What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization named the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. It’s the first time the WHO has called a viral disease a pandemic since the H1N1 “swine flu” in 2009.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.”

It is spread through “respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.”

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Current, COVID-19 is affecting 210 countries and territories around the world. There have been over 1.8 million reported cases, with the death toll exceeding 115,000. Although to date over 434,000 people have recovered, some patients have developed pneumonia in or both lungs and/or multi-organ failure.

In an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus, governments have shut down businesses, issued travel bans, and called for social gatherings to stop. This is an unprecedented season devoid of going to the movie theaters, eating out at restaurants and seeing loved ones. Instead, millions of people around the world now live each day in self-quarantine at home.

All of this has major economic, social, and emotional consequences. Unemployment is at an all-time high and the U.S. Dow logged some of its largest stock market declines in history. Additionally, reports are surging of a 25% rise in suspected cases of child abuse and domestic violence. This is a tragic reality that has been seen before during stressful times when families are in close quarters. Suicide prevention experts also say it's reasonable to expect that social distancing and quarantines will lead to increased suicide risk for certain populations. Our world is suffering, and anxiety about health, education, and finances is at an all-time high.

What are we to do in the face of a growing international health crisis?

How should live in a panicked world?

Here are 3 ways to help you protect yourself and ease anxiety surrounding coronavirus.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-10. Since coronavirus is primarily spread from person-to-person, some medical experts contend that it is especially important to take social precautions. This means staying home as much as you can, keeping a safe 6-feet distance from others, washing your hands often, wearing a face mask, disinfecting your home, and covering your mouth when you cough. You also want to make sure you’re eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables that are packed with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, C, and D.

For many people, the impact of the fear of the coronavirus is just as bad or worse than the virus itself. This is why it is so important to take periodic breaks from TV, social media, and all of the noise surrounding the outbreak. Read a book, listen to calming music, cook a new meal or start a house project. Getting your creativity going will greatly help your mental state during this time. Also, check in with your loved ones via the means of technology provided to you. A good video chat with a close friend or family member may do wonders to help lift your spirits and keep you encouraged.

If there’s anything a global crisis teaches us, it’s that human beings are fragile and limited in their control. Everyone is trying their best to reduce the spread of the virus, but our efforts only go so far. In this circumstance, the words of the Bible ring true: As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more” (Psalm 103:15-16).

The sad reality is that humans face sickness and death. This is because when Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin entered the world and death with it (Genesis 3). Since then, our world has been plagued with suffering, sorrow, guilt, pain, and panic.

To make matters worse, we face a virus even more aggressive and contagious than coronavirus. It’s called sin, and everyone is affected by it. It’s the reason why we lie, steal, cheat, murder, lust, and slander. It’s the reason we hurt ourselves and others. It’s the reason we can say, “nobody is perfect.” It’s also the reason there is disease in the world.

Sin is missing the mark of God’s standard of total perfection and holiness. Every sin we commit, whether in thought or action, is a violation of God’s law and nature. Sin is horrifically grievous because it is against God, who Himself is the very essence of good. Sin asserts ourselves as god rather than loving and serving the One who made us and knows what’s best for us. Sin worships the creation rather than the Creator. Therefore, God’s wrath and justice is upon us. We must pay the penalty: death.

Sin is a virus that ends not only in certain death here on earth, but eternal death. Humanity, according to the Bible, is overcome with the pandemic of sin. None are outside of its grip. What hope do you have in the face of this more severe outbreak?

This is our great hope.

Though mankind became infected with the virus of sin, Jesus, fully God and fully man, entered this world to save us from sin’s horrific outcome. Jesus lived among unhealthy people, identifying with our sufferings by experiencing the same temptations and trials. Though He suffered like us, He never gave into sin. Instead, He took the virus upon Himself on a cross along with its consequences. He died for our sins in our place so that we wouldn’t have to face eternal death. He rose from the dead, forever proclaiming that death has been defeated and that the penalty due to us because of our sin has indeed been paid. This is the antidote for humanity’s greatest problem. We must reach out our hands to this cure by repenting of our sins, and trusting alone in Jesus Christ as our Deliverer.

Jesus is the only way to a right relationship with God, true peace & joy, and everlasting life.

Reflect on the words of our Savior: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

• https://www.worldometers.info/ coronavirus/ ?#countries
• https://www.nytimes.com/ 2020/ 04/ 07/ opinion/ coronavirus-child-abuse.html
• https://www.usatoday.com/ story/ news/ nation/ 2020/ 03/ 23/ coronavirus-pandemic-isolation-fear-job-loss-triggers-suicide/ 2871949001/
• The CDC coronavirus 2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
• https://www.cnn.com/ 2020/ 03/ 25/ health/ immunity-diet-food-coronavirus-drayer-wellness/ index.html