Covid-19, Panic-20

The panic concerning the Covid-19 virus grows apace. Yesterday, I spoke to someone over the phone who was ‘self-isolated’-no-one connected to Salem, I hasten to add. Instructions have been sent to schools regarding when to close. Boxes of tissues are provided in every room and antibacterial soap in every lavatory. The stock market has lost billions, as capitalists realise their money is worthless once they are dead. One wonders quite what they’ll do with these released funds- invest in an expensive funeral, perhaps.

These waters we enter are not quite unchartered. In 2014, the world panicked on account of Ebola. In 2009, it was the Swine Flu pandemic. 2005 saw us affrighted by H5N1 Bird Flu; in 2002, SARS virus sent us into a flap. I list these, not to assure you that Covid-19 is another false alarm, far from it. 3000 have died already and it’s barely begun its dreadful work. No, these global pestilences are further evidence that our technologically advanced and medically proficient experts are no more able to save us than the quacks of 1347 and 1665, the Black Death and Great Plague respectively. I’m not some doom prophet who sees in every world event some particular divine judgement, but I think that this latest outbreak testifies that: 

-We must all prepare for mortality- we will not live for ever. Eternity is but a breath away.

-We are still not masters of the physical world, but subject to its fallen, accursed caprice.

-They who reject the great Healer and His brazen staff will die of the serpents’ bite.

-They who travel the globe for pleasure and lucre may be conduits of death and destruction.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22