Szdfan wrote:For those who are keeping track, coronavirus has hit 132,500 cases worldwide with 5000 fatalities (3.7%). 1660 cases in the US with at least 40 fatalities (2.5%).
I am not trying to minimize the virus and those who have died from it. I am just trying to put things into perspective. We, as a species do need to address it and do what we can to minimize the danger and affects.
CDC uses mathematical modeling in combination with data from traditional flu surveillance systems to estimate the numbers of flu illnesses in the United States. CDC estimates that flu has resulted in between 9.3 million and 49 million illnesses each year in the United States since 2010.
As with most viruses, most will get it and get over it.
I have no issue with people preparing, I am a bit of a prepper myself. I also know that there is One who is greater than all our fears. I also think, we as followers of Jesus, should not be so fearful of loosing this world.
We are called to live in faith, not in fear. So much of what I see, even in this thread, is reactions in fear. Let us be intelligent and do what we can to minimize others suffering and chances of getting ill, but if we are fearful of some virus while not being strong in our faith of One who knows the hairs on my head, I may be reading the wrong materials.
Now is a time that the church of Jesus Christ can shine as the beacon on the hill. Those who are compassionate and caring for others. Those who share and care without regard for their own safety. Those who live by confidence of salvation, not be fear of disease.
Yes, I want the president and Congress to work and do what they can to help, but my faith is not in them. I know that they are a human construct and will not be perfect and get it all right. I know the One who will.
I mostly agree with your comments on fear and I completely agree that Christians should rely on God and be light in the midst of a crisis. I affirm what you’re saying here.
I also think it's important to try to tell the truth when we try to comfort or assure people and not use misleading or incorrect information. I don't think you're intentionally trying to minimize the crisis, but I think you are offering misleading information in an attempt to offer assurance at a time when people are minimizing the crisis using the same arguments you are.
I think comparing COVID-19 to influenza and the seasonal flu is misleading. It’s not an accurate comparison. I also think it’s statistically unreliable to compare the fatality rates between an illness with decades of data with an illness that four months ago nobody knew existed.
Chinese businessman to donate 500,000 test kits and 1 million masks to the U.S.
Asia’s richest man announced his intention on Friday to ship 500,000 testing kits and 1 million masks to the U.S. in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Jack Ma’s charitable foundation and his China-based company's foundation, the Alibaba Foundation, have also sourced and donated supplies to other countries being hit by the virus, including Japan, Korea, Italy, Iran and Spain.
The donation comes amid testing delays across the U.S. as state officials scramble amid a shortage of lab materials — sparking concerns that health officials are undercounting the number of Americans with the virus.
“Drawing from my own country’s experience, speedy and accurate testing and adequate personal protective equipment for medical professionals are most effective in preventing the spread of the virus,” the statement said. “We hope that our donation can help Americans fight against the pandemic!”
Ma’s announcement also comes as Trump aides and allies cast blame on China, with some officials calling it “the Wuhan virus” — a reference to the Chinese city that is the epicenter of the disease. National security adviser Robert O’Brien has accused China of covering up a health crisis, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has labeled the outbreak the “Wuhan coronavirus.”
“The crisis presents a huge challenge to all humankind in a globalized world. The pandemic we face today can no longer be resolved by any individual country,” Ma said in the statement. “Rather, we need to combat the virus by working hand-in-hand. At this moment, we can’t beat this virus unless we eliminate boundaries to resources and share our know-how and hard-earned lessons.”
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A fool can throw out more questions than a wise man can answer. -RZehr
My wife works for Kaiser Permanente which is the largest HMO chain on the west coast. Here in WA they are closing all of their normal primary care facilities and shifting all ordinary primary care to telemedicine and virtual video consults. So she will be working from home next week. I think they are getting ready to convert all of their clinic locations into coronavirus care wards and that sort of thing. Plus I think they want to avoid virus getting spread in crowded waiting rooms and clinics. They will keep crews staffed for ER and Urgent Care visits, but all routine exams, checkups, consults, etc. are now shifting online. If you aren't injured or dying they don't want to see you at the clinic or hospital.
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A fool can throw out more questions than a wise man can answer. -RZehr
Age breakdown of the death rates in Italy. This info is from a video conference held by JAMA. Only 2 reported deaths under age 50 and none under age 30. This is almost entirely striking the elderly. If you are an elderly male, this is VERY deadly.
Source: Helen Branswell, senior reporter for StatNews:
NOTE: I'm not sure what the different columns mean. % vs CFR (clinical fatality rate)
Last edited by Ken on Fri Mar 13, 2020 4:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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A fool can throw out more questions than a wise man can answer. -RZehr
This piece from Rev. Michael Nabors is helpful in how it emphasizes concern for the most vulnerable:
Rev. Michael Nabors wrote:
Dear People,
As you already know, a pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization related to the global outbreak and spread of COVID-19. I have many friends on Facebook and I post an awful lot. Generally, the posts are about politics and politicians, Black people and racism. There is a sense within me now, that this post is probably the most important one ever. I will try to be very brief (which is hard for me to do).
COVID-19 is as dangerous a virus as any we have ever seen. It is hideous in its pernicious ability to attack the vulnerable, finding its way deeply into the lungs of the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, and particularly those with upper respiratory health challenges.
Most of our Black churches are filled with people who are aptly described in the above paragraph. Our seniors are at risk in ways that makes the KKK pale in comparison (although the KKK cannot get any paler). Our sick are also at the same level of risk. History shows that Black people and minorities are always the last to be assisted and aided during health crises in our nation. This was true of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
We cannot take a posture of wait and see. We cannot rely on our government to lead the way. We must act now. You are a leader among your people. Strongly encourage them to take the necessary steps to care for themselves; Wash your hands with soap multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds per wash. Get plenty of sleep. Drink plenty of water and eat more fruits and vegetables. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid people who are sick. Stay home when you feel yourself getting sick. Cover your cough or sneeze. Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that you touch.
For Black Churches-
1) Every black church must make a contingency plan immediately. Pastors and church leaders must now tell their seniors over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions and upper respiratory challenges, to consider remaining home rather than attending service. At the same time, stop all community contact in church- handshaking, kissing on the cheek and physical contact. Make sure your trustees are using latex gloves to count money. Do not pass an offering plate to be touched by multiple hands. Do not pass a communion plate for the same reason. Wipe all communal surfaces with disinfectant.
2) When COVID-19 worsens in your area, you must be diligent. Do not allow seniors and the sick to attend worship, if you are still allowed to worship. But create other opportunities for them to be blessed by your church. Livestream your services. If you don't have livestream, have someone record it by phone and put in on Facebook. Make sure your seniors have computers, iPads or phones to tune in. Immediately connect your giving to your Website or use GivePlus, or set up a system for members to text their gifts.
3) Prepare to shut your church doors in the event that your town, city or state gives this mandate. This means you will have to be uniquely creative. Talk to your staff and personnel about this and make plans for them. Preach your sermon via, ZOOM. Use a conference call line. Prepare your Minister of Music and Choir Director for providing music and song, off site. You will have to have bible study, prayer gatherings and other activities through information technology. Get ready for it. Do not allow COVID-19 to prevent God from blessing our people.
Finally, never, ever give up hope or assurance that the God we serve, did not bring us this far, to leave us. At the same time, this is very real. And life has already begun to change. For people of color, we must save our seniors. We must save ourselves too.
