The Spread of COVID-19

Unless you’ve really hard-headed, it’s pretty difficult to argue with these statistics and visual examples.

How Coronavirus Spreads Through a Population

The illustrations pinpoint the R0 factor (basic reproduction number), and indicate how many new cases one infected person generates. There are also examples on how the virus compares with other diseases (you may be surprised).

Science and Christian Faith

Just came across this article written by an individual who was educated at a conservative seminary, trained as a minister, and served as a pastor. 

To get an idea why I found the article worth sharing, here is one of the author’s leading statements:

From Darwin to COVID the church has been wrong. 

Wow! That statement … coming from a believer? Will wonders never cease!

Here is what he says towards the end of the article: 

There is nothing to fear from scientific data and proper research. There is something to fear from the fearful and ignorant. Anyone who is not willing to question their own belief structure, or anyone that remains in their own echo chamber, is dangerous. That is why there is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. It is expressing the fear of people who claim to have none.

If you are a person who recognizes the dangers of COVID-19 and its variants — and finds it mind-boggling that Christians refuse vaccines (!) — I think you will find this article very refreshing. 

Take a gander …

Evangelicals, science and the vaccine:
Refusal is built on deep-seated fear

**************************************
Image by Jeyaratnam Caniceus from Pixabay

COVID … and Family

Had a text conversation with my daughter last night. A segment of our conversation turned to COVID and vaccines. Since most of you know my position on this matter, I thought you might find HER take on things interesting. (We don’t agree.)

Following are some snippets of our conversation in which she shares some information about my grandkids. I’ve changed their names “to protect the innocent”:

Daughter:

How are you guys? You’ve averted Covid I take it? “Fran” (a granddaughter who lives in Arkansas) has it right now and she’s ridiculously miserable! “Nancy” (a granddaughter who lives in Colorado) got it but it wasn’t too bad for her. None of the rest of us (5 others) have gotten it.

Me:

We’re fine … we are being VERY careful. Both of us are vaccinated. Were Fran and Nancy being careful?

Daughter:

As careful as anybody else. All the kids wear masks but “Brad” (grandson who lives in CA) is the only one that’s gotten vaccinated. I don’t want my girls (four in total) to because I don’t wanna mess up their ability to have children and the vaccine is just being given to people and we are the guinea pigs. They are adults however and they can make their own decision but at this point they all decided not to get the vaccine.

I know several people that swore they had it in late 2019 and early 2020. But funny story if they had it, they got it again in late 2020 and early 2021. But I have many friends that have gotten the vaccine and still get the virus, and are still very very sick. They haven’t ended up in the hospital but they are miserable. You wouldn’t expect any of them to end up in the hospital however because they are young and in very good shape.

We could debate that all day so we’ll just let it rest.

Me:

Yup!

I think the “politics” of my daughter and family is pretty obvious (except perhaps my grandson 🤞).

In any event, I’m seriously hoping the granddaughter who lives in Arkansas doesn’t get any worse as it is one of the states that is running out of (or already has) ICU beds … !

****************************
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

Non-Mask-Wearers

As indicated in several of my previous blog posts, I’m a firm believer in mask-wearing during the COVID crisis – and have outlined my reasons for supporting this position.

Nevertheless … I’m well aware that not everyone cares enough about themselves, their family members, their friends and/or the people they come in contact with to heed the recommendations and urgings of health care professionals related to mask-wearing.

Moreover, I fully recognize that for some, personal freedom ranks far above caring and concern for others.

What I don’t understand is why it’s so important for these non-mask-wearers to stop other people from wearing a mask. In fact, I recently read where a non-mask-wearer actually walked up to a person with a mask and ripped it from their face!

In another incidence, it was reported that non-mask-wearers gathered together in front of a store that required masks and attempted to block people from entering.

Even more astounding are the political leaders of certain states who have actually passed legislation that orders their constituents to be non-mask-wearers.

What’s up with all this? Do some people have a “Homo Stupidus” gene that has suddenly become dominant?

I sometimes wonder what the non-mask-wearers would do if they were to become infected with the virus and  healthcare facilities chose to deny help to anyone who was a non-mask-wearer.

After all … what’s the difference? It’s all about FREE-DUMB. Right?

Re: Covid Deniers

Will Rogers said it best:

“When ignorance gets started it knows no bounds.”