It is always risky to write about a developing phenomenon, as new discoveries can compromise and render initial conclusions obsolete, this occurs in relation to COVID-19 coronavirus. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized that the spread of the virus is already a pandemic, i. e. the spread of a dangerous disease that infects many people at the same time. The next two weeks there will be a sharp increase in the number of cases of coronavirus infections in Brazil, creating extreme insecurity among people about social interactions.
Leaders of various organizations, including churches, seek wisdom to act and guide their followers on the best course of action on this topic. There is no doubt that two extremes should be avoided: negligence and paranoia. Denying the dangerous situation and responding to negligence is particularly risky, because without proper care, pollution becomes easier. However, paranoia can cause chaos and panic that no one can predict.
- In the case of Christian churches.
- Whose dynamics include fraternal encounters.
- Public services and relationships marked by mutual and loving care.
- It is important to pay attention to some of the basic principles listed below.
- Of course.
- Each local management must decide and instruct their herd in specific aspects (schedule changes.
- Hygiene mechanisms.
- Etc.
- ).
1. No be afraid, but take the necessary precautions: for the first time in history, we face and follow the evolution of an epidemic in real time: all means, several times a day, every day, everywhere. of the world, the new coronavirus is talked about, however, as soon as some positive information about COVID-19 is reported, it should be considered, for example, that the virus has been quickly identified, it is already possible to detect it, that 81% of cases are benign in nature, that 13 times more patients are cured who kill, that the virus is easily inactivated and others more. [1] That said, certain precautions must be taken, as negligence, in this case, can be fatal.
2. Take some practical precautions. As noted, frequent hand washing is the most effective way to avoid COVID-19 infection. In addition, the virus may be inactivated by cleaning surfaces with an alcoholic gel solution (at least 70%) in just a minute. In addition, it is necessary to avoid places with high concentration of people, especially those that include the elderly, that is, the highest risk group. One of the best examples in this regard comes from Japan, a country so close to China, that by spreading people, it has achieved victories in the fight against the virus.
3. Seek to understand and disseminate prevention methods. Government websites offer robust information, including easy-to-assimilate, easily accessible graphics, it would even be interesting to print some of these cards on posters and paste them in visible places on church premises. A good graph has been drawn up on this, by the government of the state of Sao Paulo, as you can see below.
4. Change some of our cultural habits. Brazilian culture is often marked by emotional expressions, such as handshakes, hugs and kisses, however, the best thing to do at the time is to replace these affectionate greetings with more formal greetings and kind verbal greetings, it should be remembered that the best way to show affection right now is to make sure your loved one is not at risk of becoming infected.
5. Taking care of the elderly. Since the COVID-19 jurisprudence rate is increasing significantly in the older class, it is important to raise awareness of “older age” (over 70 years) to reduce public exposure, including public services. In this case, whenever possible, Christians in this age group can follow the service on the Internet. In addition, it is important that the church takes care to contact these people through the media (phone, WhatsApp and Facebook) to show affection and fraternal unity towards these brothers.
6. Recommend a decrease in the number of social interactions. Some church meetings can be easily extended or even suspended. In addition, it is important to recommend that church members do the same, to avoid social gatherings with small but family and intimate groups, such as barbecues, parties, and meetings. some other events. Where possible, it is recommended that these meetings be transferred to other occasions.
7. Motivate prayer and intercession through the Lord’s intervention; our concerns about the Lord should be dismissed and all our concerns should be addressed to Him (1P 5. 7). In addition, it is necessary to intercede for the missionaries and other brethren who are facing this. pandemic in other parts of the world and have been afflicted in an unusual way. The scriptures affirm that the Lord is the earth and its fulness (Psalm 89:11). Therefore, let us implore you to intervene and bring healing to those affected. because of this disease.
Finally, let us pray to the Lord that, in addition to relief, he will grant us wisdom. As leaders of the herd, we must prevent the virus pandemic from becoming a pandemic of fear in the Church of Christ.
[1] For more information, see. 10 Good News about coronavirus amid a “fear pandemic”. Available in: https://www. bbc. com/portuguese/geral-51736012?fbclid=IwAR1eh-nZMj_wyynIWPzYCUg_G67kOVF8ed50zKGQyCv6EK3mView : 12. 03. 2020.