I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

Psalm 40:1-2 (CSB)

Regardless of what we face, Christians do not give in to hysteria or despair. Instead, the Bible repeatedly calls us to live with courage in spite of any threat (Ps. 27:13-14). Our courage is neither self-confident bravado nor is it foolish peacockery. Christians endure every age with fortitude by the power which comes from hope in our sovereign Lord. We know that he is in control of all things and that he is so concerned with our well-being that he even knows how many hairs are on our heads (Matt. 10:29-31). Therefore, Peter encouraged us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you'“ (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

The confidence we gain from Scripture means that we should face the Coronavirus Pandemic with unflinching realism. On the one hand, we do not panic or despair. On the other hand, we must observe the risks and respond with wisdom. Moreover, as Christians always ought to do, we endeavor to discern what is God’s calling for us in this moment.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that originated in the Wuhan Province of China. The virus is officially named “SARS-CoV-2.” Researchers have been aware of coronaviruses since the 1960s. There are 69 species of the virus, only seven of which can affect humans. The rest affect mammals such as pigs and bats. The first time that coronavirus became widely aware among the general public was with the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2002 and 2003. SARS was contained in China with 8,000 cases and a mortality rate of around 10%. This new virus was first reported with respiratory problems in Wuhan in December of 2019; therefore, the disease was named COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease, 2019).

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a cold or flu. Miguel Nunez reported, “The observed symptoms are fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms are similar to those of a flu, particularly similar to influenza.” For 80-81% of the people who get COVID-19, the symptoms remain mild and will not require hospitalization. The virus poses a less serious risk for people who are young and do not have any underlying health conditions. About 20% of cases will experience mild to severe respiratory distress and require hospitalization for up to two weeks.

How Bad Is COVID-19?

At first glance, you might not think that coronavirus is a significant threat and not worth the concern. However, we must face the serious dangers that this pandemic presents. The case fatality rate (CFR) is still being determined and it varies from region to region. CFR can also be affected by early intervention and preparedness. Various agencies such as WHO, CDC, and Johns Hopkins place the fatality rate for coronavirus between 3-4%. The latest reports have a CFR of over 6% in Italy. In comparison, the seasonal flu has a CFR of about 0.1%. For those who contract COVID-19, it is between 30-40x deadlier than the seasonal flu.

It’s helpful to understand this with examples. Tim McGrew, professor of philosophy at Western Michigan University, prepared a briefing that demonstrated these numbers. According to McGrew:

  • The current population of the United States: ~330 million

  • x50% infection rate: 165 million people infected

  • x1% CFR: 1.65 million people dying from COVID-19

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Some experts are optimistic that the CFR could come down to 1% or lower after greater preventative measures are taken. The problem with COVID-19 is that no one is positive of how transmissible it is, but it appears to have a very high transmissibility rate. Therefore, the virus appears to have the potential to exponential growth. In other words, a few people have it today but everyone has it tomorrow.

COVID-19 is the most dangerous—higher fatality rates—for people who are aged 60+ and/or have chronic conditions. The CDC said, “Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions—like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example—seem to be at higher risk for developing serious COVID-19 illness.” The website “Information is Beautiful” compiled statistics that showed the greatest fatality rates for existing conditions in this order:

  1. Cardiovascular disease - 10.5%

  2. Diabetes - 7.3%

  3. Chronic respiratory disease - 6.3%

  4. Abnormally high blood pressure - 6%

  5. Cancer - 5.6%

  6. No existing conditions - 0.9%

I’m sharing all of this information with you so that you understand the importance of taking protective measures. We do not need to panic, but we do need to be responsible.

How We Will Respond

Redeemer’s Response

First, I will begin with how our church will respond to this pandemic. We are blessed to have a church full of young, healthy people. For the vast majority of you, the primary concern is that you do not become a carrier for someone else that could be more susceptible. Redeemer will be taking several preventative measures to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. I will list them below.

  • Our teams will begin a stricter cleaning protocol beginning this Sunday. This pandemic preparedness plan will include providing hand sanitizer stations, limiting contact between people, and rigorous cleaning of all hard surfaces that people routinely touch.

  • Moreover, Redeemer Kids will be implementing strict hygiene protocols as well. We will be providing a “Well Child Policy” for all families that bring their children to the kids’ ministry.

  • I am asking that if you or anyone in your family is experiencing cold-like or flu-like symptoms to stay home. Our digital media team is preparing to have our service live-streamed so that you do not have to miss the sermon. As usual, you can also catch up on any missed teachings through the sermon podcast.

  • Finally, I strongly suggest that anyone who is in the high-risk categories for COVID-19 to consider staying home. I understand that it will be hard for you to stay home even if you are feeling well. If you decide to do so, please let us know so that we can find ways still serve you.

We will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana. If we begin to see community spread in our area, then we will move on to further phases of the pandemic preparedness plan.

Lastly, we understand that this pandemic provides a unique opportunity for Jesus’ church to serve the world and show the power of the gospel. Our outreach team will be putting together practical strategies to serve those in our community being impacted by COVID-19. We do plan on providing grocery, medicine, or other essentials delivery for our church members who are sick or self-quarantined. If you need help—or if you have ideas for how we can serve—do not hesitate to start the conversation by emailing us at info@redeemercity.com.

What You Can Do

In addition to the self-quarantine measures advised above, what can you as an individual do to be a courageous witness in the COVID-19 pandemic? First, there are several practical, preventative actions that you should be taking. The hopeful news about coronavirus is that it is possible to prevent it through commonsense practices that we should be doing all the time. These practices include

  • Washing your hands with soap for at least twenty seconds

  • Avoid touching your face or mouth

  • Sneeze or cough into napkins then throw them away

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

  • Limiting close contact with people who are sick.

Furthermore, as a Christian, you can share the hopeful news of Jesus Christ. He rescued us from the danger far greater than a virus that can destroy the body. He delivered us from the judgment on our sin that can destroy both body and soul in hell. By his sacrifice, we are saved from the most life-threatening pandemic that has ever faced the human race.

He cares about the salvation of our souls, but he is also concerned with the health of our bodies. As we listen to and support the medical professionals, our ultimate security is in the God who knows how many hairs are on our heads. Peace is available to every person who places their trust in a good, loving God like the one that we worship. Share that message in the pandemic. But also demonstrate it with your life.

In an essay “On Living in An Atomic Age,” C. S. Lewis addressed the anxieties of people who realized they now lived in a world with atomic weapons. He wrote that the peace of God available to Christians enables them to live ordinary lives in an upended world. I’ll leave you with his words.

This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.

- C. S. Lewis, “On Living In An Atomic Age”

Resources/Further Reading

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