lifesitenews--2020-04-01--German bishop: idea of coronavirus as God’s punishment is ‘terrible…un-Christian’

April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – German Bishop Heiner Wilmer has stated in a March 30 interview that he believes that the idea of a punishing God is “ terrible and also completely un-Christian.
” He goes on to say that “ the corona crisis is not a punishment from God.
” Speaking to the German regional newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger , the bishop of the Diocese of Hildesheim in the north of Germany discusses the effects of the coronavirus crisis on the Faith , and he admits that it is a test .
While his Faith is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crisis shakes me and shows me : God is still completely different than the one you had imagined.
” Here , the bishop insists that the idea of a God who punishes us for our misbehavior “ is terrible and also completely un-Christian.
” “ The Corona crisis is not a punishment from God.
” With this comment , Wilmer stands in stark contrast to prelates such as Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes and Bishop Athanasius Schneider who see the corona crisis as a punishment from God , just as God has punished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erred into sin and faithlessness .
Recently , Bishop Schneider had called the coronavirus crisis “ a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.
” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , in a March 29 interview with Michael Matt of The Remnant , also linked the coronavirus to chastisement from God for sin while calling on Pope Francis to “ convert ” for having brought into the Church the “ terrible sacrilege ” of the idolatry of Pachamama .
“ The Pope , the Hierarchy , and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and absolutely convert , ” he said .
“ [ These clerics ] have even committed acts of unprecedented gravity , such as we saw with the adoration of the pachamama idol in the Vatican itself , ” he said .
“ Indeed , I think Our Lord has rightly become indignant at the great multitude of scandals committed by those who ought to be setting a good example , because they are Shepherds , to the flocks to whom they have been entrusted.
” John-Henry Westen , the editor-in-chief of LifeSite , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new John-Henry Westen Show , quoting passages from Holy Scripture and referring back to Pope Francis ’ recent permission of Pachamama worship in the Vatican , as well as his allowing “ remarried ” divorcees to receive Holy Communion .
In light of the current lack of access to the Sacraments , the German prelate proposes that one rediscovers new ways of practicing the Faith : “ Now the great question posed by Martin Luther comes back again : how do I get a merciful God ?
Not somehow mediated by the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in an immediate contact.
” Bishop Wilmer is thinking here of the Bible and of small communities of faithful , as so-called “ house churches.
” This crisis , therefore , is seen by him as a chance to rediscover new forms of togetherness .
“ The celebration of the Mass , the Eucharist , is very important .
But now , sit down !
Read the Bible !
Discuss it with two or three people , via tele conference , via Skype , whatever !
But most of all : speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is one of the younger German bishops and who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2018 thinks it is important to live up to the standard of “ Jesus the Healer ” by “ being close to people.
” “ The greatest catastrophe would be if we were to seclude ourselves and if we did not see the other anymore.
” For the German bishop , one lesson of the crisis is : “ The Church is there not for herself , but for society.
” In light of the current “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop Wilmer is of the view that the coronavirus crisis makes it clear “ that reforms are necessary , but not sufficient .
We need more .
We have a Church crisis , but also a crisis of faith , in the sense that it is not clear to us how the relationship between man and God – the great , unfathomable mystery – works.
” Bishop Wilmer caused a controversy in Germany when , in December of 2018 , he claimed during the clerical sex abuse crisis that the Catholic Church is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the “ abuse of power is in the DNA of the Church.
” “ I believe the abuse of power is in the DNA of the Church .
We can not any more shrug this off as something minor , but we have to rethink [ the hierarchy ] in a radical way , ” the prelate said , adding that “ we do not yet have any idea of what the consequences should be for theology.
” At the time , Cardinal Gerhard Müller , as well as German journalists Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such claims , reminding Wilmer of the distinction between the holiness of the Catholic Church as distinct from the sinfulness of individual members of the Church .
Schwibach , who is a Rome Correspondent and professor of philosophy , stated in comments to LifeSite at the time that “ especially because she is holy – the holiness that comes to her from Christ – the Church can welcome sinners and suffer with them in their sufferings and cure them.
” “ It is just unbelievable , ” he commented on Wilmer 's words @

April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – German Bishop Heiner Wilmer has stated in a March 30 interview that he believes that the idea of a punishing God is “terrible and also completely un-Christian.” He goes on to say that “the corona crisis is not a punishment from God.”
Speaking to the German regional newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the bishop of the Diocese of Hildesheim in the north of Germany discusses the effects of the coronavirus crisis on the Faith, and he admits that it is a test.
While his Faith is not shaken, Wilmer states, “nevertheless this crisis shakes me and shows me: God is still completely different than the one you had imagined.” Here, the bishop insists that the idea of a God who punishes us for our misbehavior “is terrible and also completely un-Christian.” “The Corona crisis is not a punishment from God.”
With this comment, Wilmer stands in stark contrast to prelates such as Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes and Bishop Athanasius Schneider who see the corona crisis as a punishment from God, just as God has punished His people in the past when they erred into sin and faithlessness. Recently, Bishop Schneider had called the coronavirus crisis “a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, in a March 29 interview with Michael Matt of The Remnant, also linked the coronavirus to chastisement from God for sin while calling on Pope Francis to “convert” for having brought into the Church the “terrible sacrilege” of the idolatry of Pachamama.
“The Pope, the Hierarchy, and all Bishops, Priests and Religious must immediately and absolutely convert,” he said.
“[These clerics] have even committed acts of unprecedented gravity, such as we saw with the adoration of the pachamama idol in the Vatican itself,” he said.
“Indeed, I think Our Lord has rightly become indignant at the great multitude of scandals committed by those who ought to be setting a good example, because they are Shepherds, to the flocks to whom they have been entrusted.”
John-Henry Westen, the editor-in-chief of LifeSite, has discussed this matter in-depth in his new John-Henry Westen Show, quoting passages from Holy Scripture and referring back to Pope Francis’ recent permission of Pachamama worship in the Vatican, as well as his allowing “remarried” divorcees to receive Holy Communion.
In light of the current lack of access to the Sacraments, the German prelate proposes that one rediscovers new ways of practicing the Faith: “Now the great question posed by Martin Luther comes back again: how do I get a merciful God? Not somehow mediated by the Church, but, rather, very directly, in an immediate contact.”
Bishop Wilmer is thinking here of the Bible and of small communities of faithful, as so-called “house churches.” This crisis, therefore, is seen by him as a chance to rediscover new forms of togetherness. “The celebration of the Mass, the Eucharist, is very important. But now, sit down! Read the Bible! Discuss it with two or three people, via tele conference, via Skype, whatever! But most of all: speak with God!”
The German prelate who is one of the younger German bishops and who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2018 thinks it is important to live up to the standard of “Jesus the Healer” by “being close to people.” “The greatest catastrophe would be if we were to seclude ourselves and if we did not see the other anymore.” For the German bishop, one lesson of the crisis is: “The Church is there not for herself, but for society.”
In light of the current “synodal path” debates in Germany, Bishop Wilmer is of the view that the coronavirus crisis makes it clear “that reforms are necessary, but not sufficient. We need more. We have a Church crisis, but also a crisis of faith, in the sense that it is not clear to us how the relationship between man and God – the great, unfathomable mystery – works.”
Bishop Wilmer caused a controversy in Germany when, in December of 2018, he claimed during the clerical sex abuse crisis that the Catholic Church is not “immaculate.” He then added that the “abuse of power is in the DNA of the Church.”
“I believe the abuse of power is in the DNA of the Church. We cannot any more shrug this off as something minor, but we have to rethink [the hierarchy] in a radical way,” the prelate said, adding that “we do not yet have any idea of what the consequences should be for theology.”
At the time, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, as well as German journalists Paul Badde and Armin Schwibach strongly reacted against such claims, reminding Wilmer of the distinction between the holiness of the Catholic Church as distinct from the sinfulness of individual members of the Church.
Schwibach, who is a Rome Correspondent and professor of philosophy, stated in comments to LifeSite at the time that “especially because she is holy – the holiness that comes to her from Christ – the Church can welcome sinners and suffer with them in their sufferings and cure them.” “It is just unbelievable,” he commented on Wilmer's words.
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Watch Trump’s coronavirus daily briefing for April 1 here

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 1 briefing .
Follow LifeSiteNews for future @ @ @ @ @ s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers @ @ @ @

As CNN threatens to cut away from Trump during his daily coronavirus briefings, LifeSite has begun streaming them live.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 1 briefing. Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Two more states ban abortion to free up medical supplies during pandemic

April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – This week , the governors of Indiana and West Virginia joined the growing list of states ordering a temporary halt to elective medical procedures during the coronavirus crisis , including aboriton .
Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb issued an executive order suspending “ elective or non-urgent ” procedures at any “ medical , dental or other , and healthcare facilities , whether hospitals , ambulatory surgical centers , dental facilities , plastic surgery centers , dermatology offices and abortion clinics , ” RTV6 reported .
`` We are all watching the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths mount by the day , '' Holcomb said .
`` We 're living in and through an 'all hands on deck ' moment if I 've ever seen one and it is unifying our state in ways that I could not imagine . ''
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice , meanwhile , declared Tuesday that “ all elective surgeries will be off the bubble , as of tonight , ” the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported .
His order defines “ elective ” procedures as anything “ not immediately medically necessary to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , ” with exceptions for procedures that “ can not be postponed without compromising the patient ’ s long-term health , ” that “ can not be performed consistent with other law at a later date , ” or “ are religiously mandated.
” Justice ’ s order does not specifically mention abortion , but West Virginians for Life is interpreting it as banning abortions .
In a statement , the group said it “ applauds ” Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for the order , which “ should mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Virginia during this pandemic.
” U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 ( the illness caused by the coronavirus ) .
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed , leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “ non-essential ” medical procedures .
Several of them have clarified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same standards as all other procedures during this time , leading to several lawsuits demanding exemptions for Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers .
In response , the abortion lobby has sued in multiple states , leading federal judges to issue temporary injunctions allowing elective abortions to continue in Alabama , Ohio , and Texas , although the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals quickly reversed the injunction for Texas .
Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the abortion industry ’ s demands for special treatment , arguing that exempting elective abortion puts business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) says that while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ ” it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” AAPLOG continued .
“ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – This week, the governors of Indiana and West Virginia joined the growing list of states ordering a temporary halt to elective medical procedures during the coronavirus crisis, including aboriton.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued an executive order suspending “elective or non-urgent” procedures at any “medical, dental or other, and healthcare facilities, whether hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, dental facilities, plastic surgery centers, dermatology offices and abortion clinics,” RTV6 reported.
“We are all watching the numbers, both positive cases of COVID-19 and deaths mount by the day,” Holcomb said. “We're living in and through an 'all hands on deck' moment if I've ever seen one and it is unifying our state in ways that I could not imagine.”
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, meanwhile, declared Tuesday that “all elective surgeries will be off the bubble, as of tonight,” the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported. His order defines “elective” procedures as anything “not immediately medically necessary to preserve the patient’s life or long-term health,” with exceptions for procedures that “cannot be postponed without compromising the patient’s long-term health,” that “cannot be performed consistent with other law at a later date,” or “are religiously mandated.”
Justice’s order does not specifically mention abortion, but West Virginians for Life is interpreting it as banning abortions. In a statement, the group said it “applauds” Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for the order, which “should mean that elective abortions will not be available in West Virginia during this pandemic.”
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus).
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed, leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “non-essential” medical procedures. Several of them have clarified that elective abortions will be held to the same standards as all other procedures during this time, leading to several lawsuits demanding exemptions for Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers.
In response, the abortion lobby has sued in multiple states, leading federal judges to issue temporary injunctions allowing elective abortions to continue in Alabama, Ohio, and Texas, although the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals quickly reversed the injunction for Texas.
Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the abortion industry’s demands for special treatment, arguing that exempting elective abortion puts business interests ahead of public health.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Is coronavirus healthcare rationing resulting in people with Down syndrome being left to die?

April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – With a shortage of ventilators and other medical necessities , strained global supply chains , and a worldwide pandemic placing our healthcare systems under enormous strain , many healthcare workers are bracing themselves to face impossible decisions .
Triage , a word that sounds jarring outside a wartime context , is increasingly on our lips .
Stories of elderly people refusing ventilators or giving them to younger people are surfacing , and tales of Italian doctors being forced to choose who they will allocate resources to are almost too heartbreaking to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will live with until they die .
Disability advocates are also fearful that our culture ’ s increasingly eugenic mindset will lead to discrimination against those deemed by some to be less worthy of life .
According to a March 28 report by the Daily Mirror , some of the state guidelines being published in preparation for the coronavirus pandemic indicate that people “ with Down ’ s syndrome , cerebral palsy and autism could be left to die , ” and disability advocates are “ disturbed ” by what they are seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical guidance states that “ persons with severe mental retardation , advanced dementia , or severe traumatic brain injury may be poor candidates for ventilator support…persons with severe or profound mental retardation , moderate to severe dementia , or catastrophic neurological complications such as persistent vegetative state are unlikely candidates for ventilator support.
” According to the Mirror , “ [ s ] imilar guidance has been issued in Washington and Arizona , with medics in the latter state instructed to ‘ allocate resources to patients whose need is greater or whose prognosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive outcome with limited resources.
’ ” This guidance is particularly alarming for disability advocates who represent the more than seven million Americans who live with disabilities .
In response , disability advocates have filed a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services , demanding assurances that those with disabilities will not become the victims of discrimination if they seek emergency care during the pandemic .
Some have pointed out that many people with disabilities live in group homes , which places them at a higher risk of contracting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that US law “ protect [ s ] the equal dignity of every human being from ruthless utilitarianism , ” but disability advocates such as Ari Ne ’ erman of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University noted that “ [ w ] hat we ’ re seeing here is a clash between disability rights law and ruthless utilitarian logic .
What this is really all about at the end of the day is whether our civil rights laws still apply in a pandemic .
I think that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as a country.
” Parents of children with Down syndrome have begun to worry , as well .
Over at Yahoo Lifestyle , Madison Huntsman wrote that she is worried about rationing if her child gets COVID-19 : Social usefulness .
That ’ s the term I keep coming upon in articles I read .
Hospitals are preparing to be , or are already overwhelmed by patients who are severely ill due to the coronavirus .
Hospitals need a plan for when the dreaded moment comes and they need to decide if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed , medication or a ventilator .
In other words , who do we save ?
This is terrible for any person , parent or not , to have to think about .
As a mother to a son with Down syndrome , it ’ s absolutely horrifying .
I ’ ve had to think about how I would plead my case if it came to that .
What would I say ?
How would I argue that my son deserves to live as much as the other typical 3-year-old down the hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same argument for us as advocating parents .
We want the same chances , the same opportunities for our kids .
We don ’ t want them held back or pushed aside or put second simply because they aren ’ t seen as “ socially useful.
” In times of great strain , we find out much about who we are .
We have proven ourselves willing to sustain enormous economic damage to protect the elderly and the vulnerable , and that instinct , at least , is a good one .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is reassuring to know that we still possess those instincts .
But we have also discovered that our culture values the killing of pre-born children above everything , even public safety , and that abortion is considered by many to be an “ essential service ” along with genuine healthcare .
Our attitude towards people with disabilities , who are so often the victims of abortion , has yet to be tested .
I hope that Madison Huntsman and those who advocate for people like her son are wrong , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone that these people are uniquely valuable to our society .
That would be a small silver lining in all of this .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement .
In his latest episode , he speaks with William Gairdner , author of The Trouble with Canada and a Canadian political philosopher , businessman , and former Olympian .
The discussion centers on how socialism has taken such a strong hold in Canada and the impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus what Canadians can do in the here and now to restore their country and the warnings Canada offers other nations , like the United States , considering going down the same path .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With a shortage of ventilators and other medical necessities, strained global supply chains, and a worldwide pandemic placing our healthcare systems under enormous strain, many healthcare workers are bracing themselves to face impossible decisions.
Triage, a word that sounds jarring outside a wartime context, is increasingly on our lips. Stories of elderly people refusing ventilators or giving them to younger people are surfacing, and tales of Italian doctors being forced to choose who they will allocate resources to are almost too heartbreaking to read. They are enduring trauma that they will live with until they die.
Disability advocates are also fearful that our culture’s increasingly eugenic mindset will lead to discrimination against those deemed by some to be less worthy of life. According to a March 28 report by the Daily Mirror, some of the state guidelines being published in preparation for the coronavirus pandemic indicate that people “with Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism could be left to die,” and disability advocates are “disturbed” by what they are seeing.
In Alabama, for example, medical guidance states that “persons with severe mental retardation, advanced dementia, or severe traumatic brain injury may be poor candidates for ventilator support…persons with severe or profound mental retardation, moderate to severe dementia, or catastrophic neurological complications such as persistent vegetative state are unlikely candidates for ventilator support.”
According to the Mirror, “[s]imilar guidance has been issued in Washington and Arizona, with medics in the latter state instructed to ‘allocate resources to patients whose need is greater or whose prognosis is more likely to result in a positive outcome with limited resources.’” This guidance is particularly alarming for disability advocates who represent the more than seven million Americans who live with disabilities.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
In response, disability advocates have filed a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services, demanding assurances that those with disabilities will not become the victims of discrimination if they seek emergency care during the pandemic. Some have pointed out that many people with disabilities live in group homes, which places them at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
HHS Spokesman Roger Severino stated that US law “protect[s] the equal dignity of every human being from ruthless utilitarianism,” but disability advocates such as Ari Ne’erman of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University noted that “[w]hat we’re seeing here is a clash between disability rights law and ruthless utilitarian logic. What this is really all about at the end of the day is whether our civil rights laws still apply in a pandemic. I think that’s a pretty core question as to who we are as a country.”
Parents of children with Down syndrome have begun to worry, as well. Over at Yahoo Lifestyle, Madison Huntsman wrote that she is worried about rationing if her child gets COVID-19:
Social usefulness. That’s the term I keep coming upon in articles I read. Hospitals are preparing to be, or are already overwhelmed by patients who are severely ill due to the coronavirus. Hospitals need a plan for when the dreaded moment comes and they need to decide if patient A or patient B gets a bed, medication or a ventilator. In other words, who do we save? This is terrible for any person, parent or not, to have to think about. As a mother to a son with Down syndrome, it’s absolutely horrifying. I’ve had to think about how I would plead my case if it came to that. What would I say? How would I argue that my son deserves to live as much as the other typical 3-year-old down the hall? It all comes back to the same argument for us as advocating parents. We want the same chances, the same opportunities for our kids. We don’t want them held back or pushed aside or put second simply because they aren’t seen as “socially useful.”
In times of great strain, we find out much about who we are. We have proven ourselves willing to sustain enormous economic damage to protect the elderly and the vulnerable, and that instinct, at least, is a good one. In today’s Culture of Death, it is reassuring to know that we still possess those instincts. But we have also discovered that our culture values the killing of pre-born children above everything, even public safety, and that abortion is considered by many to be an “essential service” along with genuine healthcare. Our attitude towards people with disabilities, who are so often the victims of abortion, has yet to be tested. I hope that Madison Huntsman and those who advocate for people like her son are wrong, and that we will prove to her and to everyone that these people are uniquely valuable to our society.
That would be a small silver lining in all of this.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he speaks with William Gairdner, author of The Trouble with Canada and a Canadian political philosopher, businessman, and former Olympian. The discussion centers on how socialism has taken such a strong hold in Canada and the impacts it has had on the country, plus what Canadians can do in the here and now to restore their country and the warnings Canada offers other nations, like the United States, considering going down the same path. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Coronavirus crisis reveals why it’s time to curb China’s dangerous dominance of medical supplies

April 1 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) ― Rosemary Gibson is senior advisor at the Hastings Center and a national authority on health care reform .
In 2014 , she won the highest honor from the American Medical Writers Association .
She is an editor for JAMA Internal Medicine .
She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine .
Speaking to journalist Sharyl Attkisson in an April 23 , 2018 , interview , Gibson warned : `` What happens if we have a Fukushima type event or the trade routes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or if there 's a global pandemic ?
And the United States and virtually every other country in the world is dependent on a few companies in China for the ingredients to make critical antibiotics . ''
Gibson provided a detailed picture of China ’ s growing domination of the medical drug and equipment market in her 2018 book China Rx : Exposing the Risks of America ’ s Dependence on China for Medicine ( co-authored by Janardan Prasad Singh ) .
China is now the global kingpin in the supply of key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicines , vitamins , and supplements .
The Chinese now control most of the active and inactive ingredients for the manufacture of medicine in the world .
Suppose your blood pressure medication is factory-made in Canada and you feel your supply line is safe .
Your health is still in jeopardy because Communist China could choose to ban the export of your drug ’ s active ingredient to Canada .
In China Rx , Gibson and Singh lay out the facts in how drug manufacturing has experienced a paradigm shift over several decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan in becoming the global supplier of necessary ingredients for medicines .
Penicillin , a longstanding drug in the fight against bacterial infection , is a prime example of America ’ s market loss and China ’ s economic seizure and takeover Around 2004 , the Chinese government had its national companies dump penicillin ingredients on the global market .
Most Western countries , including the U.S. , could not compete with their low prices and went bankrupt .
Then China issued a major price increase on these important ingredients , thereby cornering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the penicillin that you purchase at your local drugstore may not be manufactured in China in its final form , the keys to its production ( active ingredients ) are under communist control .
Forget about a vital drug like heparin , the only anticoagulant used in the U.S. for heart surgery and kidney dialysis .
What about something simple , like Vitamin C ?
China is now the primary supplier for the key ingredients for manufacturing this vitamin in the U.S. and around the world .
Chinese companies created an artificial shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production and exports .
American companies filed a class-action suit resulting in a legal battle lasting over eight years .
The evidence was strong and convincing against China .
The judge ordered China to pay over $ 160 million in damages to U.S. corporations .
The Seattle Times in June 2007 reported , “ In less than a decade , China has captured 90 percent of the U.S. market for vitamin C , driving almost everyone else out of business… Chinese pharmaceutical companies also have taken over much of the world market in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enzymes and primary amino acids .
According to an industry group , China makes 70 percent of the world ’ s penicillin , 50 percent of its aspirin and 35 percent of its acetaminophen ( often sold under the brand name Tylenol ) , as well as the bulk of vitamins A , B12 , C and E. ” In China Rx , Gibson also reveals that China is the main supplier of the active ingredients for acetaminophen and aspirin now used in over 600 prescription and over-the-counter drugs .
How were these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not to mention the more expensive heart and cancer medications ?
Who is listening to Rosemary Gibson on Capitol Hill ?
Senator Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) , while chairing a hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on March 12 , sounded the alarm concerning critical shortages in our drug supply chain , the offshoring of American drug manufacturing for two decades , and now the threat of a global pandemic .
He warned , “ The inability to quickly increase the production of key supplies , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pharmaceutical drugs limits our ability to mitigate the worst effects of disease in this emerging crisis and in any future pandemic .
It is unacceptable that China holds this much leverage over America ’ s public health and economy , which are both essential components of our national security.
” This article first appeared at the American Thinker .
It is published here with the author 's permission .

China is the primary world supplier of key ingredients for almost all common and critically needed medical equipment, medications and supplements, including vitamin C.
April 1, 2020 (American Thinker) ― Rosemary Gibson is senior advisor at the Hastings Center and a national authority on health care reform. In 2014, she won the highest honor from the American Medical Writers Association. She is an editor for JAMA Internal Medicine. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Speaking to journalist Sharyl Attkisson in an April 23, 2018, interview, Gibson warned: “What happens if we have a Fukushima type event or the trade routes are blocked in the South China Sea? Or if there's a global pandemic? And the United States and virtually every other country in the world is dependent on a few companies in China for the ingredients to make critical antibiotics.”
Gibson provided a detailed picture of China’s growing domination of the medical drug and equipment market in her 2018 book China Rx: Exposing the Risks of America’s Dependence on China for Medicine (co-authored by Janardan Prasad Singh).
China is now the global kingpin in the supply of key ingredients for many prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. The Chinese now control most of the active and inactive ingredients for the manufacture of medicine in the world.
Suppose your blood pressure medication is factory-made in Canada and you feel your supply line is safe. Your health is still in jeopardy because Communist China could choose to ban the export of your drug’s active ingredient to Canada.
In China Rx, Gibson and Singh lay out the facts in how drug manufacturing has experienced a paradigm shift over several decades. Communist China has followed an aggressive plan in becoming the global supplier of necessary ingredients for medicines.
Penicillin, a longstanding drug in the fight against bacterial infection, is a prime example of America’s market loss and China’s economic seizure and takeover
Around 2004, the Chinese government had its national companies dump penicillin ingredients on the global market. Most Western countries, including the U.S., could not compete with their low prices and went bankrupt. Then China issued a major price increase on these important ingredients, thereby cornering the market and making billions.
Although the penicillin that you purchase at your local drugstore may not be manufactured in China in its final form, the keys to its production (active ingredients) are under communist control.
Forget about a vital drug like heparin, the only anticoagulant used in the U.S. for heart surgery and kidney dialysis. What about something simple, like Vitamin C?
China is now the primary supplier for the key ingredients for manufacturing this vitamin in the U.S. and around the world. Chinese companies created an artificial shortage of vitamin C around 2005 by slowing production and exports. American companies filed a class-action suit resulting in a legal battle lasting over eight years. The evidence was strong and convincing against China. The judge ordered China to pay over $160 million in damages to U.S. corporations.
The Seattle Times in June 2007 reported, “In less than a decade, China has captured 90 percent of the U.S. market for vitamin C, driving almost everyone else out of business… Chinese pharmaceutical companies also have taken over much of the world market in the production of antibiotics, analgesics, enzymes and primary amino acids. According to an industry group, China makes 70 percent of the world’s penicillin, 50 percent of its aspirin and 35 percent of its acetaminophen (often sold under the brand name Tylenol), as well as the bulk of vitamins A, B12, C and E.”
In China Rx, Gibson also reveals that China is the main supplier of the active ingredients for acetaminophen and aspirin now used in over 600 prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
How were these warning signs missed for these less-complex drugs, not to mention the more expensive heart and cancer medications?
Who is listening to Rosemary Gibson on Capitol Hill?
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), while chairing a hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on March 12, sounded the alarm concerning critical shortages in our drug supply chain, the offshoring of American drug manufacturing for two decades, and now the threat of a global pandemic.
He warned, “The inability to quickly increase the production of key supplies, such as surgical masks, medical gowns, and pharmaceutical drugs limits our ability to mitigate the worst effects of disease in this emerging crisis and in any future pandemic. It is unacceptable that China holds this much leverage over America’s public health and economy, which are both essential components of our national security.”
Thank you, Senator!
This article first appeared at the American Thinker. It is published here with the author's permission.
Share
Your support makes stories like this possible! LifeSiteNews is completely donor supported, allowing us to report on what truly is happening in the world, free of charge and uncensored. A donation to LifeSite will ensure millions around the world can continue to come to our site to find the truth people are so desperately searching for on life, faith, family and freedom. $ Donate Now
Related Articles


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--LifeSite live-streaming Trump coronavirus briefings as liberal media calls for censorship

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSiteNews has begun live-streaming President Trump ’ s coronavirus briefings each evening as liberal media figures continue to call for them to be censored .
CNN is under fire for declining to air Trump ’ s remarks yesterday , only cutting to the briefing when medical advisor Dr. Deborah Birx was about to speak .
The move follows a growing chorus of media outlets complaining that the press should , in the words of the Washington Post ’ s Margaret Sullivan , “ stop live-broadcasting Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call those demands a flip-flop from the mainstream media ’ s previous complaints that the administration wasn ’ t taking COVID-19 seriously enough , motivated by the rising approval ratings for Trump ’ s handling of the crisis .
Readers can visit LifeSite ’ s homepage at 5:00 p.m. EST each day for a link to the day ’ s live-stream .
Press conferences are scheduled to begin then but they often begin later than that .
As of Wednesday afternoon , the United States has seen 205,438 cases of COVID-19 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains unknown when the coronavirus first reached American shores and what percentage of the public has actually come into contact with it .
Trump struck a grim tone yesterday , telling Americans the next two weeks would be “ painful ” both due to a rise in deaths as well as the economic toll of quarantine .
The administration formally updated its “ 15 Days to Slow the Spread ” to 30 days in a new document that urges Americans to “ work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 or more people , ” and “ avoid discretionary travel , shopping trips , and social visits , ” among hygiene tips .
“ This is going to be a rough two week period , ” Trump said .
“ As a nation we ’ re going to have a really rough two weeks .
Our strength will be tested and our endurance will be tried.
” “ It is absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines , ” he added .
“ It ’ s a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to do so , however , will be left up to local authorities across the country .
Debate rages as to whether comprehensive lockdowns are necessary or appropriate for every part of the country , given the toll the lockdowns have taken on personal liberties , job losses , and even healthcare capacity .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

Readers can visit LifeSite’s homepage at 5:00 p.m. EST each day for a link to the day’s live-stream.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSiteNews has begun live-streaming President Trump’s coronavirus briefings each evening as liberal media figures continue to call for them to be censored.
CNN is under fire for declining to air Trump’s remarks yesterday, only cutting to the briefing when medical advisor Dr. Deborah Birx was about to speak. The move follows a growing chorus of media outlets complaining that the press should, in the words of the Washington Post’s Margaret Sullivan, “stop live-broadcasting Trump’s dangerous, destructive coronavirus briefings.”
Conservatives call those demands a flip-flop from the mainstream media’s previous complaints that the administration wasn’t taking COVID-19 seriously enough, motivated by the rising approval ratings for Trump’s handling of the crisis.
Readers can visit LifeSite’s homepage at 5:00 p.m. EST each day for a link to the day’s live-stream. Press conferences are scheduled to begin then but they often begin later than that.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the United States has seen 205,438 cases of COVID-19, with 4,528 deaths and 8,762 recoveries. It remains unknown when the coronavirus first reached American shores and what percentage of the public has actually come into contact with it.
Trump struck a grim tone yesterday, telling Americans the next two weeks would be “painful” both due to a rise in deaths as well as the economic toll of quarantine.
The administration formally updated its “15 Days to Slow the Spread” to 30 days in a new document that urges Americans to “work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible,” “avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people,” and “avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits,” among hygiene tips.
“This is going to be a rough two week period,” Trump said. “As a nation we’re going to have a really rough two weeks. Our strength will be tested and our endurance will be tried.”
“It is absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines,” he added. “It’s a matter of life and death.” Whether Americans are forced to do so, however, will be left up to local authorities across the country.
Debate rages as to whether comprehensive lockdowns are necessary or appropriate for every part of the country, given the toll the lockdowns have taken on personal liberties, job losses, and even healthcare capacity.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Before coronavirus closed churches, Christians in Europe suffered at the hands of their gov’ts

In today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , Ellen Fantini the Executive Director of the Observatory on @ @ @ @ @ Christians in Europe speaks about the religious persecution Christians face in Europe .
Fantini and @ @ @ @ @ negative attitude toward Christians , persecution of Christians in Europe that is largely ignored , @ @ @ @ @ Christians moving forward .
Especially during these difficult times when churches are closed across the @ @ @ @ @ great reminder of the hundreds of thousands of Christians that ca n't attend service regularly @ @ @ @ @ worship God .

In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Ellen Fantini the Executive Director of the Observatory on the Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe speaks about the religious persecution Christians face in Europe.
Fantini and Van Maren discuss the complex negative attitude toward Christians, persecution of Christians in Europe that is largely ignored, and what that means for Christians moving forward.
Especially during these difficult times when churches are closed across the world, this is a great reminder of the hundreds of thousands of Christians that can't attend service regularly and/or risk their lives to worship God.


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Trump preps America for ‘very tough 2 weeks’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump struck a grim tone during Tuesday ’ s White House briefing on the coronavirus outbreak , telling Americans the next two weeks would be “ painful ” both due to a rise in deaths as well as the economic toll of quarantine .
The administration formally updated its “ 15 Days to Slow the Spread ” to 30 days in a new document that urges Americans to “ work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible , ” “ avoid social gatherings in groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ avoid discretionary travel , shopping trips , and social visits , ” among hygiene tips .
“ This is going to be a rough two week period , ” Trump said .
“ As a nation we ’ re going to have a really rough two weeks .
Our strength will be tested and our endurance will be tried.
” “ It is absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines , ” he added .
“ It ’ s a matter of life and death.
” Whether Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be left up to local authorities across the country .
The president ’ s top medical advisers , Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx , said that based on the projections they ’ ve been operating from , the United States could ultimately see anywhere from 100,000 to 240,000 Americans die from COVID-19 ( the illness caused by the coronavirus ) – a number they say could have been as high as 2.2 million in the absence of preventative measures .
The administration is working “ very hard to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some have questioned those models , however , noting they are based on incomplete information and assumptions that may not reflect all the relevant variables among countries , such as overall health , medical system , age , and population density .
In the meantime , debate rages as to whether comprehensive lockdowns are necessary or appropriate for every part of the country , given the toll the lockdowns have taken on personal liberties , job losses , and even healthcare capacity .
Meanwhile , CNN is under fire for declining to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the briefing , only cutting to it when Birx was about to speak .
The move follows a growing chorus of media outlets complaining that the press should , in the words of the Washington Post ’ s Margaret Sullivan , “ stop live-broadcasting Trump ’ s dangerous , destructive coronavirus briefings.
” Conservatives call those demands a flip-flop from the mainstream media ’ s previous complaints that the administration wasn ’ t taking COVID-19 seriously enough , motivated by the rising approval ratings for Trump ’ s handling of the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ States has seen 205,438 cases of COVID-19 , with 4,528 deaths and 8,762 recoveries .
It remains unknown when the coronavirus first reached American shores and what percentage of the public has actually come into contact with it .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

'This is going to be a rough two week period,' said Trump, whose press briefings are increasingly coming under fire from left-wing media.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump struck a grim tone during Tuesday’s White House briefing on the coronavirus outbreak, telling Americans the next two weeks would be “painful” both due to a rise in deaths as well as the economic toll of quarantine.
The administration formally updated its “15 Days to Slow the Spread” to 30 days in a new document that urges Americans to “work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible,” “avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people,” and “avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits,” among hygiene tips.
“This is going to be a rough two week period,” Trump said. “As a nation we’re going to have a really rough two weeks. Our strength will be tested and our endurance will be tried.”
“It is absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines,” he added. “It’s a matter of life and death.” Whether Americans are forced to do so, however, will be left up to local authorities across the country.
The president’s top medical advisers, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, said that based on the projections they’ve been operating from, the United States could ultimately see anywhere from 100,000 to 240,000 Americans die from COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus) – a number they say could have been as high as 2.2 million in the absence of preventative measures.
The administration is working “very hard to bring that number down,” Fauci said.
Some have questioned those models, however, noting they are based on incomplete information and assumptions that may not reflect all the relevant variables among countries, such as overall health, medical system, age, and population density. In the meantime, debate rages as to whether comprehensive lockdowns are necessary or appropriate for every part of the country, given the toll the lockdowns have taken on personal liberties, job losses, and even healthcare capacity.
Meanwhile, CNN is under fire for declining to air the president’s remarks from the briefing, only cutting to it when Birx was about to speak. The move follows a growing chorus of media outlets complaining that the press should, in the words of the Washington Post’s Margaret Sullivan, “stop live-broadcasting Trump’s dangerous, destructive coronavirus briefings.”
Conservatives call those demands a flip-flop from the mainstream media’s previous complaints that the administration wasn’t taking COVID-19 seriously enough, motivated by the rising approval ratings for Trump’s handling of the crisis.
LifeSiteNews has begun live-streaming Trump’s briefings each evening.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the United States has seen 205,438 cases of COVID-19, with 4,528 deaths and 8,762 recoveries. It remains unknown when the coronavirus first reached American shores and what percentage of the public has actually come into contact with it.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Bishops betray Catholics in allowing sacraments to be deemed ‘non-essential’ in COVID-19 battle

April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Rome , we have a problem .
In the midst of a crisis with the world ripe for evangelization , as people seek the comfort only God can bring , our sacraments are locked away for fear of the coronavirus .
Good Friday has arrived in the most authentic Lenten period of our lives , and as the devil crowns God ’ s creation with thorns , Catholic shepherds , like Simon Peter , seem to be denying Jesus ’ power through the Eucharist to save us .
As a believer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countless questions as I attempt to understand exactly why those doors of our churches are locked .
Yes , COVID-19 makes me concerned for my earthly life , and yes , I would greatly prefer to live through this pandemic and yes , I strongly believe in taking precautions to prevent the virus ’ spread .
However , I personally would rather contract the coronavirus while receiving the sacraments than be spiritually starved , risking loss of eternal life by having them denied to me .
Worst-case predictions make COVID-19 less deadly than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for abortion .
This raises the question about why the Church is only now concerned enough about the value of human life to act in such a drastic manner ?
In 2017 , 862,000 Americans died by abortion .
Abortion gives US children in the womb a 18 % fatality rate .
As of this writing , there have only been 4,600 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. , with a fatality rate expected to be just over 1 percent .
Why can the faithful not receive the two vital sacraments needed for daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential in the battle against COVID-19 , why or when would we ever need it ?
Since my first communion many years ago , I have been given “ that bread ” always .
Last Sunday , with the world in crisis , I suffered my first denial and the available “ Virtual Communion ” left me empty .
As many of us face indefinite denials we should make a thoughtful decision about which bread is more important to us .
By the Church ’ s voluntary removal of the Bread of Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time instructing the faithful to avoid purchasing worldly bread ( or anything else ) at grocery stores , our shepherds are concurring with a secular world that prioritizes nourishment for the body over nourishment for the soul .
At the Last Supper , it was not so .
Equally troubling is the question I can no longer answer , frequently asked by our Christian brethren .
Why do we need to confess our sins through an intermediary ?
COVID-19 is a worldly affliction that is calling us to repentance and our priests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s children are in greatest need .
The sacraments have been relegated to a priority below that of buying a hot dog bun .
After this crisis ends our bishops should not wonder why Catholics have left their parishes for that super friendly , feeling good , woke Christian Church down the street with the good music .
If the sacraments are not all that important then the Catholic Church is nothing special .
From the communications we have received from our dioceses , the impression comes that our priests are being ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corona crisis to end .
First if this is not true , our priests need to communicate otherwise .
If it is true , it should not be .
I am a physician ; I treat the physical body .
How much more valuable to the community is the Catholic priest , whose job it is to treat the spiritual body ?
If I am successful , my patients may live a little longer and have a better quality of life .
But all my patients die ( eventually ) .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference between eternal damnation and never-ending life with God for one of his sheep .
During this COVID crisis , from the ER physician to the grocery bagger , many people are putting themselves at risk to serve the community .
Should not the priest be there as well , making the sacraments available , while taking all reasonable precautions ?
Every day , our bishops should be working closely with government officials and medical experts to develop protocols to bring the faithful the sacraments .
Here is one I propose as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy priests would consecrate the hosts during live streamed ( if possible ) private Masses .
At a designated time , the priest would be available in a large closed off outdoor area through which cars could process .
At the entrance point to the area a screener would ask appropriate health and religious questions and possibly measure temperature .
Those who were high risk would be turned away and forced to follow another protocol to receive the Eucharist .
Those who passed screening would proceed into the line of cars and proceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protective mask .
After giving the Eucharist to each member in the car , the priest would purify his hands ( by means of an ablution bowl and purifier ) , disinfect his hands , and take at one time the number of hosts needed for the communicants in the next car .
He would then beckon that car forward with the Eucharist distributed in a method of the priest ’ s choosing .
Is the problem inherent with providing the sacraments one of logistics or is it concern for social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to help with logistics .
And following government demands for social distancing still allows us to shop for essentials and purchase McDonald ’ s takeout .
If the plan for provision of Communion and Reconciliation is properly and passionately presented to government officials , making them explicitly aware of the necessity of the sacraments to bring healing to their community , denial seems unlikely .
The dilemma posed by possible government refusal would require close examination of Jesus ’ words , “ give to God what belongs to God ; give to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courageous response would be insisting that the sacraments belong to God , and move forward .
To not move forward would be a crisis of courage which , although troubling , would actually be more comforting than the crisis of faith appearing now , in which our shepherds fail to see the importance of the sacraments in defeating this evil scourge .
It has taken 50 years to arrive at our current crisis in faith .
What began with the contraceptive pill and the idea that sex is primarily about pleasure has led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to widespread sexual abuse and homosexuality within its ranks , and eventually the refusal of our bishops to sincerely accept the value of unborn life .
The years of inaction in the face of 61,000,000 American abortions has devalued human life in the womb , while making life outside the womb now seemingly more valuable than heavenly life .
Read “ Too many Catholic bishops don ’ t really seem to care about ending abortion ” for more about this .
Rather than address these foundational issues resolutely , the faithful have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change and immigration , for which our clergy has little expertise and for which no coherent Catholic solution has been formulated .
Emphasizing these issues , however , has generally brought our shepherds secular praise , and relieved them from having to make the type of courageous decisions they should be making now , but appear unwilling or unable to .
In 2018 as Pope Francis questioned President Trump ’ s Christianity regarding immigration , he was making a deal with China to allow the communists to help select Catholic bishops .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to enter into the Catholic Church in China with now ironic , but tragic results , first for Italy and now the United States .
The COVID-19 crisis is about the Lord calling the world back to faith .
In our arrogance man thinks he can control the uncontrollable ; he can not .
Being a Catholic in these times is even more difficult as the Church is in crisis as well .
However , the solution to both crises is straightforward ; my pastor relayed it to me a few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gospel.
” We can do it now or do it later ; it will require the Sacraments .
Peter Michael Bleyer , MD , is a Board Certified Family Practice Physician working as a wound care physician in Conway , South Carolina .
He is a member of the Catholic Medical Association .
He is a father of five and a US Navy retiree .

Urgent appeal to bishops: Fight to make sacraments more available to your faithful Sign the petition here.
April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Rome, we have a problem. In the midst of a crisis with the world ripe for evangelization, as people seek the comfort only God can bring, our sacraments are locked away for fear of the coronavirus. Good Friday has arrived in the most authentic Lenten period of our lives, and as the devil crowns God’s creation with thorns, Catholic shepherds, like Simon Peter, seem to be denying Jesus’ power through the Eucharist to save us.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I am left with countless questions as I attempt to understand exactly why those doors of our churches are locked. Yes, COVID-19 makes me concerned for my earthly life, and yes, I would greatly prefer to live through this pandemic and yes, I strongly believe in taking precautions to prevent the virus’ spread. However, I personally would rather contract the coronavirus while receiving the sacraments than be spiritually starved, risking loss of eternal life by having them denied to me.
Worst-case predictions make COVID-19 less deadly than being in the womb, a target for abortion. This raises the question about why the Church is only now concerned enough about the value of human life to act in such a drastic manner? In 2017, 862,000 Americans died by abortion. Abortion gives US children in the womb a 18% fatality rate. As of this writing, there have only been 4,600 coronavirus deaths in the U.S., with a fatality rate expected to be just over 1 percent.
…for the bread of God is the bread which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 'Sir,' they said, 'give us that bread always.' Jesus answered them: I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever hunger; no one who believes in me will ever thirst. John 6:33-35
Why can the faithful not receive the two vital sacraments needed for daily life? If the Eucharist is not essential in the battle against COVID-19, why or when would we ever need it?
Since my first communion many years ago, I have been given “that bread” always. Last Sunday, with the world in crisis, I suffered my first denial and the available “Virtual Communion” left me empty. As many of us face indefinite denials we should make a thoughtful decision about which bread is more important to us.
By the Church’s voluntary removal of the Bread of Life from our lives, without at the same time instructing the faithful to avoid purchasing worldly bread (or anything else) at grocery stores, our shepherds are concurring with a secular world that prioritizes nourishment for the body over nourishment for the soul.
At the Last Supper, it was not so.
Equally troubling is the question I can no longer answer, frequently asked by our Christian brethren. Why do we need to confess our sins through an intermediary? COVID-19 is a worldly affliction that is calling us to repentance and our priests are being made unavailable when God’s children are in greatest need.
The sacraments have been relegated to a priority below that of buying a hot dog bun.
After this crisis ends our bishops should not wonder why Catholics have left their parishes for that super friendly, feeling good, woke Christian Church down the street with the good music. If the sacraments are not all that important then the Catholic Church is nothing special.
From the communications we have received from our dioceses, the impression comes that our priests are being ordered to hunker down and wait for the corona crisis to end. First if this is not true, our priests need to communicate otherwise. If it is true, it should not be.
I am a physician; I treat the physical body. How much more valuable to the community is the Catholic priest, whose job it is to treat the spiritual body? If I am successful, my patients may live a little longer and have a better quality of life. But all my patients die (eventually). For the priest, his effort could mean the difference between eternal damnation and never-ending life with God for one of his sheep.
During this COVID crisis, from the ER physician to the grocery bagger, many people are putting themselves at risk to serve the community. Should not the priest be there as well, making the sacraments available, while taking all reasonable precautions?
Every day, our bishops should be working closely with government officials and medical experts to develop protocols to bring the faithful the sacraments. Here is one I propose as a starting point.
After proper preparation, healthy priests would consecrate the hosts during live streamed (if possible) private Masses. At a designated time, the priest would be available in a large closed off outdoor area through which cars could process. At the entrance point to the area a screener would ask appropriate health and religious questions and possibly measure temperature. Those who were high risk would be turned away and forced to follow another protocol to receive the Eucharist. Those who passed screening would proceed into the line of cars and proceed to the priest who would be wearing a protective mask. After giving the Eucharist to each member in the car, the priest would purify his hands (by means of an ablution bowl and purifier), disinfect his hands, and take at one time the number of hosts needed for the communicants in the next car. He would then beckon that car forward with the Eucharist distributed in a method of the priest’s choosing.
Is the problem inherent with providing the sacraments one of logistics or is it concern for social distancing? Many of us are available and willing to help with logistics. And following government demands for social distancing still allows us to shop for essentials and purchase McDonald’s takeout. If the plan for provision of Communion and Reconciliation is properly and passionately presented to government officials, making them explicitly aware of the necessity of the sacraments to bring healing to their community, denial seems unlikely. The dilemma posed by possible government refusal would require close examination of Jesus’ words, “give to God what belongs to God; give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” The courageous response would be insisting that the sacraments belong to God, and move forward. To not move forward would be a crisis of courage which, although troubling, would actually be more comforting than the crisis of faith appearing now, in which our shepherds fail to see the importance of the sacraments in defeating this evil scourge.
It has taken 50 years to arrive at our current crisis in faith. What began with the contraceptive pill and the idea that sex is primarily about pleasure has led to the clergy’s weak response to widespread sexual abuse and homosexuality within its ranks, and eventually the refusal of our bishops to sincerely accept the value of unborn life.
The years of inaction in the face of 61,000,000 American abortions has devalued human life in the womb, while making life outside the womb now seemingly more valuable than heavenly life. Read “Too many Catholic bishops don’t really seem to care about ending abortion” for more about this. Rather than address these foundational issues resolutely, the faithful have been distracted with talk of complex subjects like climate change and immigration, for which our clergy has little expertise and for which no coherent Catholic solution has been formulated. Emphasizing these issues, however, has generally brought our shepherds secular praise, and relieved them from having to make the type of courageous decisions they should be making now, but appear unwilling or unable to. In 2018 as Pope Francis questioned President Trump’s Christianity regarding immigration, he was making a deal with China to allow the communists to help select Catholic bishops. Figuratively speaking the virus of Communism was allowed to enter into the Catholic Church in China with now ironic, but tragic results, first for Italy and now the United States.
The COVID-19 crisis is about the Lord calling the world back to faith. In our arrogance man thinks he can control the uncontrollable; he cannot. Being a Catholic in these times is even more difficult as the Church is in crisis as well. However, the solution to both crises is straightforward; my pastor relayed it to me a few weeks ago, “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
We can do it now or do it later; it will require the Sacraments.
Peter Michael Bleyer, MD, is a Board Certified Family Practice Physician working as a wound care physician in Conway, South Carolina. He is a member of the Catholic Medical Association. He is a father of five and a US Navy retiree.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Looking to work from home? LifeSite needs part-time help

We are facing a growing assault on all that is good and true in our world , and we need passionate , faith-filled men and women to come and join the fight to restore the Christian foundations of our society .
LifeSiteNews is an international news agency devoted to defending life and the family , and restoring Christian culture .
Through daily breaking news , investigative exposés , and incisive analysis , as well as our growing video and podcast offerings , we aim to educate and activate our readers with the information they need to fight the most crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , workplaces , and families .
Right now , we are hiring a U.S.-based part-time Human Resources and Payroll Assistant to work closely with our Administrative Director to ensure that we are compliant with all necessary U.S. federal and state laws .
Our office is in Virginia , but the position is open to tele-commuters .
As our mission and international readership has grown immensely in the last year , our staff needs have grown too .
This position will be crucial in helping the organization run efficiently .
Click here to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //lifesitenews.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php ?
id=53

We are facing a growing assault on all that is good and true in our world, and we need passionate, faith-filled men and women to come and join the fight to restore the Christian foundations of our society.
LifeSiteNews is an international news agency devoted to defending life and the family, and restoring Christian culture. Through daily breaking news, investigative exposés, and incisive analysis, as well as our growing video and podcast offerings, we aim to educate and activate our readers with the information they need to fight the most crucial battles of our day in their churches, workplaces, and families.
Right now, we are hiring a U.S.-based part-time Human Resources and Payroll Assistant to work closely with our Administrative Director to ensure that we are compliant with all necessary U.S. federal and state laws. Our office is in Virginia, but the position is open to tele-commuters.
As our mission and international readership has grown immensely in the last year, our staff needs have grown too. This position will be crucial in helping the organization run efficiently.
Click here to read more about the job and apply: https://lifesitenews.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=53
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--Problematic definition of ‘COVID-19 death’ may be inflating death rate, leading to draconian lockdow

Problematic definition of ‘COVID-19 death’ may be inflating death rate, leading to draconian lockdowns

April 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Some have questioned whether the extreme measures taken to attempt to reduce the spread of “ Covid-19 ” may be doing more harm than good .
One question that arises is : upon what facts are government entities basing their decisions to lock up entire states and cancel the public celebration of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ?
Decisions throughout America are likely based , at least partially , upon the tally of “ Covid-19 deaths ” .
It is a somewhat ambiguous phrase , and when one performs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not appear to be a clear universal definition of a “ Covid-19 death.
” In the U.S. , the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) is the authoritative source for a definition .
But a definition does not appear to be explicitly stated in expected locations ; the CDC ’ s Covid-19 cases and deaths statistics ’ page does not provide a definition of “ Covid-19 death.
” Does the phrase only refer to deaths from severe acute respiratory syndrome solely caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus ?
Or does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased people who have received a positive test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus ?
Does it refer to some who have been merely assumed to have died indirectly from Covid-19-like complications ?
Does the “ Covid-19 death ” tally include deceased who had co-infections with other viruses which can cause severe acute respiratory symptoms or pneumonia like H1N1 , influenza A or B , or respiratory syncytial virus and thus could also be tallied as a “ swine flu/H1N1 death ” or “ influenza death ” ?
Are some “ Covid-19 deaths ” resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than severe acute respiratory syndrome ?
Most commentators have focused on comparing Covid-19 to influenza , but respiratory syncytial virus can also cause pneumonia and results in an estimated 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in the U.S. each year .
Can a “ Covid-19 death ” also be the result of a co-infection with respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV ) and therefore be labeled as an “ RSV death ” ?
Additionally , the CDC ’ s Covid-19 tally includes “ presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC ” ( added emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 deaths ” also include “ presumptive positive cases of Covid-19 ” ?
Are states and the federal government basing decisions to prohibit public celebration of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , impose unemployment , potential poverty , and potentially life-threatening problems on millions of Americans off of faulty and misleading assumptions and presumptions ?
Again , it is not outright evident what is included in the phrase “ Covid-19 death.
” One has to do some literature research on the source of mortality data for potential hints .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he basic source of information about mortality is the death certificate.
” One clue , then , is observable in how the CDC is advising physicians to fill out death certificates .
Death certificates should describe immediate cause of death as well as factors contributing to death .
In many states , death certificates are public records .
From the CDC : Death certificates are used for surveillance [ of HIV/AIDS , influenza , pneumonia , tuberculosis , etc . ]
, outbreaks , and emergency activities…because death is a sentinel event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
The information is used at local and state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) for rapid response .
( No .
6 ) It is apparent , then , that national mortality data including the CDC ’ s “ Covid-19 deaths ” statistics arise from what is reported on death certificates .
Physicians document the medical information on the death certificate .
How , then , are physicians advised to record a death in which SARS-CoV-2 virus or “ Covid-19 ” may be involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 Alert ” dated March 24 , 2020 with guidance on the topic .
The document summarizes potential questions from death certificate certifiers , which are most often physicians .
One question which indicates how broadly “ Covid-19 death ” is being defined is , “ [ s ] hould ‘ COVID-19 ’ be reported on the death certificate only with a confirmed test ?
” The CDC gives the following guidance : COVID-19 should be reported on the death certificate for all decedents where the disease caused or is assumed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should include as much detail as possible based on their knowledge of the case , medical records , laboratory testing , etc .
If the decedent had other chronic conditions such as COPD or asthma that may have also contributed , these conditions can be reported in Part II .
[ Original emphasis ] If Covid-19 is “ assumed to have caused ” or “ assumed to…have contributed to death ” , it is to be reported on the death certificate .
“ Covid-19 caused death ” and “ Covid-19 is assumed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two very different descriptions ; yet , they are apparently included under the same phrase of “ Covid-19 death.
” Furthermore , as it is written above , a deceased may be included as a “ Covid-19 death ” even if the deceased was not confirmed to have had Covid-19 .
It is known that many “ Covid-19 deaths ” occur in individuals with multiple underlying medical problems .
And if a “ Covid-19 death ” includes “ decedents where the disease caused or is assumed to have caused or contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , then it follows that the CDC ’ s official tally of “ Covid-19 deaths ” does not mean what millions of Americans think it means .
“ Covid-19 deaths ” also apparently includes deceased who may have had co-infections with other viruses which also could be “ assumed to have contributed to death ” .
Examples include HIV/AIDS which weakens the immune system along with non-Covid-19 viruses which may cause pneumonia and severe acute respiratory symptoms .
How many “ Covid-19 deaths ” are among persons with multiple viral infections ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to death in a patient who already has pneumonia resulting from H1N1 .
Or , one could assume there are deceased who have tested positive for co-infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus , the swine flu , influenza , and/or respiratory syncyctial virus .
According to the above federal government guidance to physicians , the death certificate of such deceased who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus along with other viral infections would be counted in the CDC ’ s tally of “ Covid-19 deaths.
” A related statistic that does not appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 deaths ” among immunodeficient persons .
A reasonable person might ask if the deceased recorded as “ Covid-19 deaths ” contracted respiratory syncytial virus or influenza instead of SARS-CoV-2 virus , would they still likely die ?
And if those are included in the “ Covid-19 deaths ” , should mortality data of those deaths be the basis for shutting down almost the entire country ?
How many “ Covid-19 deaths ” are among working-aged or working-class persons without immunodeficiency ?
This is not to trivialize life and death but instead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among powerful government authorities .
The CDC ’ s alert above indicates that “ Covid-19 deaths ” includes some who may not have even tested positive for the virus .
Other “ Covid-19 deaths ” may include mere assumptions that Covid-19 probably contributed to death in persons that may have succumbed to other viruses had they contracted them .
Notably , too , the above guidance on how Covid-19 deaths should be reported by physicians on death certificates is dated March 24 , 2020 .
The alert provides a very broad guidance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is then apparently included in the CDC ’ s tally of “ Covid-19 death ” mortality data .
If one views the data of daily reported deaths after March 24 , 2020 , one finds that there was an apparent sudden increase in daily “ Covid-19 deaths.
” This may not be due to spread of the virus , though , as one may be misled to think .
It may be a result of the March 24 , 2020 guideline from the CDC which says that “ COVID-19 should be reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the disease caused or is “ assumed to have caused or contributed to death ” ; as this is stated , it would include some that have not tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus .
And , as written , it includes many others that may have co-infections with other viruses which may be “ assumed to have contributed to death ” .
Or , it could include patients with COPD and a recent history of pneumonia resulting as a side effect of certain medications but with Covid-19 “ assumed to have contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistics of “ Covid-19 deaths ” could have immediately inflated after March 24 , 2020 as a result .
And , the CDC itself notes that it is often the case that deceased individuals have “ so many medical problems ” which make it difficult to specify the underlying cause of death on a death certificate .
Apparently in reference to such circumstances , the CDC guides in the following manner : the rules for coding and selection of the underlying cause of death are expected to result in COVID19 being the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus will already likely be reported to the state and local health departments as well as the CDC , and since the CDC is nudging physicians to include Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death , it seems likely that physicians will “ more often than not ” include this on the death certificate just to be safe in terms of preventing possible future legal action .
Oftentimes Catholics get falsely accused of opposing science .
Here we have a case of a powerful government entity using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-determined or skewed results which may inflate mortality data .
That is in opposition to basic scientific principles .
If drug study leaders ( with trillions of dollars to potentially give to hospitals ) comparing two different drugs informed all physician participants throughout the U.S. to expect to report Drug A to be effective or to report “ more often than not ” Drug B will be the underlying cause of death , the results of such a study would be considered at minimum not trustworthy .
Indeed , the “ Covid-19 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined in the way that most people think .
And it appears as though some of the most extreme decisions in the history of America may not be based upon scientific evidence but instead on projections , assumptions , probables , and possibly inflated mortality rates .
Robert L. Kinney III , Pharm.D.
, M.A .
holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University and an M.A .
in Philosophy with a concentration in bioethics from Franciscan University of Steubenville .
He has been published in The Linacre Quarterly , National Catholic Bioethics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pastoral Review .

'Some of the most extreme decisions in the history of America may not be based upon scientific evidence but instead on projections, assumptions, probables, and possibly inflated mortality rate'
ANALYSIS
April 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Some have questioned whether the extreme measures taken to attempt to reduce the spread of “Covid-19” may be doing more harm than good. One question that arises is: upon what facts are government entities basing their decisions to lock up entire states and cancel the public celebration of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
Decisions throughout America are likely based, at least partially, upon the tally of “Covid-19 deaths”. It is a somewhat ambiguous phrase, and when one performs the research, one likely finds that there does not appear to be a clear universal definition of a “Covid-19 death.”
In the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the authoritative source for a definition. But a definition does not appear to be explicitly stated in expected locations; the CDC’s Covid-19 cases and deaths statistics’ page does not provide a definition of “Covid-19 death.” Does the phrase only refer to deaths from severe acute respiratory syndrome solely caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Or does “Covid-19 death” refer to all deceased people who have received a positive test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Does it refer to some who have been merely assumed to have died indirectly from Covid-19-like complications? Does the “Covid-19 death” tally include deceased who had co-infections with other viruses which can cause severe acute respiratory symptoms or pneumonia like H1N1, influenza A or B, or respiratory syncytial virus and thus could also be tallied as a “swine flu/H1N1 death” or “influenza death”?
Are some “Covid-19 deaths” resulting from easily preventable conditions like dehydration rather than severe acute respiratory syndrome?
Most commentators have focused on comparing Covid-19 to influenza, but respiratory syncytial virus can also cause pneumonia and results in an estimated 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Can a “Covid-19 death” also be the result of a co-infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and therefore be labeled as an “RSV death”?
Additionally, the CDC’s Covid-19 tally includes “presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC” (added emphasis). Does the tally of “Covid-19 deaths” also include “presumptive positive cases of Covid-19”? Are states and the federal government basing decisions to prohibit public celebration of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, impose unemployment, potential poverty, and potentially life-threatening problems on millions of Americans off of faulty and misleading assumptions and presumptions?
Again, it is not outright evident what is included in the phrase “Covid-19 death.” One has to do some literature research on the source of mortality data for potential hints. According to the CDC, “[t]he basic source of information about mortality is the death certificate.” One clue, then, is observable in how the CDC is advising physicians to fill out death certificates. Death certificates should describe immediate cause of death as well as factors contributing to death. In many states, death certificates are public records. From the CDC:
Death certificates are used for surveillance [of HIV/AIDS, influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.], outbreaks, and emergency activities…because death is a sentinel event. Rapid reporting of deaths is required by law. The information is used at local and state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for rapid response. (No. 6)
It is apparent, then, that national mortality data including the CDC’s “Covid-19 deaths” statistics arise from what is reported on death certificates.
Physicians document the medical information on the death certificate. How, then, are physicians advised to record a death in which SARS-CoV-2 virus or “Covid-19” may be involved?
The CDC recently published a “Covid-19 Alert” dated March 24, 2020 with guidance on the topic. The document summarizes potential questions from death certificate certifiers, which are most often physicians. One question which indicates how broadly “Covid-19 death” is being defined is, “[s]hould ‘COVID-19’ be reported on the death certificate only with a confirmed test?” The CDC gives the following guidance:
COVID-19 should be reported on the death certificate for all decedents where the disease caused or is assumed to have caused or contributed to death. Certifiers should include as much detail as possible based on their knowledge of the case, medical records, laboratory testing, etc. If the decedent had other chronic conditions such as COPD or asthma that may have also contributed, these conditions can be reported in Part II. [Original emphasis]
If Covid-19 is “assumed to have caused” or “assumed to…have contributed to death”, it is to be reported on the death certificate. “Covid-19 caused death” and “Covid-19 is assumed to have caused or contributed to death” are two very different descriptions; yet, they are apparently included under the same phrase of “Covid-19 death.” Furthermore, as it is written above, a deceased may be included as a “Covid-19 death” even if the deceased was not confirmed to have had Covid-19.
It is known that many “Covid-19 deaths” occur in individuals with multiple underlying medical problems. And if a “Covid-19 death” includes “decedents where the disease caused or is assumed to have caused or contributed to death”, as the alert above states, then it follows that the CDC’s official tally of “Covid-19 deaths” does not mean what millions of Americans think it means.
“Covid-19 deaths” also apparently includes deceased who may have had co-infections with other viruses which also could be “assumed to have contributed to death”. Examples include HIV/AIDS which weakens the immune system along with non-Covid-19 viruses which may cause pneumonia and severe acute respiratory symptoms. How many “Covid-19 deaths” are among persons with multiple viral infections?
One could assume that SARS-CoV-2 virus would contribute to death in a patient who already has pneumonia resulting from H1N1. Or, one could assume there are deceased who have tested positive for co-infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the swine flu, influenza, and/or respiratory syncyctial virus. According to the above federal government guidance to physicians, the death certificate of such deceased who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus along with other viral infections would be counted in the CDC’s tally of “Covid-19 deaths.”
A related statistic that does not appear to be publicized is the number of “Covid-19 deaths” among immunodeficient persons. A reasonable person might ask if the deceased recorded as “Covid-19 deaths” contracted respiratory syncytial virus or influenza instead of SARS-CoV-2 virus, would they still likely die? And if those are included in the “Covid-19 deaths”, should mortality data of those deaths be the basis for shutting down almost the entire country? How many “Covid-19 deaths” are among working-aged or working-class persons without immunodeficiency? This is not to trivialize life and death but instead to question possibly problematic logic in decision making among powerful government authorities.
The CDC’s alert above indicates that “Covid-19 deaths” includes some who may not have even tested positive for the virus. Other “Covid-19 deaths” may include mere assumptions that Covid-19 probably contributed to death in persons that may have succumbed to other viruses had they contracted them.
Notably, too, the above guidance on how Covid-19 deaths should be reported by physicians on death certificates is dated March 24, 2020. The alert provides a very broad guidance of what physicians should report on death certificates and is then apparently included in the CDC’s tally of “Covid-19 death” mortality data. If one views the data of daily reported deaths after March 24, 2020, one finds that there was an apparent sudden increase in daily “Covid-19 deaths.” This may not be due to spread of the virus, though, as one may be misled to think. It may be a result of the March 24, 2020 guideline from the CDC which says that “COVID-19 should be reported on the death certificate for all decedents where the disease caused or is “assumed to have caused or contributed to death”; as this is stated, it would include some that have not tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus. And, as written, it includes many others that may have co-infections with other viruses which may be “assumed to have contributed to death”. Or, it could include patients with COPD and a recent history of pneumonia resulting as a side effect of certain medications but with Covid-19 “assumed to have contributed to death”. Thus, mortality statistics of “Covid-19 deaths” could have immediately inflated after March 24, 2020 as a result.
And, the CDC itself notes that it is often the case that deceased individuals have “so many medical problems” which make it difficult to specify the underlying cause of death on a death certificate. Apparently in reference to such circumstances, the CDC guides in the following manner:
the rules for coding and selection of the underlying cause of death are expected to result in COVID19 being the underlying cause more often than not.
Since all patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus will already likely be reported to the state and local health departments as well as the CDC, and since the CDC is nudging physicians to include Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death, it seems likely that physicians will “more often than not” include this on the death certificate just to be safe in terms of preventing possible future legal action.
Oftentimes Catholics get falsely accused of opposing science. Here we have a case of a powerful government entity using assumptions, “probables”, and pre-determined or skewed results which may inflate mortality data. That is in opposition to basic scientific principles. If drug study leaders (with trillions of dollars to potentially give to hospitals) comparing two different drugs informed all physician participants throughout the U.S. to expect to report Drug A to be effective or to report “more often than not” Drug B will be the underlying cause of death, the results of such a study would be considered at minimum not trustworthy.
Indeed, the “Covid-19 deaths” tally does not appear to be defined in the way that most people think. And it appears as though some of the most extreme decisions in the history of America may not be based upon scientific evidence but instead on projections, assumptions, probables, and possibly inflated mortality rates.
Robert L. Kinney III, Pharm.D., M.A. holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University and an M.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in bioethics from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has been published in The Linacre Quarterly, National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, Crisismagazine.com, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-01--We must not become despondent in the face of challenges

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 4.1.2020. Today, Mother speaks about staying resilient and faithful. We must not lose faith and allow ourselves to become depressed or despondent.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.