Stores are closed down, people are staying in their homes, New York City is finally starting to fall asleep. She has taken her cue from the countries around the world. And this is all because of the pandemic disease corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the virus SARS-Cov-2.
Here are some practical ways to stay healthy against COVID-19:
Eat LIFE!
God ordained that man and animals eat, “every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed” (Genesis 1:29, 30). Among this class, berries and plums are great immune boosters, since they are rich in antioxidants. Other foods like garlic, kale, spinach, brussel sprouts and broccoli will also fortify the immune system.
Now after sin, God allowed the consumption of animals, but He classified animals as clean and unclean: fit for consumption and not fit. Among the unclean animals are bats (Leviticus 11:13-19), which is where COVID-19 originated. Thus, we can trust God’s Word with our health.
Wash Hands!
In Bible times, whatever an unclean person, someone with an illness, touched was considered unclean. And anyone who was illness-free, and touched those unclean things or was in contact with the unclean person, needed not only wash their hands, but their clothes and body (Leviticus 15:1-13). We can still apply these Biblical principals of hygiene. Let us be sure to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water for atleast 20 seconds, especially after traveling on public transportation and using public devices like ATMs (CDC, 2019).
Avoid Contact with Coughing Persons
We also see practices of isolation and quarantine in the Bible with regards to sick persons (Leviticus 13:4, 46). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the virus is thought to spread via droplets between people that are within six (6) feet of one another. Although, “[t]he coronavirus can go airborne, staying suspended in the air depending on factors such as heat and humidity, they [WHO officials] said” (Lovelace et al, 2020). So, if you are feeling sick, practice self quarantine, until clearance is given from your heath provider. And distance yourself from those that may be presenting these signs: fever, coughing and shortness of breath (CDC, 2020).
Precious Promises
Now, Friends, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). And as God’s faithful ones, “[we] shall not be afraid…for the pestilence that walketh in darkness” (Psalm 91:3-6). For He said that “If [we] wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD [our] God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to [H]is commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee” (Exodus 15:26). And if disease should touch us, call on Jesus “[a]nd the prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:15).
We are living in troublous times. Before the close of time, Jesus prophesied that “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7). This is just the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8). Let’s get ready, and be ready!
Amen!
Works Cited
Batchelor, Doug, director. “The Best Coronavirus Prevention” with Doug Batchelor and Dr. Neil Nedley. YouTube, YouTube, 11 Mar. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKJvOYp3D3Y.
CDC. “Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Mar. 2020. Retrieved 13 Mar. 2020, http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
Lovelace, Berkeley, et al. “WHO Considers ‘Airborne Precautions’ for Medical Staff after Study Shows Coronavirus Can Survive in Air.” CNBC, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2020, http://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/who-considers-airborne-precautions-for-medical-staff-after-study-shows-coronavirus-can-survive-in-air.html?fbclid=IwAR0asoZXo-_CVHM2_zq-iTBABxuhOLyQ3XlHSoQIoThcCJKbtgr_BKBWZvI.
The Mission Study Bible: Authorized King James Version: Study Bible with Ellen G. White Comments. Oklahoma Academy Publishing Inc., 2016.
The Word Inpsired 