020
"The Lord Is My Portion"
The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases
These days, it would seem, provide many reasons for discouragement. And so it was as we read through the book of Lamentations.
Jeremiah had suffered much. He had been called to accompany the final rebellious element of Jerusalem as it sought refuge in Egypt. Jeremiah's duty was to be present with this rebellious minority. He was to testify to this remnant as they made their way back to Egypt (with all that such a rebellion implied). As a consequence he shared in their experience of God's wrath and anger, through no fault of his own.
But, against all expectation, Jeremiah did not lose his trust and hope in God. And in so doing he becomes an example to us who have been called to live in a Covid-19 world. He writes:
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
[Lamentations 3:19-25 English Standard Version (ESV)]
Indeed--God's mercies are new every morning. May all His people throughout our nation and the world find this to be the true.
These days, it would seem, provide many reasons for discouragement. And so it was as we read through the book of Lamentations.
Jeremiah had suffered much. He had been called to accompany the final rebellious element of Jerusalem as it sought refuge in Egypt. Jeremiah's duty was to be present with this rebellious minority. He was to testify to this remnant as they made their way back to Egypt (with all that such a rebellion implied). As a consequence he shared in their experience of God's wrath and anger, through no fault of his own.
But, against all expectation, Jeremiah did not lose his trust and hope in God. And in so doing he becomes an example to us who have been called to live in a Covid-19 world. He writes:
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
[Lamentations 3:19-25 English Standard Version (ESV)]
Indeed--God's mercies are new every morning. May all His people throughout our nation and the world find this to be the true.
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
Common Sense Conclusoins
Lord Sumption Speaks
Hysteria-Driven Government Coronavirus Policy.
[A conversation between Peter Hitchens and Lord Sumption]
The real problem is that when human societies lose their freedom, it's not usually because tyrants have taken it away. It's usually because people willingly surrender their freedom in return for protection against some external threat. And the threat is usually a real threat but usually exaggerated.
That's what I fear we are seeing now. The pressure on politicians has come from the public. They want action. They don't pause to ask whether the action will work. They don't ask themselves whether the cost will be worth paying. They want action anyway. And anyone who has studied history will recognise here the classic symptoms of collective hysteria.
Hysteria is infectious. We are working ourselves up into a lather in which we exaggerate the threat and stop asking ourselves whether the cure may be worse than the disease.
Hysteria-Driven Government Coronavirus Policy.
[A conversation between Peter Hitchens and Lord Sumption]
This is a recording of the astonishing interview of Lord Sumption, a former member of the Supreme Court and last year's Reith Lecturer, on BBC Radio 4's World at One today , Monday 30th March 2020. It is by far the most high-powered criticism , made in public by a senior figure of considerable reputation and merit, of government policy on the corona virus. I shall be providing a transcript as soon as I can, but in the meanwhile I ask you to disseminate it as widely as possible, as I fear that other media may not do so in these strange times. [Peter HitchensHere is a transcript of the whole interview.
The real problem is that when human societies lose their freedom, it's not usually because tyrants have taken it away. It's usually because people willingly surrender their freedom in return for protection against some external threat. And the threat is usually a real threat but usually exaggerated.
That's what I fear we are seeing now. The pressure on politicians has come from the public. They want action. They don't pause to ask whether the action will work. They don't ask themselves whether the cost will be worth paying. They want action anyway. And anyone who has studied history will recognise here the classic symptoms of collective hysteria.
Hysteria is infectious. We are working ourselves up into a lather in which we exaggerate the threat and stop asking ourselves whether the cure may be worse than the disease.
Monday, 6 April 2020
UK Police Think Again
Police Chiefs to Warn Forces Against Coronavirus Crackdown
Claims of 'Police State'
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted there were 'teething problems' but claimed it was simply 'the police trying to work out which is the most effective approach'
Oliver Milne
Mirror
Police forces have been warned about not overreaching their authority while enforcing Britain's coronavirus lockdown. According to reports in The Guardian, police chiefs are drawing up new guidance for forces to follow after a number of forced publicised that they were punishing people for things which aren't actually against the rules.
But this claim was later denied by the National Police Chiefs Council. Government sources told the Mirror that guidance issued to all forces would be "made very clear" with clarifications in the coming days. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted there were “teething problems” but claimed it was simply “the police trying to work out which is the most effective approach”.
It came after former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption said that Britain risked turning into a "police state" if forces weren't told the limits of what they could and could not stop people doing.
Among the forces who have been criticised are Derbyshire police – use dye to change the colour of a local beauty spot and posted a video on their social media where they appeared to use a drone to carry out surveillance of people out for a walk.
Claims of 'Police State'
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted there were 'teething problems' but claimed it was simply 'the police trying to work out which is the most effective approach'
Oliver Milne
Mirror
Police forces have been warned about not overreaching their authority while enforcing Britain's coronavirus lockdown. According to reports in The Guardian, police chiefs are drawing up new guidance for forces to follow after a number of forced publicised that they were punishing people for things which aren't actually against the rules.
But this claim was later denied by the National Police Chiefs Council. Government sources told the Mirror that guidance issued to all forces would be "made very clear" with clarifications in the coming days. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted there were “teething problems” but claimed it was simply “the police trying to work out which is the most effective approach”.
It came after former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption said that Britain risked turning into a "police state" if forces weren't told the limits of what they could and could not stop people doing.
Among the forces who have been criticised are Derbyshire police – use dye to change the colour of a local beauty spot and posted a video on their social media where they appeared to use a drone to carry out surveillance of people out for a walk.
Saturday, 4 April 2020
Warning From Top Judge
Coronavirus Rules are 'Hysterical Slide Into a Police State'
The former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption hit out at the heavy-handed measures taken by Derbyshire Police
Nicola Bartlett
Daily Mirror
A former Supreme Court justice has warned that the public are displaying "collective hysteria" over coronavirus. Lord Sumption, who retired as a justice at the UK's highest court in 2018, hit out at the way that some police forces are interpreting the new rules.
He said: "The pressure on politicians has come from the public; they want action. They don't pause to ask whether the action will work, they don't ask themselves whether the cost will be worth paying - they want action anyway.
Lord Sumption told Radio 4's The World At One:"Anyone who has studied history will recognise here the classic symptoms of collective hysteria, which is infectious. We are working ourselves up into a lather in which we exaggerate the threat and stop asking ourselves whether the cure may be worse than the disease."
He added: "Yes, this is serious, and, yes, it's understandable that people cry out to the Government, but the real question is, is this serious enough to warrant putting most of our population into house imprisonment, wrecking our economy for an indefinite period, destroying businesses that honest and hard-working people have taken years to build up, saddling future generations with debt?
"Depressions, stress, heart attacks, suicides and unbelievable stress inflicted on millions of people who are not especially vulnerable and will suffer only mild symptoms or none at all like the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister."
The police force caused controversy when they used drones to deter people from breaking the lockdown rules by travelling to remote areas for their daily exercise.
The former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption hit out at the heavy-handed measures taken by Derbyshire Police
Nicola Bartlett
Daily Mirror
A former Supreme Court justice has warned that the public are displaying "collective hysteria" over coronavirus. Lord Sumption, who retired as a justice at the UK's highest court in 2018, hit out at the way that some police forces are interpreting the new rules.
He said: "The pressure on politicians has come from the public; they want action. They don't pause to ask whether the action will work, they don't ask themselves whether the cost will be worth paying - they want action anyway.
Lord Sumption told Radio 4's The World At One:"Anyone who has studied history will recognise here the classic symptoms of collective hysteria, which is infectious. We are working ourselves up into a lather in which we exaggerate the threat and stop asking ourselves whether the cure may be worse than the disease."
He added: "Yes, this is serious, and, yes, it's understandable that people cry out to the Government, but the real question is, is this serious enough to warrant putting most of our population into house imprisonment, wrecking our economy for an indefinite period, destroying businesses that honest and hard-working people have taken years to build up, saddling future generations with debt?
"Depressions, stress, heart attacks, suicides and unbelievable stress inflicted on millions of people who are not especially vulnerable and will suffer only mild symptoms or none at all like the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister."
The police force caused controversy when they used drones to deter people from breaking the lockdown rules by travelling to remote areas for their daily exercise.
Has China Become a Rogue State?
British Govt Furious Over China’s Virus Lies
‘Reckoning’ Expected Post-Pandemic
Kurt Zindulka
Breitbart News
The British government is reportedly furious over the coronavirus misinformation campaign conducted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), leading to calls for the relationship between the two powers to be re-evaluated after the pandemic subsides.
Members of Boris Johnson’s government have disclosed that “anger goes right to the top” of 10 Downing Street — the Prime Minister’s official residence — over the Chinese Communist Party’s mishandling of the coronavirus crisis. The anger stems in large part from a misinformation campaign launched by the regime accusing a United States military delegation in Wuhan of starting the global pandemic.
“There is a disgusting disinformation campaign going on and it is unacceptable. They [the Chinese regime] know they have got this badly wrong and rather than owning it they are spreading lies,” a Downing Street source told the Daily Mail.
Scientific advisors have informed Mr Johnson that it is likely that China is also lying about the number of coronavirus cases in the country, downplaying the figures “by a factor of 15 to 40 times”.
‘Reckoning’ Expected Post-Pandemic
Kurt Zindulka
Breitbart News
The British government is reportedly furious over the coronavirus misinformation campaign conducted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), leading to calls for the relationship between the two powers to be re-evaluated after the pandemic subsides.
Members of Boris Johnson’s government have disclosed that “anger goes right to the top” of 10 Downing Street — the Prime Minister’s official residence — over the Chinese Communist Party’s mishandling of the coronavirus crisis. The anger stems in large part from a misinformation campaign launched by the regime accusing a United States military delegation in Wuhan of starting the global pandemic.
“There is a disgusting disinformation campaign going on and it is unacceptable. They [the Chinese regime] know they have got this badly wrong and rather than owning it they are spreading lies,” a Downing Street source told the Daily Mail.
Scientific advisors have informed Mr Johnson that it is likely that China is also lying about the number of coronavirus cases in the country, downplaying the figures “by a factor of 15 to 40 times”.
Friday, 3 April 2020
The Ideological War Continues
Trump’s Approval Is Spiking
The Left Can’t Stand It
David Marcus
The Federalist
Over the past two weeks, President Trump’s overall approval rating and specifically approval of his handling of the Chinese virus have been spiking. You would think that most people would view this as good thing, I mean, in the middle of a crisis, having faith in leadership is better than not having faith in leadership, right? For many on the left, though, these numbers are cause for consternation. . . . .
Trump’s initial response to virus, in late January and into February, was not great.
The Left Can’t Stand It
David Marcus
The Federalist
Over the past two weeks, President Trump’s overall approval rating and specifically approval of his handling of the Chinese virus have been spiking. You would think that most people would view this as good thing, I mean, in the middle of a crisis, having faith in leadership is better than not having faith in leadership, right? For many on the left, though, these numbers are cause for consternation. . . . .
Trump’s initial response to virus, in late January and into February, was not great.
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Media Conniptions
Trump’s Poll Numbers Rise
Media Begin Censoring Press Conferences
Media continue to make their coverage choices based on whether they believe it will harm or help Trump.
Mollie Hemingway
The Federalist
When polls showed that President Donald Trump was receiving unusually high marks for his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, the first stage of grief the media went through was denial:
The political media have been working extremely hard to craft a narrative that the spread of the coronavirus was essentially the fault of the man they had blamed for all other ills in recent years. How could the people not accept that narrative, particularly considering that most everyone in the media was pushing it?
Things got worse when additional polls showed Trump receiving high ratings at the same time that the media received poor ratings. A brand new Gallup study — “Coronavirus Response: Hospitals Rated Best, News Media Worst” — was particularly bad news. When Americans were asked about nine different institutions and political leaders, they gave majority approval to all but the media. President Trump has a 22-point net approval rating while the media’s net approval rating was negative 11 points. The RealClearPolitics approval average for Trump was its highest during his entire presidency.
In response, the media were angry and depressed and began blaming his press conferences. Their theory seemed to be that the more Americans saw Trump, unfiltered, they liked him and the more Americans saw the behavior of the media, they didn’t like it.
Media Begin Censoring Press Conferences
Media continue to make their coverage choices based on whether they believe it will harm or help Trump.
Mollie Hemingway
The Federalist
When polls showed that President Donald Trump was receiving unusually high marks for his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, the first stage of grief the media went through was denial:
The political media have been working extremely hard to craft a narrative that the spread of the coronavirus was essentially the fault of the man they had blamed for all other ills in recent years. How could the people not accept that narrative, particularly considering that most everyone in the media was pushing it?
Things got worse when additional polls showed Trump receiving high ratings at the same time that the media received poor ratings. A brand new Gallup study — “Coronavirus Response: Hospitals Rated Best, News Media Worst” — was particularly bad news. When Americans were asked about nine different institutions and political leaders, they gave majority approval to all but the media. President Trump has a 22-point net approval rating while the media’s net approval rating was negative 11 points. The RealClearPolitics approval average for Trump was its highest during his entire presidency.
In response, the media were angry and depressed and began blaming his press conferences. Their theory seemed to be that the more Americans saw Trump, unfiltered, they liked him and the more Americans saw the behavior of the media, they didn’t like it.
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
Infection is Not Identical With Disease
An Expert says the Current Response to the Coronavirus is 'Grotesque'
Peter Hitchens interviews Professor Dr Sucharit Bhakdi, an infectious medicine specialist. The Professor is one of the most highly cited medical research scientists in Germany. He was head of the Institute for Medical Microbiology at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, one of Germany's most distinguished seats of learning.
The transcript is below .
Those who wish to watch the German original with English subtitles may do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBB9bA-gXL4 (NB Interview dates form 18th March so please note one of the figures he gives for deaths in Germany is now out of date. It is not mistaken).
Q: Today we will talk about the Corona Virus. This virus spreads fear over the whole world. Also in Germany, a state of emergency imposes extreme restrictions. What are Corona viruses?
Prof Bhakdi : “These viruses coexist with humans and animals around the globe. They are the cause of very common minor diseases of the respiratory tract. Very often, infections remain subclinical without symptoms. Severe courses occur almost exclusively in elderly patients with other underlying illnesses, in particular of lung and heart.
“Now however a new member is on stage spreading fear around the world."
Q: Why?
“The new COVID-19 originated in China and spread rapidly. It appeared to be accompanied by an unexpectedly high number of deaths. Alarming reports followed from Northern Italy that concurred with the Chinese experience.
It must however be pointed out that the large majority of other outbreaks in other parts of the world appeared to display lower apparent mortality rates, and such high numbers of 4%, 5% or 6% were not reached. For example in South Korea the apparent mortality rate was 1%.”
Q: Why do you say “apparent” mortality rate?
Peter Hitchens interviews Professor Dr Sucharit Bhakdi, an infectious medicine specialist. The Professor is one of the most highly cited medical research scientists in Germany. He was head of the Institute for Medical Microbiology at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, one of Germany's most distinguished seats of learning.
The transcript is below .
Those who wish to watch the German original with English subtitles may do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBB9bA-gXL4 (NB Interview dates form 18th March so please note one of the figures he gives for deaths in Germany is now out of date. It is not mistaken).
Q: Today we will talk about the Corona Virus. This virus spreads fear over the whole world. Also in Germany, a state of emergency imposes extreme restrictions. What are Corona viruses?
Prof Bhakdi : “These viruses coexist with humans and animals around the globe. They are the cause of very common minor diseases of the respiratory tract. Very often, infections remain subclinical without symptoms. Severe courses occur almost exclusively in elderly patients with other underlying illnesses, in particular of lung and heart.
“Now however a new member is on stage spreading fear around the world."
Q: Why?
“The new COVID-19 originated in China and spread rapidly. It appeared to be accompanied by an unexpectedly high number of deaths. Alarming reports followed from Northern Italy that concurred with the Chinese experience.
It must however be pointed out that the large majority of other outbreaks in other parts of the world appeared to display lower apparent mortality rates, and such high numbers of 4%, 5% or 6% were not reached. For example in South Korea the apparent mortality rate was 1%.”
Q: Why do you say “apparent” mortality rate?
A Perspective from Europe
Coronavirus, Quarantine, and the Grim Mathematics of “War”
Published by Larry Taunton
Finally, home!
During my time abroad, I had no time to read, much less to write. Jet lagged as I am, I have a full tank of caffeine and nowhere to go. So now I can devote a bit more time to addressing this crisis and offer you what I hope will be a helpful perspective.
Saturday’s column, “A Word on Faith & Viruses,” got a huge, and overwhelmingly positive, response. Clearly, people are interested in this issue and they are looking for leadership and answers. I want to follow up that piece and warn you about what I feel certain is coming to America and offer a way to process all of this as Christians. Coming from continental Europe, the so-called “Epicenter” of the virus, and seeing what is happening there gives me a very different perspective from that which you are getting here in the USA.
What You Should Expect
I was in Europe from the beginning of this pandemic until Monday, and my sense is that even now Americans don’t really understand the degree of disruption that is coming to their lives and to society as a whole. As I sat writing yesterday at the hotel bar in Miami—if you find this a shoddy essay, I swear that I did not write it while intoxicated—I looked out and saw a lot of people walking, jogging, cycling, and in their cars. It was slightly jarring given what things look like in Europe. Then, this morning I read that 100 million Americans are living under stay-at-home orders. This, too, is somewhat jarring.
The major cities of Southern Europe are in panic mode. In Spain, the country is, for all practical purposes, under martial law. The crackdown came very gradually, almost friendly. A soft encouragement to stay indoors. Spanish police said nothing when they saw you on the streets. Most people didn’t go out. But you still some saw joggers and beachgoers.
Then police vans equipped with loudspeakers drove slowly through the streets telling people to stay inside unless they had an approved reason to do otherwise. A few days later, the military came in and police became somewhat belligerent—even when you had a legal reason for being out—and huge fines were levied on violators.
Published by Larry Taunton
Finally, home!
During my time abroad, I had no time to read, much less to write. Jet lagged as I am, I have a full tank of caffeine and nowhere to go. So now I can devote a bit more time to addressing this crisis and offer you what I hope will be a helpful perspective.
Saturday’s column, “A Word on Faith & Viruses,” got a huge, and overwhelmingly positive, response. Clearly, people are interested in this issue and they are looking for leadership and answers. I want to follow up that piece and warn you about what I feel certain is coming to America and offer a way to process all of this as Christians. Coming from continental Europe, the so-called “Epicenter” of the virus, and seeing what is happening there gives me a very different perspective from that which you are getting here in the USA.
What You Should Expect
I was in Europe from the beginning of this pandemic until Monday, and my sense is that even now Americans don’t really understand the degree of disruption that is coming to their lives and to society as a whole. As I sat writing yesterday at the hotel bar in Miami—if you find this a shoddy essay, I swear that I did not write it while intoxicated—I looked out and saw a lot of people walking, jogging, cycling, and in their cars. It was slightly jarring given what things look like in Europe. Then, this morning I read that 100 million Americans are living under stay-at-home orders. This, too, is somewhat jarring.
The major cities of Southern Europe are in panic mode. In Spain, the country is, for all practical purposes, under martial law. The crackdown came very gradually, almost friendly. A soft encouragement to stay indoors. Spanish police said nothing when they saw you on the streets. Most people didn’t go out. But you still some saw joggers and beachgoers.
Then police vans equipped with loudspeakers drove slowly through the streets telling people to stay inside unless they had an approved reason to do otherwise. A few days later, the military came in and police became somewhat belligerent—even when you had a legal reason for being out—and huge fines were levied on violators.
Tuesday, 31 March 2020
Most Of Us Will Be Fine
The Latest On COVID-19
Mounting evidence suggests that if you don’t smoke or aren’t 70 or older or have underlying health conditions, you’ll be fine—although you can spread it to other, more vulnerable people
Chuck DeVore
The Federalist
The latest information on Coronavirus COVID-19, also known as the Wuhan Flu, from Johns Hopkins University shows widely varying numbers of confirmed cases and apparent mortality rates by nation.
The People’s Republic of China, the virus’ epicenter, was reporting 81,058 cases as of March 17 with 3,230 deaths, with 4.0 percent of those diagnosed subsequently dying. Italy is similarly hard hit, with 31,506 cases and 2,503 deaths for a mortality rate of 7.9 percent of those diagnosed.
Yet South Korea, a nation with frequent, direct contact with people from China, is only showing 8,320 cases of COVID-19 with 81 deaths, a rate of 1.0 percent—likely not too different than can be expected every year from common influenza if one considers the many mild cases who didn’t present to medical personnel.
Different Countries, Different Results
So, why the huge differences in diagnosed cases and mortality, and what does that mean for America? Important factors to consider are government (both competence and transparency), the state of the health-care system (the number of people tested and its critical care system), and the affected population (its age and health).
A stark example of this can be seen in the two Koreas, one free and prosperous, the other enslaved and poor. South Korea’s 8,320 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Flu contrast with none in North Korea. This is a pathogenic impossibility. The COVID-19 numbers out of North Korea are not to be believed for the same reason the survival rate for any North Korean who criticizes paramount leader Kim Jong-un approaches zero: the government controls all information on penalty of death.
Similarly, the People’s Republic of China has a casual association with the truth related to a virus that was first diagnosed in and around the city of Wuhan in Hubei province. In December, Li Wenliang, a Chinese ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, used the WeChat app to warn the medical community about what he thought was an outbreak of a SARS-like (severe acute respiratory syndrome) illness.
SARS is a coronavirus. Li was quickly contacted by police, who admonished him to “stop making false comments.” He was subsequently investigated for “spreading rumors.” Within four days he was ordered to appear at the Public Security Bureau, where he had to sign a false confession that he “severely disturbed the social order.” Local officials later apologized to Li, just before he died from the virus.
At the same time, some 100 miles across the Taiwan Strait, the freely elected Taiwanese government has reported 77 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with one death.
Mounting evidence suggests that if you don’t smoke or aren’t 70 or older or have underlying health conditions, you’ll be fine—although you can spread it to other, more vulnerable people
Chuck DeVore
The Federalist
The latest information on Coronavirus COVID-19, also known as the Wuhan Flu, from Johns Hopkins University shows widely varying numbers of confirmed cases and apparent mortality rates by nation.
The People’s Republic of China, the virus’ epicenter, was reporting 81,058 cases as of March 17 with 3,230 deaths, with 4.0 percent of those diagnosed subsequently dying. Italy is similarly hard hit, with 31,506 cases and 2,503 deaths for a mortality rate of 7.9 percent of those diagnosed.
Yet South Korea, a nation with frequent, direct contact with people from China, is only showing 8,320 cases of COVID-19 with 81 deaths, a rate of 1.0 percent—likely not too different than can be expected every year from common influenza if one considers the many mild cases who didn’t present to medical personnel.
Different Countries, Different Results
So, why the huge differences in diagnosed cases and mortality, and what does that mean for America? Important factors to consider are government (both competence and transparency), the state of the health-care system (the number of people tested and its critical care system), and the affected population (its age and health).
A stark example of this can be seen in the two Koreas, one free and prosperous, the other enslaved and poor. South Korea’s 8,320 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Flu contrast with none in North Korea. This is a pathogenic impossibility. The COVID-19 numbers out of North Korea are not to be believed for the same reason the survival rate for any North Korean who criticizes paramount leader Kim Jong-un approaches zero: the government controls all information on penalty of death.
Similarly, the People’s Republic of China has a casual association with the truth related to a virus that was first diagnosed in and around the city of Wuhan in Hubei province. In December, Li Wenliang, a Chinese ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, used the WeChat app to warn the medical community about what he thought was an outbreak of a SARS-like (severe acute respiratory syndrome) illness.
SARS is a coronavirus. Li was quickly contacted by police, who admonished him to “stop making false comments.” He was subsequently investigated for “spreading rumors.” Within four days he was ordered to appear at the Public Security Bureau, where he had to sign a false confession that he “severely disturbed the social order.” Local officials later apologized to Li, just before he died from the virus.
At the same time, some 100 miles across the Taiwan Strait, the freely elected Taiwanese government has reported 77 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with one death.
Monday, 30 March 2020
A Thin-Skinned Prime Minister
Time For a War-Like Cabinet?
John Armstrong
1-News
There is already chitchat around the political fringes pondering whether the time has arrived for the country’s two major parties to put their ideological differences and tribal loyalties to one side in the national interest, if only temporarily.
There are certainly precedents in New Zealand’s politics for such a rapprochement and the consequent establishment of an all-party Administration to run the country. . . .
Just as the Great Depression of the 1930s was starting to bite — and bite hard — Reform and the United Party agreed to form a governing coalition. The obvious question is what purpose would be had in forming a modern-day equivalent?
What could a Labour-National combo do that the existing Labour-led three-party governing arrangement does not already have the power to do? . . . Why would Ms Ardern even bother contemplating the notion of a power-sharing arrangement with National? Her handling of the second major crisis that she has been forced to confront as Prime Minister has been as flawless as was her similarly impeccable performance during the March 15 terror attack in Christchurch last year. . . .
With the not inconsiderable assistance of Grant Robertson, the Prime Minister has wrenched back control of the political agenda. Ms Ardern is dictating events — though only to the extent that the unpredictability of the virus will allow her.
Mr Bridges and his colleagues are mere bystanders to all this. Listening to what National thinks and what National would do if it were in the position of Ms Ardern and Labour is about the least of voters’ priorities right now.
No matter, Mr Bridges cannot allow himself to be relegated to the sidelines of what has become the biggest crisis confronting the country since WWII.
John Armstrong
1-News
There is already chitchat around the political fringes pondering whether the time has arrived for the country’s two major parties to put their ideological differences and tribal loyalties to one side in the national interest, if only temporarily.
There are certainly precedents in New Zealand’s politics for such a rapprochement and the consequent establishment of an all-party Administration to run the country. . . .
Just as the Great Depression of the 1930s was starting to bite — and bite hard — Reform and the United Party agreed to form a governing coalition. The obvious question is what purpose would be had in forming a modern-day equivalent?
What could a Labour-National combo do that the existing Labour-led three-party governing arrangement does not already have the power to do? . . . Why would Ms Ardern even bother contemplating the notion of a power-sharing arrangement with National? Her handling of the second major crisis that she has been forced to confront as Prime Minister has been as flawless as was her similarly impeccable performance during the March 15 terror attack in Christchurch last year. . . .
With the not inconsiderable assistance of Grant Robertson, the Prime Minister has wrenched back control of the political agenda. Ms Ardern is dictating events — though only to the extent that the unpredictability of the virus will allow her.
Mr Bridges and his colleagues are mere bystanders to all this. Listening to what National thinks and what National would do if it were in the position of Ms Ardern and Labour is about the least of voters’ priorities right now.
No matter, Mr Bridges cannot allow himself to be relegated to the sidelines of what has become the biggest crisis confronting the country since WWII.
Learning From Our Fathers
When the Plague Came to Eyam
Four Lessons for the Church in a time of COVID-19
David Starling
Gospel Coalition Australia
The plague came to Eyam in September 1665, when a tailor’s assistant named George Viccars spread out a bale of damp cloths to dry in front of the fire, releasing a swarm of plague-infected fleas. By the end of the year, 42 of the villagers had died and by the spring of 1666, people were making plans to flee the village and seek shelter elsewhere.
It was at that point that the village’s rector, William Mompesson, intervened, persuading the remaining inhabitants of the village to make a fateful choice: instead of relocating in the hope of finding a safer place to live in one of the neigbouring villages, they would remain and self-isolate, quarantining the entire village from the rest of England to avoid spreading the plague to others. Over the course of the next fourteen months, the plague raged on, exacting a horrifying death toll among them. According to one account, only 83 ended up surviving out of an original population of 350 who had decided to stay, but their decision to remain and risk death together saved the lives of countless others to whom they might otherwise have spread the plague.
Instead of relocating in hope of finding a safer place they would remain and self-isolate, quarantining the entire village from the rest of England to avoid spreading the plague.
The story is a moving and memorable one at many levels, but for Christians living in a time like ours, there are some particular lessons to learn from the way in which the villagers and their minister (along with his wife, Catherine, and his predecessor Thomas Stanley) responded to the crisis. They were, no doubt, all flawed and imperfect people, but their response to the plague was deeply imprinted with the grace and power of the gospel.
Four aspects of their response stand out for me as an example worth imitating in our own time.
Four Lessons for the Church in a time of COVID-19
David Starling
Gospel Coalition Australia
The plague came to Eyam in September 1665, when a tailor’s assistant named George Viccars spread out a bale of damp cloths to dry in front of the fire, releasing a swarm of plague-infected fleas. By the end of the year, 42 of the villagers had died and by the spring of 1666, people were making plans to flee the village and seek shelter elsewhere.
It was at that point that the village’s rector, William Mompesson, intervened, persuading the remaining inhabitants of the village to make a fateful choice: instead of relocating in the hope of finding a safer place to live in one of the neigbouring villages, they would remain and self-isolate, quarantining the entire village from the rest of England to avoid spreading the plague to others. Over the course of the next fourteen months, the plague raged on, exacting a horrifying death toll among them. According to one account, only 83 ended up surviving out of an original population of 350 who had decided to stay, but their decision to remain and risk death together saved the lives of countless others to whom they might otherwise have spread the plague.
Instead of relocating in hope of finding a safer place they would remain and self-isolate, quarantining the entire village from the rest of England to avoid spreading the plague.
The story is a moving and memorable one at many levels, but for Christians living in a time like ours, there are some particular lessons to learn from the way in which the villagers and their minister (along with his wife, Catherine, and his predecessor Thomas Stanley) responded to the crisis. They were, no doubt, all flawed and imperfect people, but their response to the plague was deeply imprinted with the grace and power of the gospel.
Four aspects of their response stand out for me as an example worth imitating in our own time.
Saturday, 28 March 2020
Panicked and Spooked: Unbelief Faces Off Against COVID 19.
A Word on Faith and Viruses
Larry Taunton
I hope this letter finds all of you well and virus-free.
I’d like to say a few words about the coronavirus: the virus itself, the so-called “pandemic,” the panic it has caused, and our faith in Jesus Christ. I hope it will be helpful to you.
The Situation in Europe
As “Your Man in the Field,” I have been abroad for well over a month. Hence the silence these many weeks. This trip has been a long time coming, but it had to wait until I finished my manuscript for my next book (out this autumn) and had delivered it to my publisher. That accomplished, I have been in the UK, North Africa, continental Europe, North Africa again, and now Spain.
Last week, the Spanish government ordered everyone into self-quarantine. This is enforced rigorously. Police are stopping everyone who is outdoors to grill them on their reason for breaking quarantine—a visit to the grocery store, pharmacy, walking the dog, and, hilariously, buying tobacco or smoking it make the approved list. Dogs have never had it so good! People are borrowing them and even renting them just to have an excuse to get outside! The police drive through the streets using loudspeakers to warn people to stay in or face stiff fines (500 – 3,000 euros).
A few days ago, the military began moving in. The country is, for all practical purposes, under martial law. Hotels are, inexplicably, expelling all of their guests on Saturday March 21 (tomorrow). As a result, people are scrambling for a place to go. If you can’t fly home, and hotels are no longer an option, what do you do? The solutions are creative!
Frustratingly, American Airlines (AA) has canceled our flights home. This is because international travelers can only fly to one of 13 approved airports in the US for coronavirus testing, and we were scheduled to fly from Madrid to Philly, and Philly is not one of those airports. No biggie. We rerouted through Miami. But now AA is trying to charge us $12,000 for the tickets! They say we changed the route. Of course, we didn’t do any such thing. They canceled the flight and Philly is closed. So, we had to go elsewhere. We won’t book that. If need be, we will stay here. We are merely inconvenienced. We won’t starve and we won’t run out of oxygen. We trust in a sovereign God and we believe he has us where he wants us. So, we are working on getting home while simultaneously trying to find a place to stay.
The Virus
I am not, of course, a medical expert. But I can read the data, and I have been talking to medical experts who have read the data. Here is what one wrote to me:
Larry Taunton
I hope this letter finds all of you well and virus-free.
I’d like to say a few words about the coronavirus: the virus itself, the so-called “pandemic,” the panic it has caused, and our faith in Jesus Christ. I hope it will be helpful to you.
The Situation in Europe
As “Your Man in the Field,” I have been abroad for well over a month. Hence the silence these many weeks. This trip has been a long time coming, but it had to wait until I finished my manuscript for my next book (out this autumn) and had delivered it to my publisher. That accomplished, I have been in the UK, North Africa, continental Europe, North Africa again, and now Spain.
Last week, the Spanish government ordered everyone into self-quarantine. This is enforced rigorously. Police are stopping everyone who is outdoors to grill them on their reason for breaking quarantine—a visit to the grocery store, pharmacy, walking the dog, and, hilariously, buying tobacco or smoking it make the approved list. Dogs have never had it so good! People are borrowing them and even renting them just to have an excuse to get outside! The police drive through the streets using loudspeakers to warn people to stay in or face stiff fines (500 – 3,000 euros).
A few days ago, the military began moving in. The country is, for all practical purposes, under martial law. Hotels are, inexplicably, expelling all of their guests on Saturday March 21 (tomorrow). As a result, people are scrambling for a place to go. If you can’t fly home, and hotels are no longer an option, what do you do? The solutions are creative!
Frustratingly, American Airlines (AA) has canceled our flights home. This is because international travelers can only fly to one of 13 approved airports in the US for coronavirus testing, and we were scheduled to fly from Madrid to Philly, and Philly is not one of those airports. No biggie. We rerouted through Miami. But now AA is trying to charge us $12,000 for the tickets! They say we changed the route. Of course, we didn’t do any such thing. They canceled the flight and Philly is closed. So, we had to go elsewhere. We won’t book that. If need be, we will stay here. We are merely inconvenienced. We won’t starve and we won’t run out of oxygen. We trust in a sovereign God and we believe he has us where he wants us. So, we are working on getting home while simultaneously trying to find a place to stay.
The Virus
I am not, of course, a medical expert. But I can read the data, and I have been talking to medical experts who have read the data. Here is what one wrote to me:
Christian Courage Vs Vainglorious Display
Coronavirus, Courage, and the Second Temptation of Christ
Discerning the difference between courage, cowardice, and recklessness.
David French
[We hope you are enjoying the Sunday French Press. The newsletter is free for now, but to get the full range of reporting and analysis from The Dispatch (and every edition of the French Press) please become a member today.]
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
—Matthew 4:5-7
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
—Matthew 16:24-26On March 7, a Christian school not far from my home held a fundraiser, an event full of faithful believers gathered for a virtuous purpose. One person in attendance had COVID-19. Now two dozen people at that event have tested positive, including a dear friend of mine. His wife is symptomatic. Several children are also symptomatic. The faith of these Christian believers was no shield against viral infection.
I thought of this event as I continue to see a division within America’s religious community. Thousands of churches are shutting down, and pastors are struggling to find ways to minister to communities that are increasingly living behind closed doors. But there is resistance. Writing in the American Conservative, Rod Dreher highlighted this story of Baton Rouge pastor Tony Spell openly defying Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people at a time:
“It’s not a concern,” Spell said of the virus. “The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says those violating the governor’s proclamation could face prosecution as a last resort. Reverend Spell is not concerned with that and boasted he had an even larger crowd this past weekend, days after the governor’s proclamation was issued. “I had 1,170 in attendance Sunday,” Spell said. “We have 27 buses on Sundays picking up people in a five-parish area."
The story noted that a different Baton Rouge church was also defying the governor’s order. At still another church, a pastor encouraged people to greet each other and said that his Bible school was open because they’re “raising up revivalists, not pansies.”
Right-wing pastor Rodney Howard-Browne is not about to cancel church or prevent congregants from shaking hands because they are not a bunch of "pansies." In a more sophisticated (and cautious) context, First Things editor Rusty Reno critiqued Catholic dioceses for suspending public Masses and wrote that America should “keep the churches open”:
In truth, I am demoralized by the Catholic Church’s response to what Ephraim Radner calls “the Time of the Virus.” Those of us who live in densely populated areas are aware of the intense anxiety and fear that has become pervasive. The massive shutdown of just about everything reflects the spirit of our age, which regards the prospect of death as the supreme evil to be avoided at all costs. St. Paul observed that Christ came to free us from our bondage to sin and death. This does not mean we will not sin or die. It means that we need not live in fear.
Thursday, 26 March 2020
When the Dust Settles
China Boomeranging
Its bad behavior in the wake of COVID-19 will leave it in its weakest global position in memory. And the U.S. will emerge stronger.
Victor Davis Hanson
National Review Online
Sometime in late November the Chinese Communist Party apparat was aware that the ingredients of some sort of an epidemic were brewing in Wuhan. Soon after, it was also clear to them that a new type of coronavirus was on the loose, a threat they might have taken more seriously given the similar Chinese origins of the prior toxic SARS coronavirus and the resources of a Level 4 virology lab nearby.
Yet the government initially hid all that knowledge from its own people in particular and in general from the world at large. Translated into American terms, that disingenuousness ensured that over 10,000 Chinese nationals and foreigners living in China flew every day on direct flights into the United States (Washington and California especially) from late November to the beginning of February, until the Trump travel ban of January 31.
All this laxity was also known to the Communist apparat in Beijing, which must have been amused when Trump was roundly damned by his liberal critics as a xenophobe and racist for finally daring to stop the influx on January 31 — the first major leader to enact such a total ban.
Yet, no thanks to the Chinese, America, so far, has been comparatively lucky — despite the grave risks of damaging a multi-trillion-dollar economy with the strictest quarantining, isolation policies, and social distancing in its history. Half the country lives in the interior away from ports of entry on the coasts. Medical care, sanitation, hygiene, and meat markets operate on different premises than in China, the supposed fated global hegemon. Transparency in a consensual society together with a free-market economy is encouraging tens of millions of citizens to work in tandem and independently to figure out creative ways to ameliorate the epidemic, politically, medically, socially, and economically. The result is that as of mid-March, the U.S., the world’s foremost immigration destination and among the most visited of nations, had suffered fewer virus fatalities than some European countries a fifth or sixth of its population size.
No doubt when mass testing begins, the figures of known cases will soar, and fatalities will rise. Yet while we know pretty well the number of Americans who have died from the virus, we have in truth little idea of how many now carry it or how many have recovered from it, without knowing what sickened them or even whether they were ostensibly sick at all. In other words, the rate of new cases identified by testing may exceed the rate of new deaths, apprising us of a more precise — and perhaps lower — degree of viral toxicity.
Whereas annual flu toxicity is adjudicated by modeling case numbers, and by sophisticated and learned guesses at the number of likely infections, so far the death rate of the coronavirus is calibrated a bit differently — apparently predicated both on known deaths and known cases. When we make facile comparisons between the flu and coronaviruses, they may prove valid, but for now it’s still wise to remember that annual flu cases could be fewer than what is guessed at through modeling each year, and corona infections may be higher than the current known numbers of confirmed positives. The former reality might mean that the flu is at times a little more lethal than we think and the corona virus a little less deadly. That is not to suggest that most strains of flu are as lethal as the coronavirus, only that for the vast majority of Americans the current U.S. COVID-19 case-to-fatality ratio of 2 percent may eventually prove less, and influenza’s commonly cited 0.01 lethality rate may prove higher. In any case, 98–99 percent of Americans may well recover from the coronavirus — a rate that is not typical of most of history’s plagues.
Its bad behavior in the wake of COVID-19 will leave it in its weakest global position in memory. And the U.S. will emerge stronger.
Victor Davis Hanson
National Review Online
Sometime in late November the Chinese Communist Party apparat was aware that the ingredients of some sort of an epidemic were brewing in Wuhan. Soon after, it was also clear to them that a new type of coronavirus was on the loose, a threat they might have taken more seriously given the similar Chinese origins of the prior toxic SARS coronavirus and the resources of a Level 4 virology lab nearby.
Yet the government initially hid all that knowledge from its own people in particular and in general from the world at large. Translated into American terms, that disingenuousness ensured that over 10,000 Chinese nationals and foreigners living in China flew every day on direct flights into the United States (Washington and California especially) from late November to the beginning of February, until the Trump travel ban of January 31.
All this laxity was also known to the Communist apparat in Beijing, which must have been amused when Trump was roundly damned by his liberal critics as a xenophobe and racist for finally daring to stop the influx on January 31 — the first major leader to enact such a total ban.
Yet, no thanks to the Chinese, America, so far, has been comparatively lucky — despite the grave risks of damaging a multi-trillion-dollar economy with the strictest quarantining, isolation policies, and social distancing in its history. Half the country lives in the interior away from ports of entry on the coasts. Medical care, sanitation, hygiene, and meat markets operate on different premises than in China, the supposed fated global hegemon. Transparency in a consensual society together with a free-market economy is encouraging tens of millions of citizens to work in tandem and independently to figure out creative ways to ameliorate the epidemic, politically, medically, socially, and economically. The result is that as of mid-March, the U.S., the world’s foremost immigration destination and among the most visited of nations, had suffered fewer virus fatalities than some European countries a fifth or sixth of its population size.
No doubt when mass testing begins, the figures of known cases will soar, and fatalities will rise. Yet while we know pretty well the number of Americans who have died from the virus, we have in truth little idea of how many now carry it or how many have recovered from it, without knowing what sickened them or even whether they were ostensibly sick at all. In other words, the rate of new cases identified by testing may exceed the rate of new deaths, apprising us of a more precise — and perhaps lower — degree of viral toxicity.
Whereas annual flu toxicity is adjudicated by modeling case numbers, and by sophisticated and learned guesses at the number of likely infections, so far the death rate of the coronavirus is calibrated a bit differently — apparently predicated both on known deaths and known cases. When we make facile comparisons between the flu and coronaviruses, they may prove valid, but for now it’s still wise to remember that annual flu cases could be fewer than what is guessed at through modeling each year, and corona infections may be higher than the current known numbers of confirmed positives. The former reality might mean that the flu is at times a little more lethal than we think and the corona virus a little less deadly. That is not to suggest that most strains of flu are as lethal as the coronavirus, only that for the vast majority of Americans the current U.S. COVID-19 case-to-fatality ratio of 2 percent may eventually prove less, and influenza’s commonly cited 0.01 lethality rate may prove higher. In any case, 98–99 percent of Americans may well recover from the coronavirus — a rate that is not typical of most of history’s plagues.
Neither Brash Nor Foolhardy
Martin Luther and the Black Plague
March 18, 2020 By
This is what Martin Luther wrote to his fellow Christians as they navigated a local bubonic plague:
“You ought to think this way: ‘I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.
If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.’ See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
COVID19 The Christian Response
Should Christians Be Anxious About the Coronavirus?
Todd Wagner©
Gospel Coalition
[Author’s note: Since this article was originally published, authorities have increased their concern and the author agrees that our vigilance in preventing the spread of COVID-19 should appropriately increase as well. The heightened concern, however, only makes the truths below more important. Respect for others who are more susceptible to illness (including the elderly and immune-deficient) should cause us to operate with prudence and compassionate care, all the while modeling the strength and hope characteristic of those who know Christ (Prov. 24:10). Christ followers should also model compassion for those who choose to respond differently or react more strongly to circumstances and events (Prov. 18:2). Be gracious toward others. Continue to lead and minister in ways that express your God-given gifts. Recognize there is some subjectivity in responding to this crisis, even among those listening to and seeking God’s wisdom. Because Christians are citizens of heaven, filled with the strength and peace of Christ, we should be the best citizens on earth. I pray the principles below will help you do that.]
With the increasing coronavirus cases outside of China, many believers across the United States wonder how to respond to the increasing alarm. What would God have us do in the face of a growing international health crisis? Should our churches close their doors for fear of spreading illness? Should I take my kids out of school? Cancel travel plans?
How should we help a panicked world?
Todd Wagner©
Gospel Coalition
[Author’s note: Since this article was originally published, authorities have increased their concern and the author agrees that our vigilance in preventing the spread of COVID-19 should appropriately increase as well. The heightened concern, however, only makes the truths below more important. Respect for others who are more susceptible to illness (including the elderly and immune-deficient) should cause us to operate with prudence and compassionate care, all the while modeling the strength and hope characteristic of those who know Christ (Prov. 24:10). Christ followers should also model compassion for those who choose to respond differently or react more strongly to circumstances and events (Prov. 18:2). Be gracious toward others. Continue to lead and minister in ways that express your God-given gifts. Recognize there is some subjectivity in responding to this crisis, even among those listening to and seeking God’s wisdom. Because Christians are citizens of heaven, filled with the strength and peace of Christ, we should be the best citizens on earth. I pray the principles below will help you do that.]
With the increasing coronavirus cases outside of China, many believers across the United States wonder how to respond to the increasing alarm. What would God have us do in the face of a growing international health crisis? Should our churches close their doors for fear of spreading illness? Should I take my kids out of school? Cancel travel plans?
How should we help a panicked world?
Let’s Be Honest.
Impeachment Hurt Trump’s Response to Coronavirus.
Henry Olsen
Columnist
Washington Post
President Trump has been roundly criticized for allegedly failing to prepare for the coronavirus crisis before it arrived in the United States. Those critics conveniently overlook something else that could have been distracting the president’s attention during that crucial period: impeachment.
It seems forever ago, but Trump’s impeachment was the major story in January and early February — the same time that disease was forcing China to lock down cities. Despite the near certainty that Republicans would not vote to convict the president, Democrats and most of the major media were almost entirely focused on impeachment. As a result, the White House was focused on addressing this threat to its survival, not on preparing for a threat from China that might never even materialize.
Trump’s efforts to prepare the nation for this pandemic has been far from perfect, but the one thing the president did do to stop the virus’s spread to the United States during that period — stopping air travel from China — was heavily criticized.
Henry Olsen
Columnist
Washington Post
President Trump has been roundly criticized for allegedly failing to prepare for the coronavirus crisis before it arrived in the United States. Those critics conveniently overlook something else that could have been distracting the president’s attention during that crucial period: impeachment.
It seems forever ago, but Trump’s impeachment was the major story in January and early February — the same time that disease was forcing China to lock down cities. Despite the near certainty that Republicans would not vote to convict the president, Democrats and most of the major media were almost entirely focused on impeachment. As a result, the White House was focused on addressing this threat to its survival, not on preparing for a threat from China that might never even materialize.
Trump’s efforts to prepare the nation for this pandemic has been far from perfect, but the one thing the president did do to stop the virus’s spread to the United States during that period — stopping air travel from China — was heavily criticized.
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
Walking in His Steps
Should Christians Be Anxious About the Coronavirus?
Todd Wagner
The Gospel Coalition
With the increasing coronavirus cases outside of China, many believers across the United States wonder how to respond to the increasing alarm. What would God have us do in the face of a growing international health crisis? Should our churches close their doors for fear of spreading illness? Should I take my kids out of school? Cancel travel plans?
How should we help a panicked world?
Remember What We Know
First, it’s important to be reminded about what we already know.
Todd Wagner
The Gospel Coalition
Author’s note: Since this article was originally published, authorities have increased their concern and the author agrees that our vigilance in preventing the spread of COVID-19 should appropriately increase as well. The heightened concern, however, only makes the truths below more important. Respect for others who are more susceptible to illness (including the elderly and immune-deficient) should cause us to operate with prudence and compassionate care, all the while modeling the strength and hope characteristic of those who know Christ (Prov. 24:10). Christ followers should also model compassion for those who choose to respond differently or react more strongly to circumstances and events (Prov. 18:2). Be gracious toward others. Continue to lead and minister in ways that express your God-given gifts. Recognize there is some subjectivity in responding to this crisis, even among those listening to and seeking God’s wisdom. Because Christians are citizens of heaven, filled with the strength and peace of Christ, we should be the best citizens on earth. I pray the principles below will help you do that.
With the increasing coronavirus cases outside of China, many believers across the United States wonder how to respond to the increasing alarm. What would God have us do in the face of a growing international health crisis? Should our churches close their doors for fear of spreading illness? Should I take my kids out of school? Cancel travel plans?
How should we help a panicked world?
Remember What We Know
First, it’s important to be reminded about what we already know.
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