(PNN) PPSIMMONS News and Ministry Network: FEAR OF THE WUHAN FLU

by Rev. Joda Collins

The Wuhan flu (China-flu / Corona Virus / CV19) continues to be a hot topic in all of our lives. There are several things to consider. First, this is an election year. In an election year the party that is not in power is motivated to make mountains out of molehills so they can blame the current administration for anything and everything in the hopes of getting back in the White House and/or controlling Congress. For more than two years many Democrats have been openly hoping for a financial crisis so they can blame President Trump and use the crisis to get a Democrat in to the White House in 2020. Their plan was to keep the Mexico border open so that drugs, disease, guns, thugs/criminals and a constantly increasing drain on our welfare system would combine to create a national financial crisis. That plan has not worked so far, but the Democrat's wishes might be coming true with the China flu. Second, money talks. There is a great advantage in fear-mongering because fear causes excessive spending and when there is excessive spending those who produce products make millions and millions of extra dollars. Third, TV programs, including the news media, live and die by ratings. The more dramatic and frightening the news media can make any issue the higher their viewer ratings and the more money they make.

These facts do not negate the real seriousness of any sickness, but these factors do cause thinking and aware people to temper fear with reason. Every year many more people die of new and existing strains of the flu than have died from Wuhan. One thousand die from various strains of the flu and there is little more than a peep about it from the media. One person in any given State dies of the Wuhan flu and it is determined that State is in a condition of pandemic.

Most with the flu are contagious for three to five days before they realize they are sick enough not to go to work or engage with others. The Wuhan flu has a 10 to 14 days contagious but not feeling that bad period; obviously, a longer period of time and that is the key difference between this flu (or whatever you want to call it) and other strains of flu. However, hundreds of people are infected with other kinds of flu compared to one or two with the Wuhan flu, thus, (for example) 100 people with any stain of any other kind of flu times three to five days (four on average, let's say) is 400 days, while two with Wuhan equals 14 days times two which is 28 days. In other words, we are much more likely to get any other kind of flu than the Wuhan flu. The death rate for the Wuhan flu is little to no greater than the death rate for any other kind of flu (depending on which so-called expert you listen to).

That does not mean taking precautions is a bad thing. Washing our hands is a good thing. Keeping our distance from people who are coughing and sneezing is a good thing. Buying food and supplies in case of an emergency of any kind is a good thing. If you can and want to live like a monk in isolation from everyone that is your business. Go for it! Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze is a good thing. Living in a constant state of panic and fear is not a good thing.

I have noticed that non-Christian people, for the most part, are the most frightened. And, they should be! If they get sick from anything, including the flu of any kind, old age or an accident, they space travel from this life to a place of eternal torment. Who in their right mind would be anything but terrified 24/7? Something like the frenzy of the Wuhan flu makes them face the reality that they are justified in being in a constant state of panic. The problem is they cannot buy enough toilet paper, hand towels, sanitary wipes, vitamin C and D, and food to deliver them from eternal torment once the Wuhan flu or any other flu or sickness takes their life. Such people need to be in a state of panic that drives them to prepare for the next life. That preparation is called the Lord Jesus Christ.

I faced the real possibility of death in October 1991. That threat lasted for several weeks (a long story) I can testify from first-hand experience, I never had one single second of fear about my eternity. In fact, when I went into surgery with less chance of coming out of it alive than dead, I forgot to say goodbye to my wife and kids, just in case. It never crossed my mind to do so. I guess because for the Christian, death is like going to work for the day or going to sleep for the night. It is not goodbye, it is a kiss and a smile and an "I will see you later." Looking back on it after all these years, it kind of amazes me that I faced the probability of death and forgot to be concerned about it. That is just the grace of God; it is there when we need it.

When as much financial profit can be made by business as can be expected and when as much political profit can be made by the Democrats as they think can be produced from the Wuhan flu panic, you will hear the "all clear" and "go about your business as normal" from the powers that be.

I am much more concerned about not having toilet paper than I am about dying from the Wuhan flu or anything else.

However, if you are not a Christian, you should be much more concerned about spending eternity in torment than about how much toilet paper you have for the next few days or weeks. See John 3:16-18, Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9-10 for the solution to your BIG problem.