To the Editor:
The more facts we learn about the mysterious coronavirus (now called COVID-19) the more we find out we were wrong about it. When the virus first began to spread in China, experts wrongly said it was very unlikely human to human transmission could take place. Now we know for a fact the virus spreads from person to person very easily. At first experts wrongly advised we shouldn’t be afraid to touch a surface an infected person touched because the virus couldn’t spread from a surface. Now scientists discovered the virus can live for nine days on a smooth surface. This is four times longer than the flu which survives for only two days. As a result the Chinese began cleaning their money. This means one could get it from their mail and even the gas pump. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a 14 day quarantine for those suspected of having the virus. Now a new report by 37 Chinese experts suggest 14 days may not be enough because researchers discovered the incubation for some patients can be up to 24 days. They even discovered those who recover from being infected with the virus could get again. Based on what we now know coronavirus is going to be much harder than we first believed to contain and stop its spread to the majority of the global population!
With all diseases those having a compromised or weaker immune system are going to be most vulnerable. Some doctors say being around 5G weakens ones immune system. Some believe smokers with damaged lungs could also be more vulnerable. If coronavirus spreads over the globe the number of dead could be in the millions. Hong Kong epidemiologist Dr. Gabriel Leung is warning 60 to 80 percent of the entire global population could potentially end up getting coronavirus if urgent action isn’t taken. With the global population now at more than 7.5 billion people means coronavirus could infect 4.5 billion people if Professor Leung is correct. If only two percent of those infected die that means 90 million deaths. The Chinese say it kills 2.3 percent of those infected. Some say they hope the summer heat kills the virus but they don’t know. There’s only one hope you can count on. The Bible tells us in Titus 2. “For the grace (Jesus) of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ!”
Pray for Dr. and Mrs. Hopland from Elizabethton who haven’t returned after being quarantined on a ship. Pray for the Christians of China. Christian pastors in Wuhan, China have encouraged church members to not be afraid and help others and tell others about Jesus during the virus outbreak. These Chinese Christians are standing in faith on Psalm 91 and we should do the same. Psalm 91:3, “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence.” Psalm 91:10, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Another great verse to pray is Psalm 118:17, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord (Jesus)!” Fear could cause more deaths than the coronavirus. Fear lowers your immune system. The Bible says Christians aren’t given a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton