Coronavirus - How Should We Live?

The Coronavirus COVID-19 Threat

Other than “Super-Tuesday” for the Democrats, nothing seems to be of more concern to folks right now than this virus. In places like California, supermarkets are emptying out. For some reason, the article people are hoarding the most is toilet paper! We actually do NOT get our TP from China, there is no shortage of it and is unlikely to be, and as someone pointed out online, if you don’t have what goes in the other end it isn’t a problem you need worry about! Food is more important. Sanitizers seem to be the second most popular item, which makes a bit more sense. Soap and water is actually more effective though.

The virus has also been politicized and people are taking the same extreme positions they do in politics. On one extreme are those who are saying “everyone is going to die” and recommending isolating oneself from society, hoarding enough supplies to outlast the virus (impossible for most of us who don’t have that kind of money and who have to go out to work and get a paycheck). On the other extreme are those who claim there is no real danger, the media has been over-hyping the contagion, and that the regular flu is more dangerous. Neither position is true. Politicians are already exploiting it to give them an advantage in the upcoming election. Don’t believe much unless you can check it out with medical and scientific sources.

Other than taking reasonable precautions such as not going out any more than necessary, staying at least 3 feet from others, not shaking hands or hugging (and kissing), wearing gloves and/or washing your hands often, avoiding touching things many people touch like doorknobs and elevator buttons, regularly sanitizing surfaces in your home that get touched often (doorknobs, computer keyboards, cellphones, control knobs, tv remotes, car keys, steering wheels and door latches, etc.), and keeping your hands away from your face – which is extraordinarily hard to do – (masks do help there), there isn’t much you can do. Avoiding places where sick people congregate – doctors’ waiting rooms and hospitals – helps if you can do it. Many of us can’t, and others like health care workers and first responders have to take the risk.

This virus seems to hit people over 50 hardest, the older you are the more risk you are in. My wife and I fall into the high risk segment of the population. Children under 9 seem to hardly get sick, though there is a suspicion they can carry it and spread it to others without getting sick themselves.

The best prediction I have found indicates that this will spread exponentially and peak in late March or the first half of April at about 13 million new infections a day (worldwide), then taper off. However, no one really knows for sure. If it doesn’t spread as fast it may be longer before it peaks. It could come in waves, as the 1918/19 Spanish flu did. The second wave of that (out of 3), in Summer/Fall 1918, was the worst. The 3 waves seem to have affected different age groups, also. That flu killed about 50 million people in the end. The ongoing war at the time, and government cover-ups to avoid harming the war effort, made it worse than it had to be. (At present, we have to look out for government cover-ups to protect the stock market and the economy).

Business meetings can be moved to the internet, and it can also largely replace travel.

As a Christian, while taking what precautions my wife and I can afford, I can’t just lock myself away from the world. People will need help with various things, there are things that still have to be done, and we still need to fellowship with others and pray together – though the internet and phone can help with the last for the duration. Trust in the Lord, not in Government (which is largely reacting at this time and has no solutions they are willing to employ), not in yourself – and be willing to do what Jesus directs you to do and go where He tells you to go. Pray especially.