As far as the current Coronavirus pandemic is concerned, we need to create awareness about what we need to do, and why. At the same time, we might actually need to have disincentives like, just make it a criminal offence for people to meet that in many numbers. At least out of fear people will stop doing that. We need to take the government regulations seriously and medical recommendations on hygiene (e.g., hand-washing) seriously.
Understanding the Virus
There are three qualities that decide how bad the disease is going to be. They are,
- The Mode of Spread: Any disease that spreads through respiratory secretions always tends to spread faster. The virus is there in the cough and the sneeze, and it is extremely difficult to have one hundred per cent hand hygiene or cough etiquette.
- The Infectiousness: There is something called R0 (basic reproductive rate) which decides how infectious each virus is going to be. Technically, this number means that during the disease period, in any patient, how many other people will this patient infect. Now, that is the infectiousness of the virus. The infection rate of Coronavirus is high. And that is the reason why this entire concept of social distancing and avoid physical touch.
- The Mortality rate: This means the percentage of affected people who die. The case fatality rate has changed from country to country. Most of those who contract Coronavirus get a mild form of the disease and get well, but a small percent die.
Our Response
How do we, as disciples of Jesus, respond to this situation?
- The Word: The Prophets and many of the Psalms speak to people who are caught up in mass hysteria or subject to pandemics. We may need the current cultural moment precisely the hermeneutic to read the Old Testament, which can otherwise feel so foreign, deeply for the first time.
- Our Real Faith: Times of public panic force us to align our professed belief with our actual belief. We all say that we believe, God is sovereign and he is taking care of us. But we reveal our true trust when the world goes into meltdown. What is really our heart’s deepest loyalty? The answer is forced to the surface in times of public alarm, such as we are wading into now.
- Reaching out in Love: When the economy is tanking, opportunities come up to surprise our neighbours with our confidence and joy. Now, is the time to be more outgoing, to be loving more, to be hospitable more. Love stands out strongest when it is least expected, rarest, but needed most.
- Indomitable Providence: No infected molecule can enter our lungs, unless sent by the hand of a heavenly Father. The Christian faith defines God’s providence. All things come to us not by chance but by His father love and care. Like an inhaler, hope in God’s providence, calms us down, allows us to breathe again.
- Heart of Jesus: In times of turmoil, in seasons of distress, Jesus is more feelingly with his people than ever. Jesus experienced all the horror of this world that we do. We can go to him. We can sit with him. His arm is around us, stronger than ever, right now as we go through strange days, days of fear, days of panic. His passion and His death are larger than ours. His Sacred Heart is loving and longing for each one us to quench our thirsts.
- Heavenly Assurance: The cautions are wise. Our bodies are mortal, vulnerable. But our souls, for those united to the risen Christ, are beyond the reach of all eternal danger. How blessed we are, who are in Christ. Be at peace in Christ. All is assured in His unconditional love.
Fr John Singarayar SVD
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