lifesitenews--2020-03-16--How to make a Spiritual Communion when Mass is banned because of coronavirus

March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – If you are unable to attend Mass because of measures taken by your diocese to halt the spread of the coronavirus or are otherwise homebound , consider making an act of Spiritual Communion .
Saints down through the ages have recommended this simple practice .
“ If we are deprived of Sacramental Communion , let us replace it , as far as we can , by spiritual communion , which we can make every moment ; for we ought to have always a burning desire to receive the good God , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to the soul like blowing a fire that is beginning to go out , but that has still plenty of hot embers ; we blow , and the fire burns again , ” he continued .
“ After the reception of the Sacraments , when we feel ourselves slacken in the love of God , let us have recourse at once to spiritual communion .
When we can not go to the church , let us turn towards the tabernacle ; no wall can not separate us from the good God.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.
” “ What a source of grace there is in spiritual Communion !
” declared St. Josemaría Escrivá .
“ Practise it frequently and you 'll have more presence of God and closer union with him in your life.
” “ When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass , you can make a spiritual communion , which is a most beneficial practice , ” wrote St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.
” I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament .
I love You above all things , and I desire to receive You into my soul .
Since I can not at this moment receive You sacramentally , come at least spiritually into my heart .
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You .
Never permit me to be separated from You .

March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – If you are unable to attend Mass because of measures taken by your diocese to halt the spread of the coronavirus or are otherwise homebound, consider making an act of Spiritual Communion.
Saints down through the ages have recommended this simple practice.
“If we are deprived of Sacramental Communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, by spiritual communion, which we can make every moment; for we ought to have always a burning desire to receive the good God,” said St. Jean-Marie Vianney.
“Communion is to the soul like blowing a fire that is beginning to go out, but that has still plenty of hot embers; we blow, and the fire burns again,” he continued. “After the reception of the Sacraments, when we feel ourselves slacken in the love of God, let us have recourse at once to spiritual communion. When we cannot go to the church, let us turn towards the tabernacle; no wall cannot separate us from the good God.”
St. Thomas Aquinas described Spiritual Communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.”
“What a source of grace there is in spiritual Communion!” declared St. Josemaría Escrivá. “Practise it frequently and you'll have more presence of God and closer union with him in your life.”
“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice,” wrote St. Teresa of Jesus, “by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.”
Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at
least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly
to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Coronavirus proves we live in a godless society and need Jesus more than ever

March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Our reaction to the coronavirus reflects the crisis of our secular godless society .
The problem is not the virus—as potentially lethal as it might be .
This outbreak is a biological fact , like so many that have plagued humanity over the ages .
While a virus is apolitical , it can , however , have political consequences .
Much more volatile than the coronavirus is the fear of it .
A coronaphobia is rattling the globe .
In this sense , the reaction to the coronavirus is extremely political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has turned its back on God .
We face the crisis trusting only in ourselves and our devices .
Indeed , the management of the coronavirus crisis accepts no help from outside .
God has no meaning or function inside all the efforts to eradicate it .
In God ’ s stead , there are the immense powers of government mobilized to control every aspect of life to prevent its spread .
The mighty arm of science scrambles to find a vaccine .
The worlds of finance and technology are brought to bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
While all human efforts must be used to solve the problems , they have not produced the desired results .
Present attempts have disappointed a frenetically intemperate society addicted to instant , push-button solutions .
The world has been forced to shut down with no definite timeline as to when the crisis will end .
For this reason , it is so terrifying .
There are few mitigating institutions like the Church to make its treatment humane and bearable .
We are left alone to face this great danger .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taking them out of society .
In many cases , it is the individual against the State .
Technicians in hazmat suits treat men and women as if they are the virus .
In totalitarian China and other places , officials employ brutal violence to force compliance with drastic directives .
No Longer in Need of God A virus is also a-religious .
However , that does not prevent it from having a religious dimension .
The coronavirus comes at a time when most in society feel they do not need God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been replaced by bread and circuses .
The modern pleasures point to no need for heaven .
The postmodern vices proclaim no fear of hell .
And yet the coronavirus has the uncanny ability to turn our material paradises into hells .
The cruise ship , the symbol of all earthly delights , became an infected prison for passengers who did everything possible to get out .
Those who have made sports their god now find empty stadiums and canceled tournaments .
Those who adore money now find decimated portfolios and quarantined workforces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their empty schools and universities .
The devotees of consumerism face bare supermarket shelves .
The world we worshipped is tumbling down .
The things for which we glory are now in ruins .
A small microbe has toppled the idols that were once thought so stable , powerful and enduring .
It has brought their worshippers to their knees .
And we still insist that we do not need God .
We will spend trillions of dollars in the futile hope of patching our broken idols .
However , one aspect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is bad enough that God is replaced or ignored .
We have gone one step further .
God is banished from the scene ; He is forbidden to act .
Among the draconian measures decreed , government officials are forbidding public worship .
In Italy , they have banned Masses , stopped communion and confession .
The Church and its holy sacraments are considered an occasion of contagion , treated no different than a sports event or music concert .
In their turn , the media mock the Church claiming that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Church officials are only too willing to comply with such measures .
They deprive the faithful of the sacraments just when they needed them most .
They go beyond what officials ask even to the point of emptying fonts of their holy water and replacing them with sanitizer dispensers .
They discourage the giving of the Last Rites .
Not even miracles are allowed .
Church officials unilaterally closed the miraculous healing baths at Lourdes , in France !
Those miraculous waters have probably cured every disease known to humanity .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the state of our Faith in crisis .
Some might object that taking a non-secular attitude toward the virus requires a leap of faith .
However , we must ask which is the greater leap of faith—to confide in Holy Mother Church or the cold hands of a State that had already shown itself incapable of solving society ’ s problems ?
We have every reason to confide in God .
The problem is that we allow officials to treat the Church as if She knows nothing about healing bodies and souls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church is a mother .
She established the world ’ s first hospitals during the Middle Ages .
The foundations of modern medicine are rooted in Her solicitude for the sick .
She handled each patient as if Christ Himself .
Thus , the Church sent orders of priests , monks and nuns to provide free health care for the poor and sick all over the world .
Down through the ages , amid plague and pestilence , we find the Church in their midst , ministering to the infected despite great dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the souls of the suffering sick .
She comforted , consoled and anointed the afflicted .
She maintained countless shrines , like Lourdes , where the pilgrims are rewarded for their faith with peace of mind , cures and miracles .
In times of plague , the prayers of whole communities might rise to ask God to come to the aid of a sinful society in need of His mercy .
History gives testimony that these prayers were often heard .
When the Church acts as she should , she prevents crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming .
Like a mother , she provides consolation and hope in moments of darkness .
She reminds us that we are not alone and should always have recourse to God .
It makes no sense to banish God from the fight against the coronavirus .
Indeed , the coronavirus crisis should be a call to reject our godless society .
This crisis threatens to go beyond the health crisis and bring down the American economy .
We must , therefore , ask why God is replaced , ignored and banished .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who alone can save us from this disaster .
Turning to God does not mean offering up a symbolic prayer or holding a procession in the hopes of returning to lives of sin and intemperate pleasures .
Instead , it must consist of sincere prayer , sacrifice and penance like that requested by Our Lady at Fatima in 1917 .
Turning to God presupposes an amendment of life in the face of a world that hates God ’ s law and barrels toward its destruction .
It means acting as the Church has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , charity , but , above all , faith and confidence .
All of these Church remedies , full of comfort and healing , are within the grasp of the faithful .
Turning to God does not mean we deny the role of government in handling public health emergencies .
However , Faith must be a major component of any solution .
God is with us .
We should confide in the Blessed Sacrament , the Real Presence of God in the world and the God Who created us .
We should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Blessed Virgin Mary , Health of the Sick , and Mother of Mercy .
John Horvat II is a scholar , researcher , educator , international speaker , and author of the book Return to Order , as well as the author of hundreds of published articles .
He lives in Spring Grove , Pennsylvania where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition , Family and Property .

March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Our reaction to the coronavirus reflects the crisis of our secular godless society.
The problem is not the virus—as potentially lethal as it might be. This outbreak is a biological fact, like so many that have plagued humanity over the ages.
While a virus is apolitical, it can, however, have political consequences. Much more volatile than the coronavirus is the fear of it. A coronaphobia is rattling the globe. In this sense, the reaction to the coronavirus is extremely political and secular. It reflects a society that has turned its back on God. We face the crisis trusting only in ourselves and our devices.
Man All Alone
Indeed, the management of the coronavirus crisis accepts no help from outside. God has no meaning or function inside all the efforts to eradicate it. In God’s stead, there are the immense powers of government mobilized to control every aspect of life to prevent its spread. The mighty arm of science scrambles to find a vaccine. The worlds of finance and technology are brought to bear to mitigate the disastrous effects of the crisis.
While all human efforts must be used to solve the problems, they have not produced the desired results. Present attempts have disappointed a frenetically intemperate society addicted to instant, push-button solutions. The world has been forced to shut down with no definite timeline as to when the crisis will end.
For this reason, it is so terrifying. There are few mitigating institutions like the Church to make its treatment humane and bearable. We are left alone to face this great danger. The tiny virus isolates and alienates its victims, taking them out of society. In many cases, it is the individual against the State. Technicians in hazmat suits treat men and women as if they are the virus. In totalitarian China and other places, officials employ brutal violence to force compliance with drastic directives.
No Longer in Need of God
A virus is also a-religious. However, that does not prevent it from having a religious dimension. The coronavirus comes at a time when most in society feel they do not need God. For these, God has long been replaced by bread and circuses. The modern pleasures point to no need for heaven. The postmodern vices proclaim no fear of hell.
And yet the coronavirus has the uncanny ability to turn our material paradises into hells. The cruise ship, the symbol of all earthly delights, became an infected prison for passengers who did everything possible to get out. Those who have made sports their god now find empty stadiums and canceled tournaments. Those who adore money now find decimated portfolios and quarantined workforces. The worshippers of education look at their empty schools and universities. The devotees of consumerism face bare supermarket shelves. The world we worshipped is tumbling down. The things for which we glory are now in ruins.
A small microbe has toppled the idols that were once thought so stable, powerful and enduring. It has brought their worshippers to their knees. And we still insist that we do not need God. We will spend trillions of dollars in the futile hope of patching our broken idols.
Banishing God
However, one aspect of the coronavirus crisis is still worse. It is bad enough that God is replaced or ignored. We have gone one step further. God is banished from the scene; He is forbidden to act.
Among the draconian measures decreed, government officials are forbidding public worship. In Italy, they have banned Masses, stopped communion and confession. The Church and its holy sacraments are considered an occasion of contagion, treated no different than a sports event or music concert.
In their turn, the media mock the Church claiming that even God has been self-quarantined.
A Crisis of Faith
Sadly, some Church officials are only too willing to comply with such measures. They deprive the faithful of the sacraments just when they needed them most. They go beyond what officials ask even to the point of emptying fonts of their holy water and replacing them with sanitizer dispensers. They discourage the giving of the Last Rites.
Not even miracles are allowed. Church officials unilaterally closed the miraculous healing baths at Lourdes, in France! Those miraculous waters have probably cured every disease known to humanity. Is this coronavirus any more lethal?
Such is the state of our Faith in crisis.
The Solution Lies in Reinvigorating Faith
Some might object that taking a non-secular attitude toward the virus requires a leap of faith. However, we must ask which is the greater leap of faith—to confide in Holy Mother Church or the cold hands of a State that had already shown itself incapable of solving society’s problems?
We have every reason to confide in God. The problem is that we allow officials to treat the Church as if She knows nothing about healing bodies and souls. They have conveniently forgotten that the Church is a mother. She established the world’s first hospitals during the Middle Ages. The foundations of modern medicine are rooted in Her solicitude for the sick. She handled each patient as if Christ Himself. Thus, the Church sent orders of priests, monks and nuns to provide free health care for the poor and sick all over the world. Down through the ages, amid plague and pestilence, we find the Church in their midst, ministering to the infected despite great dangers.
Above all, the Church cared for the souls of the suffering sick. She comforted, consoled and anointed the afflicted. She maintained countless shrines, like Lourdes, where the pilgrims are rewarded for their faith with peace of mind, cures and miracles.
In times of plague, the prayers of whole communities might rise to ask God to come to the aid of a sinful society in need of His mercy. History gives testimony that these prayers were often heard.
When the Church acts as she should, she prevents crises like the coronavirus from becoming inhuman and overwhelming. Like a mother, she provides consolation and hope in moments of darkness. She reminds us that we are not alone and should always have recourse to God. It makes no sense to banish God from the fight against the coronavirus.
Turning to God
Indeed, the coronavirus crisis should be a call to reject our godless society.
This crisis threatens to go beyond the health crisis and bring down the American economy. We must, therefore, ask why God is replaced, ignored and banished. It is time to turn to God, who alone can save us from this disaster.
Turning to God does not mean offering up a symbolic prayer or holding a procession in the hopes of returning to lives of sin and intemperate pleasures. Instead, it must consist of sincere prayer, sacrifice and penance like that requested by Our Lady at Fatima in 1917.
Turning to God presupposes an amendment of life in the face of a world that hates God’s law and barrels toward its destruction. It means acting as the Church has always done, with commonsense, wisdom, charity, but, above all, faith and confidence. All of these Church remedies, full of comfort and healing, are within the grasp of the faithful.
Turning to God does not mean we deny the role of government in handling public health emergencies. However, Faith must be a major component of any solution. God is with us. We should confide in the Blessed Sacrament, the Real Presence of God in the world and the God Who created us. We should have recourse to the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick, and Mother of Mercy.
John Horvat II is a scholar, researcher, educator, international speaker, and author of the book Return to Order, as well as the author of hundreds of published articles. He lives in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Ban on aborting baby with heartbeat or brain waves passes Oklahoma Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY , March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Lawmakers in Oklahoma moved a step closer to banning the vast majority of abortions last week via legislation that would take effect as soon as the most basic signs of prenatal life can be measured .
The Oklahoma Senate voted 36-8 on Thursday in favor of a SB 1859 , which would ban abortion once either a fetal heartbeat or fetal brain waves can be detected , the Associated Press reported .
If put into effect , the measure would ban abortions starting around week six of pregnancy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape , incest , or a mother ’ s health .
“ A physician found to be in violation of this section shall be prohibited from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in this state , ” the bill declares .
“ The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision shall revoke the license of a medical doctor who is found to have violated the provision of this section.
” “ Doctors take an oath to protect life , so this will also hold them accountable for that oath by taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this law , '' declared Republican state Sen. Paul Scott .
Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes spokeswoman Tamya Cox-Toure blasted the bill for both its general purpose of banning abortion and for its lack of exceptions .
In fact , so-called “ health exceptions ” are a notorious loophole in light of Supreme Court precedent requiring they be interpreted to include “ emotional , psychological , ” and “ familial ” factors , and saving a mother ’ s life at the expense of a child ’ s would still be allowed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing a baby as an unintended side effect of medical treatment is widely recognized as different from abortion , which is the direct application of lethal force .
Many such heartbeat laws have been passed across the country over the past year .
They are generally not intended to immediately take effect , but instead to provoke a legal battle that would hopefully reach the Supreme Court and instigate a review of Roe v. Wade , thereby potentially overturning decades of pro-abortion legal precedent and freeing the states to set their own abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows the legislative failure of Senate Bill 13 , which would have added abortion to the state ’ s existing homicide statutes .
The heartbeat bill ’ s odds of enactment are strong , as Republicans overwhelmingly control the Oklahoma House and Republican Gov .
Kevin Stitt is pro-life .
It is almost certain to be enjoined by a lawsuit before taking effect , however .

Doctors could lose their medical license if found to have violated the law by performing an abortion starting at six weeks of pregnancy.
OKLAHOMA CITY, March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Lawmakers in Oklahoma moved a step closer to banning the vast majority of abortions last week via legislation that would take effect as soon as the most basic signs of prenatal life can be measured.
The Oklahoma Senate voted 36-8 on Thursday in favor of a SB 1859, which would ban abortion once either a fetal heartbeat or fetal brain waves can be detected, the Associated Press reported. If put into effect, the measure would ban abortions starting around week six of pregnancy. The bill does not contain exceptions for rape, incest, or a mother’s health.
“A physician found to be in violation of this section shall be prohibited from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in this state,” the bill declares. “The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision shall revoke the license of a medical doctor who is found to have violated the provision of this section.”
“Doctors take an oath to protect life, so this will also hold them accountable for that oath by taking away the licenses of any who violate this law,” declared Republican state Sen. Paul Scott.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes spokeswoman Tamya Cox-Toure blasted the bill for both its general purpose of banning abortion and for its lack of exceptions. In fact, so-called “health exceptions” are a notorious loophole in light of Supreme Court precedent requiring they be interpreted to include “emotional, psychological,” and “familial” factors, and saving a mother’s life at the expense of a child’s would still be allowed under even the most stringent abortion bans – losing a baby as an unintended side effect of medical treatment is widely recognized as different from abortion, which is the direct application of lethal force.
Many such heartbeat laws have been passed across the country over the past year. They are generally not intended to immediately take effect, but instead to provoke a legal battle that would hopefully reach the Supreme Court and instigate a review of Roe v. Wade, thereby potentially overturning decades of pro-abortion legal precedent and freeing the states to set their own abortion laws.
SB 1859’s passage follows the legislative failure of Senate Bill 13, which would have added abortion to the state’s existing homicide statutes.
The heartbeat bill’s odds of enactment are strong, as Republicans overwhelmingly control the Oklahoma House and Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt is pro-life. It is almost certain to be enjoined by a lawsuit before taking effect, however.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Why coronavirus will not take hold in America like it did in Italy and South Korea

March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – I have heard in the past couple of days a couple of alarming projections about how many Chinese coronavirus cases we have in the country , and also about the number of people who will supposedly die as a result .
But I have to tell you that the numbers given in these scary scenarios simply don ’ t add up .
We have , for example , the Republican governor of Ohio , Mike DeWine , going on national television and claiming that because of “ community spreading ” the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 100,000 in his state alone .
Although neither he nor his Director of Medical Services explained how they arrived at this astonishing number , it was probably the result of an exponential equation that assumed that every infected person spread the disease to 2.6 others within a few days after showing symptoms of the disease .
A Rate of Infection ( ROI ) of between 2 and 3 is what the CDC is currently using to track the spread of the Chinese coronavirus .
At an ROI of 2.6—which is an extraordinarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ transmissions ” from Patient Zero to reach 100,000 cases .
But exponents are tricky things .
What if the real ROI was actually closer to the 1.3 characteristic of the seasonal flu ?
In that case , every infected person would only spread the disease to 1.3 others .
And the resulting number of infections after the same dozen “ transmissions ” ?
Only Twenty-four ( 24 ) !
You see what I mean about exponents being tricky things .
Very small differences in the ROI can produce huge differences over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by changing their behavior .
This is what washing your hands , coughing into your elbow , and self-quarantine is all about .
But even common sense tells you that Ohio simply can not have 100,000 cases at the present moment .
Why ?
Because to date Ohio has only confirmed 37 actual cases of the Chinese coronavirus , and is testing 361 more .
Well , you say , this is only because the rollout of the test kits has been so slow .
But if that is the case , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not a single death ?
That ’ s zero fatalities as in zero , zip , nada .
That leaves only two possible explanations .
Either the estimate of 100,000 cases is a gross exaggeration or the Chinese coronavirus is much less dangerous than we have been told .
Or both .
To illustrate this , let ’ s do some even simpler math .
We are told by Dr. Fauci that the CDC estimates the mortality rate for the virus at around 1 % .
But if this were true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already , then we would have 1,000 deaths in Ohio alone by the time the disease had run its course in those currently infected .
Even assuming that , because these are early days in the “ community spreading ” that Governor DeWine has been told is going on , there would still be hundreds of deaths recorded to date .
Literally dozens of people would be dying every week .
The funeral homes would be filling up .
They ’ re not .
Even if we assume that the Chinese Coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a mortality rate of 0.1 % , the state would still be facing a hundred deaths .
But right now we don ’ t … have … a single … fatality .
In fact , as of Sunday , March 15th , we only had 62 deaths in the entire United States .
You see what I mean about the numbers not adding up ?
There are the even more ominous projections being bandied about .
A number of doctors have suggested that we are facing hundreds of thousands , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Nolte , summarizing these alarming prognostications for Breitbart , warns that the experts are suggesting that the U.S. may see up to 1.5 million deaths from the Chinese Coronavirus .
Such projections are based on an even simpler equation : Number of Chinese Coronavirus Cases times Death Rate ( Percent of Those Infected Who Die ) I don ’ t want to pick on Nolte , whose columns I read and enjoy .
He has been told that 150 million Americans may get Chinese Coronavirus and that 1 percent of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers into the above equation and was taken aback by the result .
Now it is a mathematical certainty that if 150 million Americans become infected and if one percent of those infected die , then we are looking at a staggering 1.5 million deaths .
But are we ?
Where do these assumptions about the rate of spread and lethality of the Chinese Coronavirus come from ?
Unlike the Chinese Coronavirus itself , they don ’ t come from China .
Or at least they shouldn ’ t .
No one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases spread and can be controlled—should take Beijing ’ s statistics on their viral epidemic seriously .
The reported numbers of dead , infected , and recovered are sheer fabrications intended , above all , to make the regime look good .
Many epidemiologists are , however , looking at South Korea or Italy ’ s epidemics as approximations of what we are facing in the U.S. in terms of the rapid spread and lethality of the disease .
South Korea , for example , is a developed country that has done fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers .
To date , 66 South Koreans have died , 7869 have been infected ( some of whom will still die ) and 333 have completely recovered .
That gives you a mortality rate of about .9 percent .
The numbers from Italy are in flux , but are at least as bad .
But I think that these two countries are both—for somewhat different reasons—very imperfect analogies to our situation here in the U.S .
Speaking as an anthropologist , a number of cultural factors come into play .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are much older , live in much more crowded conditions , and have much smaller “ personal bubbles ” than your average American .
At the same time , because of declining marriage and fertility rates , elderly Koreans and Italians are much more socially isolated than we are as well , which means that they are going to suffer more consequences from the coronavirus because of a lack of close relatives to help care for them should they fall ill .
These are all factors that increase the spread and deadliness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these factors several additional ones : First , if the Chinese Coronavirus behaves like previous viral epidemics , it will become less lethal as it spreads farther afield .
The virus reached South Korea and Italy before it reached our shores .
Second , in Italy , China and even to a certain extent in South Korea , the medical system simply broke down under the weight of a massive wave of severely ill patients arriving in these nations ’ ERs all at once .
In China , this resulted in people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on the streets .
In Italy , it has led to a triage system where the elderly may be admitted to the hospital but are given only minimal care .
Scarce ventilators , for example , are reserved for younger patients .
Obviously , survival rates for elderly Italian patients have dramatically declined .
Septuagenarians and up are basically being given only palliative care and left to recover on their own .
Many don ’ t .
Finally , I believe that Americans have modified their behavior in ways that reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of draconian quarantines that other countries have imposed .
This will in turn help to limit the rate at which the disease spreads .
After all , aside from spoiled snowflakes and aging socialists like Bernie Sanders , Americans have never been inclined to simply wait for the government to come and save us .
Be watchful , take precautions , and wait .
This too shall pass .
I will talk about the cultural , behavioral , and demographic factors that will help to mitigate the American epidemic in more detail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia : Why China ’ s Dream is the New Threat to World Order .

While the trajectory of the epidemic here is still unknown, the U.S. is not Italy, South Korea (or China)
March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – I have heard in the past couple of days a couple of alarming projections about how many Chinese coronavirus cases we have in the country, and also about the number of people who will supposedly die as a result. But I have to tell you that the numbers given in these scary scenarios simply don’t add up.
We have, for example, the Republican governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, going on national television and claiming that because of “community spreading” the number of coronavirus cases may be as many as 100,000 in his state alone. Although neither he nor his Director of Medical Services explained how they arrived at this astonishing number, it was probably the result of an exponential equation that assumed that every infected person spread the disease to 2.6 others within a few days after showing symptoms of the disease.
A Rate of Infection (ROI) of between 2 and 3 is what the CDC is currently using to track the spread of the Chinese coronavirus. At an ROI of 2.6—which is an extraordinarily high ROI—it would take only a dozen “transmissions” from Patient Zero to reach 100,000 cases.
But exponents are tricky things. What if the real ROI was actually closer to the 1.3 characteristic of the seasonal flu? In that case, every infected person would only spread the disease to 1.3 others. And the resulting number of infections after the same dozen “transmissions”? Only Twenty-four (24)!
You see what I mean about exponents being tricky things. Very small differences in the ROI can produce huge differences over time. And people can change the ROI by changing their behavior. This is what washing your hands, coughing into your elbow, and self-quarantine is all about.
But even common sense tells you that Ohio simply cannot have 100,000 cases at the present moment. Why? Because to date Ohio has only confirmed 37 actual cases of the Chinese coronavirus, and is testing 361 more. Well, you say, this is only because the rollout of the test kits has been so slow.
But if that is the case, then why have there only been 7 hospitalizations and not a single death? That’s zero fatalities as in zero, zip, nada.
That leaves only two possible explanations. Either the estimate of 100,000 cases is a gross exaggeration or the Chinese coronavirus is much less dangerous than we have been told. Or both.
To illustrate this, let’s do some even simpler math. We are told by Dr. Fauci that the CDC estimates the mortality rate for the virus at around 1%. But if this were true, and there are 100,000 cases in Ohio already, then we would have 1,000 deaths in Ohio alone by the time the disease had run its course in those currently infected. Even assuming that, because these are early days in the “community spreading” that Governor DeWine has been told is going on, there would still be hundreds of deaths recorded to date. Literally dozens of people would be dying every week. The funeral homes would be filling up. They’re not.
Even if we assume that the Chinese Coronavirus is no more lethal than the seasonal flu, with a mortality rate of 0.1%, the state would still be facing a hundred deaths. But right now we don’t … have … a single … fatality. In fact, as of Sunday, March 15th, we only had 62 deaths in the entire United States.
You see what I mean about the numbers not adding up?
There are the even more ominous projections being bandied about. A number of doctors have suggested that we are facing hundreds of thousands, or even millions of deaths from Chinese Coronavirus. John Nolte, summarizing these alarming prognostications for Breitbart, warns that the experts are suggesting that the U.S. may see up to 1.5 million deaths from the Chinese Coronavirus.
Such projections are based on an even simpler equation: Number of Chinese Coronavirus Cases times Death Rate (Percent of Those Infected Who Die)
I don’t want to pick on Nolte, whose columns I read and enjoy. He has been told that 150 million Americans may get Chinese Coronavirus and that 1 percent of these will die. He simply plugged these numbers into the above equation and was taken aback by the result.
Now it is a mathematical certainty that if 150 million Americans become infected and if one percent of those infected die, then we are looking at a staggering 1.5 million deaths. But are we?
Where do these assumptions about the rate of spread and lethality of the Chinese Coronavirus come from?
Unlike the Chinese Coronavirus itself, they don’t come from China. Or at least they shouldn’t. No one, least of all epidemiologists—those who study how diseases spread and can be controlled—should take Beijing’s statistics on their viral epidemic seriously. The reported numbers of dead, infected, and recovered are sheer fabrications intended, above all, to make the regime look good.
Many epidemiologists are, however, looking at South Korea or Italy’s epidemics as approximations of what we are facing in the U.S. in terms of the rapid spread and lethality of the disease.
South Korea, for example, is a developed country that has done fairly widespread testing, so we can trust the numbers. To date, 66 South Koreans have died, 7869 have been infected (some of whom will still die) and 333 have completely recovered. That gives you a mortality rate of about .9 percent.
The numbers from Italy are in flux, but are at least as bad.
But I think that these two countries are both—for somewhat different reasons—very imperfect analogies to our situation here in the U.S. Speaking as an anthropologist, a number of cultural factors come into play. Both South Korea and Italy have populations that are much older, live in much more crowded conditions, and have much smaller “personal bubbles” than your average American. At the same time, because of declining marriage and fertility rates, elderly Koreans and Italians are much more socially isolated than we are as well, which means that they are going to suffer more consequences from the coronavirus because of a lack of close relatives to help care for them should they fall ill. These are all factors that increase the spread and deadliness of the epidemics of these countries.
Add to these factors several additional ones:
First, if the Chinese Coronavirus behaves like previous viral epidemics, it will become less lethal as it spreads farther afield. The virus reached South Korea and Italy before it reached our shores.
Second, in Italy, China and even to a certain extent in South Korea, the medical system simply broke down under the weight of a massive wave of severely ill patients arriving in these nations’ ERs all at once. In China, this resulted in people being left to die in their homes and on the streets. In Italy, it has led to a triage system where the elderly may be admitted to the hospital but are given only minimal care. Scarce ventilators, for example, are reserved for younger patients. Obviously, survival rates for elderly Italian patients have dramatically declined. Septuagenarians and up are basically being given only palliative care and left to recover on their own. Many don’t.
Finally, I believe that Americans have modified their behavior in ways that reduce the spread of the infection without the kind of draconian quarantines that other countries have imposed. This will in turn help to limit the rate at which the disease spreads.
After all, aside from spoiled snowflakes and aging socialists like Bernie Sanders, Americans have never been inclined to simply wait for the government to come and save us. Be watchful, take precautions, and wait. This too shall pass.
I will talk about the cultural, behavioral, and demographic factors that will help to mitigate the American epidemic in more detail in Part II
Steven W. Mosher @StevenWMosher is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia: Why China’s Dream is the New Threat to World Order.
Follow Steven Steven Mosher is an internationally recognised authority on China and population issues as well as an acclaimed author and speaker and founder and head of the Population Research Institute. He was the first American social scientist to visit mainland China in 1979 where he witnessed women being forced to have abortion under the new “one-child-policy” which he then exposed to the world. Mr. Mosher was a pro-choice atheist at the time, but witnessing these traumatic abortions led him to reconsider his convictions and to eventually become a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. Mosher has appeared numerous times before the US Congress as an expert in world population, China and human Rights abuses. He has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, 20/20, FOX and CNN news, as well as being a regular guest on talk radio shows across the nation. He is the author of the best-selling A Mother’s Ordeal: One woman’s Fight Against China’s One-Child-Policy. His latest book is Bully of Asia, exposing the threat of China to the entire world at this time. Articles by Steve have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, The New Republic, The Washington Post, National Review, Reason, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Freedom Review, Linacre Quarterly, Catholic World Report, Human Life Review, First Things, and numerous other publications. Steven Mosher lives in Virginia with his wife, Vera, and their nine children.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Help tell the truth about the coronavirus

March 16,2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Hopefully you saw our article last week announcing the launch of our Spring fundraising campaign .
I must admit , in the midst of everything happening with the coronavirus , reaching our quarterly fundraising goal may seem insignificant .
But I would like to appeal to you today and stress how important it is that we earn your support , especially in these unsure times .
Already , pro-life and pro-family activists are being censored for speaking out about information they are receiving on the ground in communities that are being directly affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reporting on the censorship of Steven Mosher , biologist and China expert whose recent New York Post article arguing that the coronavirus may have leaked from a Chinese lab has been blocked by Facebook , with the social media giant stating that it was “ false information.
” LifeSite is keeping you informed about developments in Rome and abroad , particularly in Church communities , on a live feed on our homepage .
Keep in mind , the mainstream media will not be providing you the information we are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hearing how the coronavirus is affecting the pro-life movement and faith communities .
You will not hear the heroic stories of Christians standing up to the culture in these times and encouraging all to rely on God !
Instead , you will hear panic and a culture with all of its trust placed in the World Health Organization and other local health agencies .
Certainly , we need men and women of good will working towards an answer to this terrible situation – but most of all we need hope and prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remember that LifeSite is committed to bringing you stories that protect life , family , and faith – 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
Our free news service comes at a cost and many readers have stepped up to support our efforts in this battle .
Today we need 50 of our most committed supporters to give a gift of $ 50 to sustain our efforts to change the culture year-round – 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
If you are able to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure link : https : //give.lifesitenews.com/ Will you join them today and give a gift that will stop lies and preserve the traditional principles of our culture ?

Now more than ever it is imperative to share the truth.
March 16,2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Hopefully you saw our article last week announcing the launch of our Spring fundraising campaign. I must admit, in the midst of everything happening with the coronavirus, reaching our quarterly fundraising goal may seem insignificant.
But I would like to appeal to you today and stress how important it is that we earn your support, especially in these unsure times. Already, pro-life and pro-family activists are being censored for speaking out about information they are receiving on the ground in communities that are being directly affected by the virus.
For example, we have been reporting on the censorship of Steven Mosher, biologist and China expert whose recent New York Post article arguing that the coronavirus may have leaked from a Chinese lab has been blocked by Facebook, with the social media giant stating that it was “false information.”
LifeSite is keeping you informed about developments in Rome and abroad, particularly in Church communities, on a live feed on our homepage. Keep in mind, the mainstream media will not be providing you the information we are committed to providing our readers. You will not be hearing how the coronavirus is affecting the pro-life movement and faith communities. You will not hear the heroic stories of Christians standing up to the culture in these times and encouraging all to rely on God!
Instead, you will hear panic and a culture with all of its trust placed in the World Health Organization and other local health agencies. Certainly, we need men and women of good will working towards an answer to this terrible situation – but most of all we need hope and prayer!
With fear rampant everywhere right now, remember that LifeSite is committed to bringing you stories that protect life, family, and faith – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our free news service comes at a cost and many readers have stepped up to support our efforts in this battle.
Today we need 50 of our most committed supporters to give a gift of $50 to sustain our efforts to change the culture year-round – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you are able to give a gift today, please use this secure link: https://give.lifesitenews.com/
Will you join them today and give a gift that will stop lies and preserve the traditional principles of our culture?
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Chinese communist newspaper: If we ban drug exports, US falls into coronavirus ‘hell’

BEIJING , China , March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A communist-controlled Chinese newspaper threatened that if China banned drug and medicine exports to the United States , America would be helpless to combat an epidemic .
Stung by America closing its borders to travelers from the coronavirus-ravaged country , China ’ s state-controlled news service Xihua stated , “ If China retaliates against the United States at this time , in addition to announcing a travel ban on the United States , it will also announce strategic control over medical products and ban exports to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be caught in the ocean of new coronaviruses , ” it continued .
“ Also according to the US CDC officials , most of the drugs in the United States are imported…If China banned exports , the United States will fall into the hell of a new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic.
” Despite COVID-19 originating in China , Xinhua attempted to save face by telling its readers that the world ought to thank the country for its response to the Wuhan-based pandemic .
“ We should say righteously that the U.S. owes China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a thank you , '' the newspaper stated .
In addition , Xihua hinted that Americans themselves had brought the disease to Wuhan .
The possibility of China refusing to sell medicine and medical supplies to the USA had already occurred to Fox News host Tucker Carlson , who in February blasted members of the American elite for selling out their country to Chinese economic interests .
Fox News reported that Chinese pharmaceutical companies supply between 80 % and 90 % of the USA ’ s antibiotics , 70 % of acetaminophen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columnist Mark Steyn said today on the “ Rush Limbaugh Show ” that the Chinese communist party is in charge of America ’ s entire pharmaceutical chain .
Chinese Communists are taking aim at citizens who criticize the government for how it is handling the crisis .
A Chinese magnate who criticized dictator Xi Jinping has now disappeared .
Property developer and Communist Party member Ren Zhiquiang called the dictator “ a clown ” after a speech Xi made about China ’ s response .
Ren ’ s friends say that he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Reuters news agency , Wang Ying said that his friends were looking for Ren and were “ extremely anxious.
” “ Ren Zhiqiang is a public figure and his disappearance is widely known , ” she said .
“ The institutions responsible for this need to give a reasonable and legal explanation for this as soon as possible , ” she said .
Reuters attempted to contact Ren by phone but were unsuccessful .
“ These are still early days , but Ren ’ s disappearance is worrying , ” David Mulroney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told LifeSiteNews .
He said that this would not be the first time the executive had gotten into trouble , but this time , by insulting Xi , Ren has “ undercut the Party ’ s carefully contrived narrative.
” “ They had sought to portray Xi , and themselves , as heroes of a successful campaign against coronavirus , ” the former ambassador explained .
“ Ren ’ s caustic critique points to a far more uncomfortable and inconvenient reality .
Truth tellers in China have a habit of disappearing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told LifeSiteNews via email that Ren has probably been arrested .
“ Ren is a known critic of Xi 's who has in all likelihood been `` disappeared , '' Mosher said .
“ The playbook for such ‘ disappearances ’ is that the person arrested is subjected to severe psychological pressure until they ‘ confess ’ satisfactorily to their crime .
Then they are trotted out on national television , state-controlled , of course , to make that same confession in public.
” Mosher , who took aim at Xi Jinping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s Dream is a Threat to World Order , predicts that China will force the outspoken executive to recant .
“ Unless Ren is made of sterner stuff than others who have been subjected to this treatment , we will see a broken man emerge from whatever ‘ black jail ’ ― as China 's illegal detention centers are [ called ] ― he is being held in by the end of the year , ” the China expert said .
“ He will say that he was totally wrong to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jinping.
” Hong Kong-based author Ma Jian , 66 , a leading Chinese dissident , called Xi ’ s mishandling of the coronavirus among the Communist Party ’ s “ shameful list of crimes ” .
“ With serious outbreaks occurring in Japan , South Korea , Iran and Italy , it is clear that the virus of Xi ’ s totalitarian rule threatens the health and freedoms not only of the Chinese people , but of all of us everywhere , ” Ma stated in late February .
He alleged that Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a coronavirus epidemic in their country for almost a month .

'If China banned exports, the United States will fall into the hell of a new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic' the communist-controlled paper threatened.
BEIJING, China, March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A communist-controlled Chinese newspaper threatened that if China banned drug and medicine exports to the United States, America would be helpless to combat an epidemic.
Stung by America closing its borders to travelers from the coronavirus-ravaged country, China’s state-controlled news service Xihua stated, “If China retaliates against the United States at this time, in addition to announcing a travel ban on the United States, it will also announce strategic control over medical products and ban exports to the United States.”
“Then the United States will be caught in the ocean of new coronaviruses,” it continued.
“Also according to the US CDC officials, most of the drugs in the United States are imported…If China banned exports, the United States will fall into the hell of a new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic.”
Despite COVID-19 originating in China, Xinhua attempted to save face by telling its readers that the world ought to thank the country for its response to the Wuhan-based pandemic.
“We should say righteously that the U.S. owes China an apology; the world owes China a thank you,” the newspaper stated.
In addition, Xihua hinted that Americans themselves had brought the disease to Wuhan.
The possibility of China refusing to sell medicine and medical supplies to the USA had already occurred to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who in February blasted members of the American elite for selling out their country to Chinese economic interests. Fox News reported that Chinese pharmaceutical companies supply between 80% and 90% of the USA’s antibiotics, 70% of acetaminophen, and about 40% of heparin.
Columnist Mark Steyn said today on the “Rush Limbaugh Show” that the Chinese communist party is in charge of America’s entire pharmaceutical chain.
Chinese Communists are taking aim at citizens who criticize the government for how it is handling the crisis. A Chinese magnate who criticized dictator Xi Jinping has now disappeared.
Property developer and Communist Party member Ren Zhiquiang called the dictator “a clown” after a speech Xi made about China’s response. Ren’s friends say that he has gone missing. In a statement to the Reuters news agency, Wang Ying said that his friends were looking for Ren and were “extremely anxious.”
“Ren Zhiqiang is a public figure and his disappearance is widely known,” she said.
“The institutions responsible for this need to give a reasonable and legal explanation for this as soon as possible,” she said.
Reuters attempted to contact Ren by phone but were unsuccessful.
“These are still early days, but Ren’s disappearance is worrying,” David Mulroney, a former Canadian ambassador to China, told LifeSiteNews.
He said that this would not be the first time the executive had gotten into trouble, but this time, by insulting Xi, Ren has “undercut the Party’s carefully contrived narrative.”
“They had sought to portray Xi, and themselves, as heroes of a successful campaign against coronavirus,” the former ambassador explained.
“Ren’s caustic critique points to a far more uncomfortable and inconvenient reality. Truth tellers in China have a habit of disappearing.”
Steve Mosher of the Population Research Institute told LifeSiteNews via email that Ren has probably been arrested.
“Ren is a known critic of Xi's who has in all likelihood been “disappeared,” Mosher said.
“The playbook for such ‘disappearances’ is that the person arrested is subjected to severe psychological pressure until they ‘confess’ satisfactorily to their crime. Then they are trotted out on national television, state-controlled, of course, to make that same confession in public.”
Mosher, who took aim at Xi Jinping in his book Bully of Asia: Why China’s Dream is a Threat to World Order, predicts that China will force the outspoken executive to recant.
“Unless Ren is made of sterner stuff than others who have been subjected to this treatment, we will see a broken man emerge from whatever ‘black jail’ ― as China's illegal detention centers are [called] ― he is being held in by the end of the year,” the China expert said.
“He will say that he was totally wrong to criticize ‘People's Leader’ Xi Jinping.”
Hong Kong-based author Ma Jian, 66, a leading Chinese dissident, called Xi’s mishandling of the coronavirus among the Communist Party’s “shameful list of crimes”.
“With serious outbreaks occurring in Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy, it is clear that the virus of Xi’s totalitarian rule threatens the health and freedoms not only of the Chinese people, but of all of us everywhere,” Ma stated in late February.
He alleged that Xi refused to acknowledge to the Chinese that there was a coronavirus epidemic in their country for almost a month.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Beg your Shepherds to bring back the mass

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 .

Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 3.16.2020. Today, Mother calls on the faithful to petition their bishops to reopen masses.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Trudeau announces border closure due to coronavirus, tells Canadians to ‘stay home’

OTTAWA , March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians to “ stay home ” today while announcing that the country is closing its borders and will deny entry to travelers who are not Canadian citizens because of COVID-19 .
However , U.S. citizens so far are exempt from the border closing , due to “ the high level of integration and coordination ” between the two countries , Trudeau said .
• Canadian border guards will deny entry to people who are not Canadian citizens , or permanent residents .
Aircrews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , and U.S. citizens are exempt .
• Air operators are now mandated to ban people with symptoms from coming to Canada .
• Starting Wednesday , only four airports across the country will be accepting international flights : Toronto Pearson , Montreal Trudeau , Vancouver , and Calgary international airports .
However , domestic flights , flights from the U.S. , Mexico , the Caribbean , and St. Pierre and Miquelon are exempted .
These travel restrictions will not apply to commerce or trade so as to “ continue to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trudeau said .
“ Canadian travelers should return to Canada via commercial means while it is still possible to do so , ” he said .
“ If you ’ ve just arrived , you must self-isolate for 14 days.
” The Canadian government is not yet mandating self-isolation , he said .
“ And finally , all Canadians as much as possible , should stay home , ” Trudeau said .
“ We all have to do it.
” “ As the virus continues to spread , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep you and your family safe , ” Trudeau said .
The virus has reportedly spread to more than 140 countries , with Europe now being described as the “ epicenter ” of the declared pandemic .
“ I know these measures are far-reaching .
They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures , ” said Trudeau .
“ These measures will save lives.
” The prime minister said additional measures will be announced Tuesday , and that his government “ is not closing the doors at any measures.
” He also emphasized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 billion stimulus package to help the country and the provinces deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic .
Liberal Prime Minister Trudeau announced the measures from his home , where he has been self-isolating since Thursday after his wife Sophie was confirmed to have contracted the virus .
Over the weekend , the number of confirmed cases in Canada rose from 197 to 341 , according to Canadian Press .
Most of these cases stem from travel outside Canada , according to CTV .
Ontario reported 32 new coronavirus cases Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current active case total to 172 , “ a short decline in the increase in numbers from Sunday , ” Global News reported .
“ Of the total 177 cases , five have been resolved .
Health officials report 1537 cases are under investigation , 8464 have come back with a negative result , ” it reported .
There is one known death linked to the virus -- a man in his 80s who was living at a North Vancouver seniors ’ home , according to Grandin Media .
British Columbia and Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on those who have recovered — list a combined total of nine “ resolved ” cases , according to CBC .
A government of Canada website is providing updates on the virus .
The federal restrictions come as Quebec ’ s government declared a health emergency on Friday , and ordered the closure of bars , clubs , gyms , movie theatres , spas and saunas .
Restaurants are open , but must operate at half capacity , CBC reported .
Quebec also banned “ non-essential visits to hospitals , residential and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted family-type resources and private senior ’ s residence.
” Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Friday that cruise ships with more than 500 people will not be able to dock in Canada until July 1 , Associated Press reported .
On Monday , the Canada Border Services Agency ( CBSA ) announced on Twitter it is adding additional screening measures at all international airports , CBC reported .
CBSA said an employee at Toronto Pearson International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19 and that it is notifying all staff who may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is now in self-isolation .
Alberta announced on Sunday it will close schools for an extended period of time .
Schools and daycares have also been closed for an extended time in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island .
Ontario ’ s Superior Court of Justice announced it will suspend operations starting on Tuesday , postponing all but the most urgent trials .
Judges would decide Monday whether to proceed with jury trials .
Canada ’ s top public health official , Dr. Theresa Tam , said in a Sunday press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak ’ s most destructive effects .
“ Our window to flatten the curve of the epidemic is narrow , ” Tam said .
“ We all need to act now .
COVID-19 is a serious public health threat.
” Canada ’ s official opposition , the Conservative Party , issued a statement Monday calling on the Liberals to have a stronger response to COVID-19 .
Catholic dioceses in the country have had differing responses to the declared pandemic .
Latin-rite Cardinal Thomas Collins canceled Masses for the weekend of March 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not daily Mass , and Catholics are allowed to receive Holy Communion on the tongue if they wished .
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa also canceled weekend Masses for March 14 and 15 but not daily Mass .
Vancouver ’ s Archbishop Michale Miller did not cancel Masses this weekend but said in a statement attendance had to be limited to 250 people .
Edmonton ’ s Archbishop Richard Smith did not cancel Mass for the March 14-15 weekend .

'As the virus continues to spread, we’ve decided to take increasingly aggressive steps to keep you and your family safe,' Trudeau said.
OTTAWA, March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians to “stay home” today while announcing that the country is closing its borders and will deny entry to travelers who are not Canadian citizens because of COVID-19.
However, U.S. citizens so far are exempt from the border closing, due to “the high level of integration and coordination” between the two countries, Trudeau said.
The travel restrictions are threefold:
Canadian border guards will deny entry to people who are not Canadian citizens, or permanent residents. Aircrews, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, and U.S. citizens are exempt. Air operators are now mandated to ban people with symptoms from coming to Canada. Starting Wednesday, only four airports across the country will be accepting international flights: Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Vancouver, and Calgary international airports. However, domestic flights, flights from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and St. Pierre and Miquelon are exempted.
These travel restrictions will not apply to commerce or trade so as to “continue to ensure the supply of important goods to Canada,” Trudeau said.
“Canadian travelers should return to Canada via commercial means while it is still possible to do so,” he said. “If you’ve just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days.”
The Canadian government is not yet mandating self-isolation, he said.
“And finally, all Canadians as much as possible, should stay home,” Trudeau said. “We all have to do it.”
“As the virus continues to spread, we’ve decided to take increasingly aggressive steps to keep you and your family safe,” Trudeau said.
The virus has reportedly spread to more than 140 countries, with Europe now being described as the “epicenter” of the declared pandemic.
“I know these measures are far-reaching. They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures,” said Trudeau. “These measures will save lives.”
The prime minister said additional measures will be announced Tuesday, and that his government “is not closing the doors at any measures.”
He also emphasized that the Liberals have earmarked a $10 billion stimulus package to help the country and the provinces deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Liberal Prime Minister Trudeau announced the measures from his home, where he has been self-isolating since Thursday after his wife Sophie was confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Over the weekend, the number of confirmed cases in Canada rose from 197 to 341, according to Canadian Press. Most of these cases stem from travel outside Canada, according to CTV.
Ontario reported 32 new coronavirus cases Monday, which brought the province’s current active case total to 172, “a short decline in the increase in numbers from Sunday,” Global News reported.
“Of the total 177 cases, five have been resolved. Health officials report 1537 cases are under investigation, 8464 have come back with a negative result,” it reported.
There is one known death linked to the virus — a man in his 80s who was living at a North Vancouver seniors’ home, according to Grandin Media.
British Columbia and Ontario — the only two provinces now offering information on those who have recovered — list a combined total of nine “resolved” cases, according to CBC.
A government of Canada website is providing updates on the virus.
Monday’s announcement and press conference announcement followed a cabinet meeting Sunday afternoon.
Canada’s Parliament was suspended Friday, March 13, until April 20.
The federal restrictions come as Quebec’s government declared a health emergency on Friday, and ordered the closure of bars, clubs, gyms, movie theatres, spas and saunas. Restaurants are open, but must operate at half capacity, CBC reported.
Quebec also banned “non-essential visits to hospitals, residential and long-term care centers, intermediate resources, targeted family-type resources and private senior’s residence.”
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Friday that cruise ships with more than 500 people will not be able to dock in Canada until July 1, Associated Press reported.
On Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced on Twitter it is adding additional screening measures at all international airports, CBC reported.
CBSA said an employee at Toronto Pearson International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19 and that it is notifying all staff who may have come in contact with the person, who is now in self-isolation.
Alberta announced on Sunday it will close schools for an extended period of time. Schools and daycares have also been closed for an extended time in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice announced it will suspend operations starting on Tuesday, postponing all but the most urgent trials. Judges would decide Monday whether to proceed with jury trials.
Canada’s top public health official, Dr. Theresa Tam, said in a Sunday press conference that quick action was needed to prevent the outbreak’s most destructive effects.
“Our window to flatten the curve of the epidemic is narrow,” Tam said. “We all need to act now. COVID-19 is a serious public health threat.”
Canada’s official opposition, the Conservative Party, issued a statement Monday calling on the Liberals to have a stronger response to COVID-19.
Catholic dioceses in the country have had differing responses to the declared pandemic.
Latin-rite Cardinal Thomas Collins canceled Masses for the weekend of March 14 and 15 in the Toronto archdiocese, but not daily Mass, and Catholics are allowed to receive Holy Communion on the tongue if they wished.
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa also canceled weekend Masses for March 14 and 15 but not daily Mass.
Vancouver’s Archbishop Michale Miller did not cancel Masses this weekend but said in a statement attendance had to be limited to 250 people. Edmonton’s Archbishop Richard Smith did not cancel Mass for the March 14-15 weekend.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-16--Ohio law protecting babies with Down syndrome from abortion challenged in court

CINCINNATI , Ohio , March 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati , Ohio , heard arguments Wednesday over an Ohio law banning abortions on babies based on a Down syndrome diagnosis .
Abortion supporters brought the legal challenge soon after Governor John Kasich ( R ) signed it into law in 2017 .
Ben Flowers , arguing on behalf of the state of Ohio , said the law sends a message that these abortions “ are so heinous and so inhumane that doctors can go to jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
According to Courthouse News Service , “ The state ’ s attorney repeatedly told the judges his opponents failed to provide any evidence the law will place an undue burden on women seeking abortions , and said its practical effect is unknown because it has yet to be implemented.
” The Trump administration supported the state of Ohio in defending the law .
“ Nothing in Ohio ’ s law creates a substantial obstacle to women obtaining an abortion , ” the U.S. Department of Justice argued in a filing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court precedent requires States to authorize medical providers to participate in abortions the providers know are based on Down syndrome.
” An attorney arguing for the the abortion supporters called the law “ an absolute ban.
” Judge Raymond Kethledge later contradicted her .
“ It ’ s not a ban , ” he pointed out .
Kethledge “ joined several of his colleagues in voicing their opinion that the law regulates only doctors and not the women seeking abortions , ” Courthouse News Service reported .
Judge Jeffrey Sutton agreed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrible idea ” to pass legislation limiting a doctor ’ s ability to perform selective abortions .
“ While several members of the court seem poised to overturn the lower court ’ s injunction , the majority of the 14 judges remained silent throughout proceedings , ” Courthouse News Service wrote , adding there was no indication when they would issue a ruling .
Under the law there are no punishments for women who hire abortionists to kill their babies with Down syndrome .
Abortionists violating the ban may be subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of their medical license .
Meanwhile , the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Life Equality Act last week .
The bill , which will now be considered by the senate , prohibits abortion from being perfomed “ because of race , sex , or genetic abnormality except in a medical emergency.
” The Susan B. Anthony ( SBA ) List praised the bill ’ s passage .
Its State Policy Director , Sue Liebel , said that “ Mississippi is a strongly pro-life state , and we are encouraged to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect children from lethal discrimination abortion.
” “ Abortions carried out because of a baby ’ s sex , race , or potential disability , such as Down syndrome , is no less than modern-day eugenics , ” she emphasized .

CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, heard arguments Wednesday over an Ohio law banning abortions on babies based on a Down syndrome diagnosis.
Abortion supporters brought the legal challenge soon after Governor John Kasich (R) signed it into law in 2017.
Ben Flowers, arguing on behalf of the state of Ohio, said the law sends a message that these abortions “are so heinous and so inhumane that doctors can go to jail and lose their licenses” for committing them.
According to Courthouse News Service, “The state’s attorney repeatedly told the judges his opponents failed to provide any evidence the law will place an undue burden on women seeking abortions, and said its practical effect is unknown because it has yet to be implemented.”
The Trump administration supported the state of Ohio in defending the law.
“Nothing in Ohio’s law creates a substantial obstacle to women obtaining an abortion,” the U.S. Department of Justice argued in a filing, “and nothing in the Constitution or Supreme Court precedent requires States to authorize medical providers to participate in abortions the providers know are based on Down syndrome.”
An attorney arguing for the the abortion supporters called the law “an absolute ban.”
Judge Raymond Kethledge later contradicted her. “It’s not a ban,” he pointed out.
Kethledge “joined several of his colleagues in voicing their opinion that the law regulates only doctors and not the women seeking abortions,” Courthouse News Service reported.
Judge Jeffrey Sutton agreed with Kethledge, saying it is “not a terrible idea” to pass legislation limiting a doctor’s ability to perform selective abortions.
“While several members of the court seem poised to overturn the lower court’s injunction, the majority of the 14 judges remained silent throughout proceedings,” Courthouse News Service wrote, adding there was no indication when they would issue a ruling.
Under the law there are no punishments for women who hire abortionists to kill their babies with Down syndrome. Abortionists violating the ban may be subject to fines, jail time, or a loss of their medical license.
Meanwhile, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Life Equality Act last week. The bill, which will now be considered by the senate, prohibits abortion from being perfomed “because of race, sex, or genetic abnormality except in a medical emergency.”
The Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List praised the bill’s passage. Its State Policy Director, Sue Liebel, said that “Mississippi is a strongly pro-life state, and we are encouraged to see pro-life lawmakers put forth compassionate legislation to protect children from lethal discrimination abortion.”
“Abortions carried out because of a baby’s sex, race, or potential disability, such as Down syndrome, is no less than modern-day eugenics,” she emphasized.
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