thestream--2020-04-15--How to Seize This Once-in-a-Generation Moment

The sons of Issachar “ understood the times , with knowledge of what Israel should do ” ( I Chronicles 12:32 ) .
Assuming we want to aspire to this level of prowess , how then are we to understand the Corona-moment we are in the midst of ?
What ought we to do ?
Instead of a simple impulse response to the immediate situation , let ’ s back up and examine the larger implication of this outbreak .
What can we glean that could help with strategic imperatives for the future ?
The level of global fear — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial impact of the economic shut-down — may be on the level of World War II .
The confidence in the economy , jobs , careers , and future has been obliterated .
“ All of creation will be shaken.
” ( Hebrews 12:27 ) While this may be very heart-wrenching to us personally , at least we still can put our trust in our Father .
Those without an authentic relationship with Christ are bankrupt of hope .
Especially those millennials and Gen Z-ers who have not really known any hardship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great Depression several generations removed .
Their confidence in living in a land of abundance has softened their grit and created large scale entitlement .
It is not unlike the Jewish nation when they experienced seasons of blessings and peace .
They quickly strayed from the Lord over and over .
Today ’ s entitlement culture has made it even more difficult to deeply impact the younger generations .
Hence a massive exodus from Church has ensued .
This ‘ shaking ’ is our moment to be fountains of hope to weary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their focus on existential happiness to the transcendent reality of connecting with Christ .
We can help them realize that all that brought them happiness can disappear in a moment .
Show them that just because practical desires are met , these do not fill the soul .
We were meant for more than simply food and drink .
“ People do not live by bread alone , but by every word that comes from the mouth of God ” ( Matthew 4:4 ) .
This kind of global “ aha ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often .
Now is our moment to rise and steward the openness that this shaking has introduced .
But , how ?
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
We can take a page out of the book of best practices that churches growing exponentially around the world are using right now .
I am not just referring to the newly discovered “ streaming-church ” forced upon many churches , or even those more innovative using Virtual Reality church .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as internet use will grow from 4 billion in 2020 to about 8 billion in 2025 .
However , the exponentially growing churches I examined in my recent doctoral studies have done this for quite a while .
And a whole lot more .
Some of their best-practices include : • The Senior Pastor owns the focus on getting the Gospel to the next-generation • They are intentional about reaching those most likely to come to Christ .
( Namely , those under 20 years old . )
• They have a sticky-growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and magnetic !
How churches implement these practices vary depending on their location in the world , but all are impacting profoundly the next generation .
Their practices embody the statement : When we focus on reaching and discipling those most likely to come to Christ , we will build an Exponential church that is deep , wide and multi-generational .
Since we are in a time of dramatic paradigm shift anyway , perhaps we can examine other paradigms that have inhibited our growth .
We can leverage this moment !
Let it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest impact for the Gospel in the history of the world .
That Church leaders rose up to reach and disciple those whose confidence in the world ’ s systems were shaken and found their confidence in Christ !
After speaking to 3 million youth in arenas and stadiums — and authoring 30 books for youth , parents and leaders — Ron Luce has just finished hosting JESUS GLOBAL YOUTH DAY with 50,000 attendees live and more than 10 Million youth in churches all over the world with the global broadcast .
Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new book titled , Faith at the Speed of Light , where he documents multiple exceptional churches from all over the world that are growing exponentially by reaching the next generation .
He is now taking these best-practices and his 30 years of experience and consulting churches to become effective powerhouses of life-changing ministry for the young generation !
His EXPONENTIAL PASTOR Facebook page helps leaders think and lead with a fresh paradigm and he can be reached at Ron @ jesusglobalyouthday.com

The sons of Issachar “understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:32). Assuming we want to aspire to this level of prowess, how then are we to understand the Corona-moment we are in the midst of? What ought we to do?
Instead of a simple impulse response to the immediate situation, let’s back up and examine the larger implication of this outbreak. What can we glean that could help with strategic imperatives for the future?
Those Bankrupt of Hope
The level of global fear — not just of the virus, but financial impact of the economic shut-down — may be on the level of World War II. The confidence in the economy, jobs, careers, and future has been obliterated. “All of creation will be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:27)
While this may be very heart-wrenching to us personally, at least we still can put our trust in our Father. Those without an authentic relationship with Christ are bankrupt of hope. Especially those millennials and Gen Z-ers who have not really known any hardship, and can barely imagine the days of the Great Depression several generations removed. Their confidence in living in a land of abundance has softened their grit and created large scale entitlement.
Now is our moment to rise and steward the openness that this shaking has introduced.
It is not unlike the Jewish nation when they experienced seasons of blessings and peace. They quickly strayed from the Lord over and over. Today’s entitlement culture has made it even more difficult to deeply impact the younger generations. Hence a massive exodus from Church has ensued.
The Shaking
This ‘shaking’ is our moment to be fountains of hope to weary souls. To compel them to escape from their focus on existential happiness to the transcendent reality of connecting with Christ. We can help them realize that all that brought them happiness can disappear in a moment. Show them that just because practical desires are met, these do not fill the soul. We were meant for more than simply food and drink. “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
This kind of global “aha” moment does not come a long very often. Now is our moment to rise and steward the openness that this shaking has introduced. But, how?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We can take a page out of the book of best practices that churches growing exponentially around the world are using right now. I am not just referring to the newly discovered “streaming-church” forced upon many churches, or even those more innovative using Virtual Reality church.
Of course, we should leverage technology, as internet use will grow from 4 billion in 2020 to about 8 billion in 2025. However, the exponentially growing churches I examined in my recent doctoral studies have done this for quite a while. And a whole lot more. Some of their best-practices include:
The Senior Pastor owns the focus on getting the Gospel to the next-generation
They are intentional about reaching those most likely to come to Christ. (Namely, those under 20 years old.)
They have a sticky-growth plan (discipleship) that is life-giving and magnetic!
Impacting the Next Generation
How churches implement these practices vary depending on their location in the world, but all are impacting profoundly the next generation. Their practices embody the statement:
When we focus on reaching and discipling those most likely to come to Christ, we will build an Exponential church that is deep, wide and multi-generational.
Since we are in a time of dramatic paradigm shift anyway, perhaps we can examine other paradigms that have inhibited our growth. We can leverage this moment! Let it be said the coronavirus ordeal ignited the largest impact for the Gospel in the history of the world. That Church leaders rose up to reach and disciple those whose confidence in the world’s systems were shaken and found their confidence in Christ!
After speaking to 3 million youth in arenas and stadiums — and authoring 30 books for youth, parents and leaders — Ron Luce has just finished hosting JESUS GLOBAL YOUTH DAY with 50,000 attendees live and more than 10 Million youth in churches all over the world with the global broadcast. Ron has just completed his doctoral project and new book titled, Faith at the Speed of Light, where he documents multiple exceptional churches from all over the world that are growing exponentially by reaching the next generation. He is now taking these best-practices and his 30 years of experience and consulting churches to become effective powerhouses of life-changing ministry for the young generation! His EXPONENTIAL PASTOR Facebook page helps leaders think and lead with a fresh paradigm and he can be reached at [email protected]
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-04-16--The Last Time I Slow-Danced with Death

The Last Time I Slow-Danced with Death

It seemed so Providential .
So heaven-sent .
So meant to be .
And perhaps it was .
Perhaps I will never really know for sure .
What I do know is , when I saw her email sitting in my inbox , my heart skipped a beat .
My article on ancient child sacrifice and the modern abortion epidemic , in which I ’ d quoted this woman — interviewed while seeking an abortion — had only been up for about three hours .
But she had obviously seen it — why else would she be emailing me ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Essay on Child Sacrifice I swallowed the lump in my throat and opened the message .
I fully expected to see a string of curses and epithets directed at me personally .
What I found , however , surprised me .
The message was respectfully written —complimentary , even ; and , although the author did take issue with some of what I ’ d written , she ’ d done so in a cool-headed and reasonable fashion .
This was clearly not your typical hysterical , off-the-rails , rabid pro-abort .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change her mind .
Since abortion was temporarily outlawed in her state due to the coronavirus pandemic , I figured I had a bit of time to work on her .
So I decided to take it slowly .
In that first reply to her , I focused on thanking her for her civility and trying to explain the writing choices with which she had taken issue .
I also expressed my compassion for her situation by explaining that I myself was post-abortive .
Could Her Baby Be Saved ?
Late that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heartfelt reply .
She included grisly details of her medical condition , which was severe .
She also described her dire financial situation .
She ’ d been living paycheck-to-paycheck as a single mom , without any familial support , until she lost her job entirely as a result of the pandemic .
She even included a photo of her two adorable sons .
All of this made me feel incredibly close to her in spite of the hundreds of miles between us .
She ended by expressing her belief that pro-lifers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others and disregard women ’ s rights .
Well , I had to respond , not only because of her misconceptions , but because of the bond with her I now felt .
However , I didn ’ t want to respond with words alone .
I wanted to respond with concrete resources and solutions to help her choose life , because the obstacles she ’ d presented were both real and daunting .
This is where social media proved its merits .
I posted that I was seeking support services in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names and addresses of crisis pregnancy centers , phone numbers for pro-life counseling hotlines , and a dozen other life-affirming resources , all in her general vicinity .
We Can Help With my all ducks in a row , I sat down to write my reply .
I thanked her for sharing so much with me and told her how privileged I felt that she had given me such an intimate glimpse into her world .
Then I answered her complaints about pro-life “ zealots ” : I then listed all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said : Lastly , I told her a bit of my story .
I told her about the two abortions I ’ d had —how they ’ d damaged my mind , body , and soul in ways that I will regret for the rest of my life .
And I told her I wouldn ’ t wish what I ’ d been through on anyone , and particularly not on her .
I pleaded with her to at least consult the resources I ’ d listed and explore all of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change her life forever .
Within minutes , she replied .
She said she hadn ’ t read my entire email , but promised to do so later .
“ However , ” she continued : My heart sank , but I made a conscious decision not to abandon hope .
After all , she only said she ’ d “ obtained access , ” not that she ’ d gone through with it .
I made an urgent plea for prayers via my social network .
At this point , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying all of the mom ’ s expenses over and above what the pregnancy centers could cover — including her rent , utilities , and medical expenses .
“ I am not limited in what I can give , ” this saintly woman said in a very emotional telephone conversation .
“ Please give her my number and ask her to call me.
” So I made a last-ditch effort and sent another message .
I notified the mother of this new offer and gave her the benefactor ’ s name and phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” I concluded , “ I will still be here , no matter what you decide .
If you ever need to talk , you know how to reach me.
” After that , I played the waiting game .
I tried to distract myself with a sewing project , but still found myself jumping every time I heard the new email notification on my phone .
Finally , her reply came : “ I am no longer pregnant.
” The words were a kick in the gut .
I felt dizzy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her closing words of thanks for my concern , time , and empathy as the tears began to flow .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
I was beside myself .
A child had been murdered .
And a woman — a woman to whom I had come to feel deeply connected — was now broken in a way that could never be fixed this side of eternity .
I didn ’ t know what to do .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
I got in my car and started to drive .
As I got on the freeway , I finally felt sufficiently alone to unleash the scream I ’ d been restraining deep within .
“ Why , God ?
Why , why , why … ?
” I couldn ’ t stop wailing .
I still haven ’ t figured out the answer .
I ’ m trying to console myself with the knowledge that I proved pro-lifers to be deeply caring people to someone who had thought of us as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all evil into good .
And with the hope that I planted a seed that may someday blossom into a conversion .
Yet a baby is still dead .
A woman is still irreparably wounded .
And my heart is still shattered .
But was it worth the fight ?
Absolutely .
Will I do it again ?
You ’ d better believe it .
And I will inevitably suffer additional heartbreaks that ’ ll hurt just as much as this one .
But here ’ s the crux : I know I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it honors the Author of Life .
And nothing else matters .
Bettina di Fiore is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer , teacher , and liturgical seamstress .
Her blog can be found at www.watchingthewhirlwind.net .

It seemed so Providential. So heaven-sent. So meant to be. And perhaps it was. Perhaps I will never really know for sure.
What I do know is, when I saw her email sitting in my inbox, my heart skipped a beat. My article on ancient child sacrifice and the modern abortion epidemic, in which I’d quoted this woman — interviewed while seeking an abortion — had only been up for about three hours. But she had obviously seen it — why else would she be emailing me?
I’d Quoted Her in an Essay on Child Sacrifice
I swallowed the lump in my throat and opened the message. I fully expected to see a string of curses and epithets directed at me personally. What I found, however, surprised me. The message was respectfully written —complimentary, even; and, although the author did take issue with some of what I’d written, she’d done so in a cool-headed and reasonable fashion.
This was clearly not your typical hysterical, off-the-rails, rabid pro-abort. I decided right then and there to try to change her mind.
Since abortion was temporarily outlawed in her state due to the coronavirus pandemic, I figured I had a bit of time to work on her. So I decided to take it slowly. In that first reply to her, I focused on thanking her for her civility and trying to explain the writing choices with which she had taken issue. I also expressed my compassion for her situation by explaining that I myself was post-abortive.
Could Her Baby Be Saved?
Late that night, she wrote me a beautiful, heartfelt reply. She included grisly details of her medical condition, which was severe. She also described her dire financial situation. She’d been living paycheck-to-paycheck as a single mom, without any familial support, until she lost her job entirely as a result of the pandemic. She even included a photo of her two adorable sons. All of this made me feel incredibly close to her in spite of the hundreds of miles between us. She ended by expressing her belief that pro-lifers are zealots who force their beliefs onto others and disregard women’s rights.
Her medical condition was severe, her financial situation dire. She’d been living paycheck-to-paycheck as a single mom, without any familial support, until she lost her job entirely as a result of the pandemic.
Well, I had to respond, not only because of her misconceptions, but because of the bond with her I now felt. However, I didn’t want to respond with words alone. I wanted to respond with concrete resources and solutions to help her choose life, because the obstacles she’d presented were both real and daunting.
This is where social media proved its merits. I posted that I was seeking support services in her area. Within minutes I had the names and addresses of crisis pregnancy centers, phone numbers for pro-life counseling hotlines, and a dozen other life-affirming resources, all in her general vicinity.
We Can Help
With all my ducks in a row, I sat down to write my reply. I thanked her for sharing so much with me and told her how privileged I felt that she had given me such an intimate glimpse into her world. Then I answered her complaints about pro-life “zealots”:
I wish you could be a fly on the wall in my apartment — better yet, in my mind and my heart. … After I read your heart-rending message, I spent the entirety of my morning and early afternoon combing through my contacts, making phone calls, sending emails— hunting down people in your area who are prepared to help you in a tangible and substantial way.
I then listed all of the resources I had gathered for her, and said:
If you knew how many people were involved in obtaining this information — people who have all been touched by your story … your perception of “people like me” might soften.
Lastly, I told her a bit of my story. I told her about the two abortions I’d had —how they’d damaged my mind, body, and soul in ways that I will regret for the rest of my life. And I told her I wouldn’t wish what I’d been through on anyone, and particularly not on her. I pleaded with her to at least consult the resources I’d listed and explore all of her options before making a decision that would change her life forever.
Was I Too Late?
Within minutes, she replied. She said she hadn’t read my entire email, but promised to do so later. “However,” she continued:
I want you to know I’ve already obtained access to an abortion, with much difficulty, so I didn’t want you to continue using your time to seek resources for me. I do appreciate your empathy.
My heart sank, but I made a conscious decision not to abandon hope. After all, she only said she’d “obtained access,” not that she’d gone through with it. I made an urgent plea for prayers via my social network.
At this point, I was connected to someone who personally committed to paying all of the mom’s expenses over and above what the pregnancy centers could cover — including her rent, utilities, and medical expenses. “I am not limited in what I can give,” this saintly woman said in a very emotional telephone conversation. “Please give her my number and ask her to call me.”
So I made a last-ditch effort and sent another message. I notified the mother of this new offer and gave her the benefactor’s name and phone number. “As for me,” I concluded, “I will still be here, no matter what you decide. If you ever need to talk, you know how to reach me.”
I Am No Longer Pregnant
After that, I played the waiting game. I tried to distract myself with a sewing project, but still found myself jumping every time I heard the new email notification on my phone.
Finally, her reply came: “I am no longer pregnant.” The words were a kick in the gut. I felt dizzy. So I almost couldn’t read her closing words of thanks for my concern, time, and empathy as the tears began to flow.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I was beside myself. A child had been murdered. And a woman — a woman to whom I had come to feel deeply connected — was now broken in a way that could never be fixed this side of eternity. I didn’t know what to do. In fact, I wanted to tear my hair out.
Why, God? Why?
I got in my car and started to drive. As I got on the freeway, I finally felt sufficiently alone to unleash the scream I’d been restraining deep within. “Why, God? Why, why, why …? ” I couldn’t stop wailing.
I still haven’t figured out the answer.
I’m trying to console myself with the knowledge that I proved pro-lifers to be deeply caring people to someone who had thought of us as cruel would-be dictators. That God transforms all evil into good. And with the hope that I planted a seed that may someday blossom into a conversion.
Yet a baby is still dead. A woman is still irreparably wounded. And my heart is still shattered.
But was it worth the fight? Absolutely.
Will I do it again? You’d better believe it.
Will I lose more battles? Indubitably.
And I will inevitably suffer additional heartbreaks that’ll hurt just as much as this one.
But here’s the crux: I know I am doing the right thing, because it honors the Author of Life.
And nothing else matters.
Bettina di Fiore is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer, teacher, and liturgical seamstress. Her blog can be found at www.watchingthewhirlwind.net.


thestream--2020-04-16--Military Photo of the Day: Checking for Signs of the Virus

A U.S. Army soldier interviews personnel coming through the Adams Gate at U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys in South Korea for any @ @ @ @ @ April 7 , 2020 .
Thank you to this brave soldier for serving our country @ @ @ @ @ Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
@ @ @ @

A U.S. Army soldier interviews personnel coming through the Adams Gate at U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys in South Korea for any indicators of the coronavirus on April 7, 2020.
Thank you to this brave soldier for serving our country overseas. Stay safe!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-04-16--Fact-Checking the WaPo ‘Fact-Checkers’

Fact-Checking the WaPo ‘Fact-Checkers’

A Washington Post “ Fact-Checker ” column ( quotation marks deliberate ) by Elyse Samuels and Meg Kelly gives “ Four Pinocchios , ” the worst rating for lying , to President Trump for allegedly promoting hydroxychloroquine as a “ cure ” for the COVID-19 ( Chinese — that ’ s a fact ) coronavirus .
Where to begin ?
Aside from the headline , which makes sure to include the words “ false hope ” ( they don ’ t know that ) , I suppose we could start right up front , with the quotes in which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a cure .
Huge whoppers such as , “ I don ’ t know , it ’ s looking like it ’ s having some good results .
That would be a phenomenal thing.
” And “ It ’ s this powerful drug on malaria .
And there are signs that it works on this .
Some very strong signs.
” And of course , “ What do you have to lose ?
” Well , there ’ s a hardcore sales pitch !
Likewise , the writers ’ case for dismissing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination with other drugs , not alone ) is that there aren ’ t yet any clinical trials proving efficacy .
But here ’ s a fact : those take time .
And people who might die in the next 24 hours don ’ t want to wait for results to come in months from now , especially with the many “ anecdotal ” accounts of the drug ’ s success .
That ’ s why Trump said , “ What do you have to lose ?
” There have been some small-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by French doctor Didier Raoult .
But the authors wave his work off as “ discredited.
” But how ?
I followed the link in the story to the journal that allegedly “ discredited ” the study .
Here is the entirety of what it said on that subject : “ The ISAC ( International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy ) Board believes the article does not meet the Society ’ s expected standard , especially relating to the lack of better explanations of the inclusion criteria and the triage of patients to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug wasn ’ t shown to be effective ?
The WaPo writers certainly imply as much .
We ’ ve talked about this very small study here , right after the news broke that a hydroxychloroquine “ cocktail ” of drugs had helped some patients in France .
The news was encouraging , but very preliminary ; I said at the time that it appeared to have been rushed out and that the French-to-English could have been smoother .
My staff and I were as skeptical as anyone should be of the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after that , there was another , larger study that supported the first .
French President Macron went to the institute where it had been conducted and reportedly received a three-hour presentation on the promising results .
In light of this , it is not overselling the treatment for Trump to say there are “ some very strong signs ” that it works .
And there are other studies currently underway , including in South Dakota , the first state to launch one .
None of this would be happening without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence .
The writers reference these studies and quote spokespeople as saying that ’ s it ’ s too early to know for sure .
What About the Anecdotes ?
But what about that growing mountain of “ anecdotes ” from the many people who report they believed they were about to die but quickly began recovering after receiving this treatment ?
One was the 96-year-old ( ! )
father of Dr. Marc Siegel .
He was quite ill before receiving the treatment but recovered in just a few days .
Even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicizing of the drug with saving her life .
Well , ignore them all .
The WaPo writers say that to a layperson , anecdotal evidence “ may not sound bad , but it ’ s actually an insult in the scientific community , ” akin to “ a Yelp review.
” That assertion , in itself , is a distortion of fact .
If someone cited only anecdotal evidence as “ proof ” of a “ cure , ” then , yes , that would be pseudoscience .
But President Trump hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if my life were in the balance , there were no proven cure , and a few thousand Yelp reviews said “ this medicine saved my life , ” I would at least give it a try .
And you know what ?
I ’ ll bet the authors of this hit piece masquerading as a “ fact-check ” would , too .
In fact , according to a new survey by the healthcare staffing firm Jackson & Coker , 65 percent of physicians would prescribe the drug to a family member with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it themselves .
Only 11 percent said they would not use it .
In other words , a vast majority of doctors are encouraged — not insulted — by the anecdotal evidence .
Concerns That Aren ’ t Really Too Concerning Another point they use to discredit the drug is that there can be serious side effects if not used under a doctor ’ s supervision .
Isn ’ t that true of virtually all prescription drugs , which is why you need a prescription ?
Numerous doctors , even some cardiac specialists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safest drugs on the market .
( Read the list of possible side effects in the paperwork that comes with most prescriptions , and you ’ ll think twice before taking ANY drug . )
This article even cites the very suspicious story about the man dying after deliberately swallowing fish tank cleaner containing a very different ingredient with a similar name .
( Talk about relying on “ anecdotal evidence ” to prove your case ! )
Sorry , but I can ’ t find any example of Trump telling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor , or to ingest fish tank cleaner .
They also bring up the concern about lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients facing shortages of this drug because of the demand .
I would say that if there is a demand , it ’ s because a lot of doctors — repeat , doctors — see the value in prescribing it for their COVID-19 patients .
( See survey , above . )
Ironically , the problem of supply vs. demand might actually be exacerbated by the tendency of politicians to “ play doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the drug .
A solution might be to go the opposite way : green-light mass production and distribution .
A supply should , of course , be reserved for those patients already depending on it for maintaining their health .
The article also warns that a focus on this drug might cause researchers to “ put all their eggs in one basket ” and miss finding more promising treatments .
On the contrary , those studies are going on as well .
He Never Called It a “ Cure ” Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fact-check ” business who have trouble recognizing one .
Trump has never called this a “ cure.
” He ’ s said he ’ s heard good things .
So have I , so I know that ’ s true .
He ’ s said what have you got to lose ( if there is no other treatment , and the alternative is dying on a ventilator , that sounds pretty accurate as well . )
It ’ s impossible to have perfect , long-term clinical trials at this stage ; this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s only recently been tried .
Many doctors , when faced with no alternative for a possibly terminal patient and no available clinical trials , make recommendations based on anecdotal evidence , particularly when there is a vast and growing library of it .
The authors surely know that slapping a “ Four-Pinocchio ” rating on Trump ’ s comments implies to the public that they ’ ve made an ironclad case for deliberate , malicious lying .
Yet the last paragraph in particular reads more like an overly dramatic editorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it is inaccurate ( a lie !
! )
for them to say that politicians and the media have turned this “ unknown drug ” into a “ 100 percent coronavirus cure.
” After reading through this article , I have to award Samuels and Kelly Four Pinocchios for their claim to be objective “ fact-checkers.
” Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on @ @

A Washington Post “Fact-Checker” column (quotation marks deliberate) by Elyse Samuels and Meg Kelly gives “Four Pinocchios,” the worst rating for lying, to President Trump for allegedly promoting hydroxychloroquine as a “cure” for the COVID-19 (Chinese — that’s a fact) coronavirus.
Where to begin? Aside from the headline, which makes sure to include the words “false hope” (they don’t know that), I suppose we could start right up front, with the quotes in which Trump allegedly tells his overwhelming lies about it being a cure. Huge whoppers such as, “I don’t know, it’s looking like it’s having some good results. That would be a phenomenal thing.” And “It’s this powerful drug on malaria. And there are signs that it works on this. Some very strong signs.” And of course, “What do you have to lose?” Well, there’s a hardcore sales pitch!
Dismissing a Drug That’s Showing Promise
Likewise, the writers’ case for dismissing hydroxychloroquine (which is being used in combination with other drugs, not alone) is that there aren’t yet any clinical trials proving efficacy. But here’s a fact: those take time. And people who might die in the next 24 hours don’t want to wait for results to come in months from now, especially with the many “anecdotal” accounts of the drug’s success. That’s why Trump said, “What do you have to lose?”
There have been some small-scale trials showing promise, such as those by French doctor Didier Raoult. But the authors wave his work off as “discredited.” But how? I followed the link in the story to the journal that allegedly “discredited” the study. Here is the entirety of what it said on that subject:
“The ISAC (International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy) Board believes the article does not meet the Society’s expected standard, especially relating to the lack of better explanations of the inclusion criteria and the triage of patients to ensure patient safety.”
Does that mean the drug wasn’t shown to be effective? The WaPo writers certainly imply as much. We’ve talked about this very small study here, right after the news broke that a hydroxychloroquine “cocktail” of drugs had helped some patients in France. The news was encouraging, but very preliminary; I said at the time that it appeared to have been rushed out and that the French-to-English could have been smoother.
My staff and I were as skeptical as anyone should be of the results of a preliminary study announced on Skype. But after that, there was another, larger study that supported the first. French President Macron went to the institute where it had been conducted and reportedly received a three-hour presentation on the promising results. In light of this, it is not overselling the treatment for Trump to say there are “some very strong signs” that it works.
And there are other studies currently underway, including in South Dakota, the first state to launch one. None of this would be happening without a lot of encouraging “anecdotal” evidence.
The writers reference these studies and quote spokespeople as saying that’s it’s too early to know for sure.
What About the Anecdotes?
But what about that growing mountain of “anecdotes” from the many people who report they believed they were about to die but quickly began recovering after receiving this treatment? One was the 96-year-old (!) father of Dr. Marc Siegel. He was quite ill before receiving the treatment but recovered in just a few days. Even a Democrat politician has credited Trump’s publicizing of the drug with saving her life. Well, ignore them all. The WaPo writers say that to a layperson, anecdotal evidence “may not sound bad, but it’s actually an insult in the scientific community,” akin to “a Yelp review.”
65 percent of physicians would prescribe the drug to a family member with COVID-19, and 67 percent would take it themselves. Only 11 percent said they would not use it. In other words, a vast majority of doctors are encouraged — not insulted — by the anecdotal evidence.
That assertion, in itself, is a distortion of fact. If someone cited only anecdotal evidence as “proof” of a “cure,” then, yes, that would be pseudoscience. But President Trump hasn’t claimed this. Personally, if my life were in the balance, there were no proven cure, and a few thousand Yelp reviews said “this medicine saved my life,” I would at least give it a try. And you know what? I’ll bet the authors of this hit piece masquerading as a “fact-check” would, too.
In fact, according to a new survey by the healthcare staffing firm Jackson & Coker, 65 percent of physicians would prescribe the drug to a family member with COVID-19, and 67 percent would take it themselves. Only 11 percent said they would not use it. In other words, a vast majority of doctors are encouraged — not insulted — by the anecdotal evidence.
Concerns That Aren’t Really Too Concerning
Another point they use to discredit the drug is that there can be serious side effects if not used under a doctor’s supervision. Isn’t that true of virtually all prescription drugs, which is why you need a prescription? Numerous doctors, even some cardiac specialists, have said this is one of the safest drugs on the market. (Read the list of possible side effects in the paperwork that comes with most prescriptions, and you’ll think twice before taking ANY drug.)
This article even cites the very suspicious story about the man dying after deliberately swallowing fish tank cleaner containing a very different ingredient with a similar name. (Talk about relying on “anecdotal evidence” to prove your case!) Sorry, but I can’t find any example of Trump telling people to take this drug without seeing a doctor, or to ingest fish tank cleaner.
They also bring up the concern about lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients facing shortages of this drug because of the demand. I would say that if there is a demand, it’s because a lot of doctors — repeat, doctors — see the value in prescribing it for their COVID-19 patients. (See survey, above.)
Ironically, the problem of supply vs. demand might actually be exacerbated by the tendency of politicians to “play doctor” and try to limit the use of the drug. A solution might be to go the opposite way: green-light mass production and distribution. A supply should, of course, be reserved for those patients already depending on it for maintaining their health.
The article also warns that a focus on this drug might cause researchers to “put all their eggs in one basket” and miss finding more promising treatments. On the contrary, those studies are going on as well.
He Never Called It a “Cure”
Here are a few facts for those in the “fact-check” business who have trouble recognizing one. Trump has never called this a “cure.” He’s said he’s heard good things. So have I, so I know that’s true. He’s said what have you got to lose (if there is no other treatment, and the alternative is dying on a ventilator, that sounds pretty accurate as well.) It’s impossible to have perfect, long-term clinical trials at this stage; this is a never-before-seen virus and a treatment that’s only recently been tried. Many doctors, when faced with no alternative for a possibly terminal patient and no available clinical trials, make recommendations based on anecdotal evidence, particularly when there is a vast and growing library of it.
The authors surely know that slapping a “Four-Pinocchio” rating on Trump’s comments implies to the public that they’ve made an ironclad case for deliberate, malicious lying. Yet the last paragraph in particular reads more like an overly dramatic editorial than a dispassionate assessment of facts. And it is inaccurate (a lie!!) for them to say that politicians and the media have turned this “unknown drug” into a “100 percent coronavirus cure.”
After reading through this article, I have to award Samuels and Kelly Four Pinocchios for their claim to be objective “fact-checkers.”
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-04-16--The Burning Cathedral and the Isolating Virus, and Why We Need Homes

Lots of people say this , now that most of us can ’ t go to church : The Church is people .
It ’ s not buildings .
We can lose everything and still have each other .
Jesus makes us brothers and sisters whether or not we have a place to meet .
We say it because not going to church hurts .
Not being together , in person — that hurts .
The Church is people , true .
But the Church requires churches .
The church of Notre Dame of Paris almost burned down a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Christianity ’ s greatest buildings reminds us that our places matter .
Not a little bit .
A lot .
The virus has made many of us feel this as we never have before .
Why churches ?
Because people who agree deeply and love each other build things .
Yes , where two or three gather in Jesus ’ s name , He ’ s with them .
But when two or three gather in Jesus ’ s name for long , they build a church .
Being the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man and woman who commit themselves to each other in marriage soon want a home .
Few want to bounce from hotel to hotel , even if they have the money for very nice hotels .
They want to create a space that is theirs .
They want to decorate it to tell the stories they want to tell , and celebrate the people they want to celebrate .
The new couple wants a place to gather their family and friends .
That ’ s the reason Christians build churches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ life with each other and we want to give that life a home .
A place with an address .
A place that ’ s ours .
Where we can meet , talk , argue and encourage , help each other , console and confront , plan , serve .
Most of all worship together .
A place from which we can go out to share Jesus .
The Church needs churches .
Most of us feel this now , because we don ’ t have them .
We want to see our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve always seen them .
In our churches .
Does the Church need great churches ?
Like Notre Dame ?
Not all my friends think it does .
But I do .
My friend Timothy Jones wrote last year of his joy at hearing that all of Notre Dame ’ s rose windows had survived the fire .
He ’ s a painter , and sensitive to these things .
He responded to people who said the cathedral was just a building .
A big , pretty , famous one , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big loss .
“ Don ’ t be too quick to let dry utilitarianism take hold , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s not just a building .
Is a wedding dress just some fabric ?
Is the picture your child made for you just some paper and paint ?
” Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
The great churches say something .
They ’ re not just arrangements of stone , wood , iron , and glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West could have been built only by men of great faith and great humility who were profoundly happy to know that they were sons of God , ” Cardinal Robert Sarah said after the fire .
“ They are like a song of joy , a hymn to God ’ s glory sculpted in stone and painted in glass .
They are the work of sons who love and adore their heavenly Father.
” Churches like Notre Dame were created to speak of God ’ s beauty and truth , by Christians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand and beautiful as possible .
In different ways , depending on the style and time , they point to the Lord Who loves us .
In ways no other buildings on earth do .
We ’ re lucky to have them , though most of us will never get to see them .
The world sees this .
When Notre Dame seemed about to collapse , even secular people felt the loss .
Some seem to have known that it is more than an old , beautiful , historic building .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to Someone .
Seeing this , the pastor of a nearby church saw the fire as a call to evangelize .
We can build on that sense that Notre Dame means something unusual and important .
“ Charred today , those stones call us to a profound conversion , because we now know how deeply our contemporaries are attached to them , ” said Eric Iborra a few days after the fire .
“ It is up to us to reveal their meaning , to invite those people to enter our churches.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , even if we gather at the ugliest church in town .
( Which , if you ’ re Catholic , might well be the case . )
This is the lesson of the burning cathedral and the isolating virus .
We need each other .
We need to be with each other in the home we share .
And bring others into the family so they ’ ll call our churches their home , because for their own happiness , they need to come home .
David Mills is a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “ Last Things ” column for the New Oxford Review .
He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press .

Lots of people say this, now that most of us can’t go to church: The Church is people. It’s not buildings. We can lose everything and still have each other. Jesus makes us brothers and sisters whether or not we have a place to meet.
We say it because not going to church hurts. Not being together, in person — that hurts. The Church is people, true. But the Church requires churches. The church of Notre Dame of Paris almost burned down a year ago today. The near loss of one of Christianity’s greatest buildings reminds us that our places matter.
Not a little bit. A lot. The virus has made many of us feel this as we never have before.
We Build Things
Why churches? Because people who agree deeply and love each other build things. Yes, where two or three gather in Jesus’s name, He’s with them. But when two or three gather in Jesus’s name for long, they build a church. Being the Church requires places to be the Church in.
Those interested in learning about Notre Dame and the fire will enjoy the fall 2019 issue of Sacred Architecture. The whole issue is now available online here. (I’m an editor of the magazine.)
The man and woman who commit themselves to each other in marriage soon want a home. Few want to bounce from hotel to hotel, even if they have the money for very nice hotels. They want to create a space that is theirs. They want to decorate it to tell the stories they want to tell, and celebrate the people they want to celebrate. The new couple wants a place to gather their family and friends.
That’s the reason Christians build churches. We’ve committed ourselves to a life with each other and we want to give that life a home. A place with an address. A place that’s ours. Where we can meet, talk, argue and encourage, help each other, console and confront, plan, serve. Most of all worship together. A place from which we can go out to share Jesus.
The Church needs churches. Most of us feel this now, because we don’t have them. We want to see our brothers and sisters in the places we’ve always seen them. In our churches.
The Great Churches
Does the Church need great churches? Like Notre Dame? Not all my friends think it does. But I do.
My friend Timothy Jones wrote last year of his joy at hearing that all of Notre Dame’s rose windows had survived the fire. He’s a painter, and sensitive to these things. He responded to people who said the cathedral was just a building. A big, pretty, famous one, but still just a building. Not a big loss.
“Don’t be too quick to let dry utilitarianism take hold,” he wrote. “It’s not just a building. Is a wedding dress just some fabric? Is the picture your child made for you just some paper and paint?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The great churches say something. They’re not just arrangements of stone, wood, iron, and glass. “The great cathedrals of the West could have been built only by men of great faith and great humility who were profoundly happy to know that they were sons of God,” Cardinal Robert Sarah said after the fire. “They are like a song of joy, a hymn to God’s glory sculpted in stone and painted in glass. They are the work of sons who love and adore their heavenly Father.”
Like a Song of Joy
Churches like Notre Dame were created to speak of God’s beauty and truth, by Christians who went all out to make them as grand and beautiful as possible. In different ways, depending on the style and time, they point to the Lord Who loves us. In ways no other buildings on earth do. We’re lucky to have them, though most of us will never get to see them.
The world sees this. When Notre Dame seemed about to collapse, even secular people felt the loss. Some seem to have known that it is more than an old, beautiful, historic building. It means something. We would say it points to Someone.
Seeing this, the pastor of a nearby church saw the fire as a call to evangelize. We can build on that sense that Notre Dame means something unusual and important. “Charred today, those stones call us to a profound conversion, because we now know how deeply our contemporaries are attached to them,” said Eric Iborra a few days after the fire. “It is up to us to reveal their meaning, to invite those people to enter our churches.”
Which is true for all of us, even if we gather at the ugliest church in town. (Which, if you’re Catholic, might well be the case.) This is the lesson of the burning cathedral and the isolating virus. We need each other. We need to be with each other in the home we share. And bring others into the family so they’ll call our churches their home, because for their own happiness, they need to come home.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-04-16--Los Angeles Will Hand Out Pre-Paid Debit Cards To Illegal Immigrants

Los Angeles will be doling out pre-paid debit cards to residents who have faced economic hardship due to the coronavirus lockdown , and living in the country illegally won ’ t disqualify you from getting the cash .
Los Angeles officials have begun accepting applications for a no-fee debit card that provides cash to residents who were already living under the poverty line before the coronavirus crisis began and have since had their incomes dramatically reduced because of the outbreak , KTLA5 reported .
The “ Angeleno Cards ” will be loaded with $ 700 , $ 1,100 or $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each household .
How does one qualify for such cards ?
An applicant must live within the city limits , already have been living under the federal poverty line before the COVID-19 crisis began , and have seen their income fall by at least 50 % because of the viral outbreak , according to the application website .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Being an illegal alien has no bearing on one ’ s eligibility , Democratic Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be asked anything about their immigration status , ” the mayor said Monday when discussing the program .
“ We are all Angelenos.
” City residents appear to be in dire need of the funds .
When the government began accepting applications Tuesday morning , the site crashed due to heavy traffic volume , and people who chose to apply over the phone reported long wait times .
“ HCIDLA requests your patience while we improve the site capacity .
Our site is overwhelmed by the thousands of ppl attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the inconvenience , ” tweeted the Housing and Community Investment Department of Los Angeles on Tuesday .
Depending on how many eligible applicants apply , officials might have to randomly select who gets a card .
Unlike other city-wide initiatives for victims of the economic lockdown , this program is not being funded by taxpayers .
Instead , it ’ s a partnership between the nonprofit Mayor ’ s Fund for Los Angeles and Mastercard ’ s City Possible .
The funds are expected to be doled out to recipients by April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis and Chicago — are providing coronavirus relief to illegal aliens .
However , California stands out as one state that is a major proponent of such efforts .
Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom already established a relief fund for businesses in the state that are run by illegal aliens , and earlier in April he confirmed that he is working with Democrats in the California state legislature on a “ Disaster Relief Fund ” for illegal aliens .
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation Content created by The Daily Caller News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Los Angeles will be doling out pre-paid debit cards to residents who have faced economic hardship due to the coronavirus lockdown, and living in the country illegally won’t disqualify you from getting the cash.
Los Angeles officials have begun accepting applications for a no-fee debit card that provides cash to residents who were already living under the poverty line before the coronavirus crisis began and have since had their incomes dramatically reduced because of the outbreak, KTLA5 reported.
The “Angeleno Cards” will be loaded with $700, $1,100 or $1,500 depending on the income and size of each household.
How does one qualify for such cards? An applicant must live within the city limits, already have been living under the federal poverty line before the COVID-19 crisis began, and have seen their income fall by at least 50% because of the viral outbreak, according to the application website.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Being an illegal alien has no bearing on one’s eligibility, Democratic Mayor Eric Garcetti made clear.
“Applicants will not be asked anything about their immigration status,” the mayor said Monday when discussing the program. “We are all Angelenos.”
City residents appear to be in dire need of the funds. When the government began accepting applications Tuesday morning, the site crashed due to heavy traffic volume, and people who chose to apply over the phone reported long wait times.
“HCIDLA requests your patience while we improve the site capacity. Our site is overwhelmed by the thousands of ppl attempting to access the app simultaneously. We apologize for the inconvenience,” tweeted the Housing and Community Investment Department of Los Angeles on Tuesday.
“Try again later,” it added.
Depending on how many eligible applicants apply, officials might have to randomly select who gets a card.
Unlike other city-wide initiatives for victims of the economic lockdown, this program is not being funded by taxpayers. Instead, it’s a partnership between the nonprofit Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles and Mastercard’s City Possible.
The funds are expected to be doled out to recipients by April 20.
Other cities — such as Minneapolis and Chicago — are providing coronavirus relief to illegal aliens. However, California stands out as one state that is a major proponent of such efforts.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom already established a relief fund for businesses in the state that are run by illegal aliens, and earlier in April he confirmed that he is working with Democrats in the California state legislature on a “Disaster Relief Fund” for illegal aliens.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-04-16--The Stream’s Jay Richards is Interviewed About the Health and Economic Crisis Created by COVID-19

COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life .
The Stream ’ s parent organization , LIFE Outreach International , is @ @ @ @ @ of help .
LIFE ’ s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical @ @ @ @ @ sanitary supplies to first responders , hospitals and nursing homes .
In addition , other @ @ @ @ @ as many meals as possible to help those who need food .
You can help @ @ @ @ @ here to donate .

COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help.
LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food.
You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-03-14--The Least Among Us, to Whom We Owe the Most: Our Elderly, at Greatest Coronavirus Risk

As I wrote earlier this week , the Coronavirus crisis touches me close to home , since someone I love very much has a compromised immune system .
In fact , several people do .
And none of them are elderly .
Two nephews half my age , for instance .
They have medical conditions requiring drugs that suppress immunity as an unhappy side-effect .
Now , most of those people live 1,000 or more miles away .
So while I might worry about them , I don ’ t have to worry about picking up the virus and unknowingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person on that list lives right here , and I see her every day .
So I have the duty to act as if I myself had a paper-thin immune system , too .
The fear that haunts me ( and makes it frankly hard sometimes for me to sleep , or think straight ) is that I might pick up the illness without knowing it , and pass it on to her .
I ’ d cough for a week or two .
She ’ d quite likely die .
How would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And I think that ’ s what God is calling us to do in a crisis like this .
Look past our personal fears , to the needs of others .
Once we have done our best for our immediate families , we must think of our neighbors .
Are there any elderly people who live near you , who perhaps live alone ?
Maybe contact them , see if there ’ s anything you can do .
Perhaps a daily phone call , since they might not want an in-person visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more broadly , and think of our towns , our nation , and the world .
Personally , I ’ m heartbroken by the reports coming in from Italy .
I ’ ve seen reports ( not yet confirmed ) on Twitter of old people slowly dying in hallways because of a shortage of hospital beds .
Of the rationing of medicine , to save those with better chances … it ’ s a nightmare .
I have a personal stake in this : Italians are my favorite people .
Yes , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the son of Italian immigrants .
I spent much of my childhood in his basement , hearing his hard-working parents ( who never learned English , but saved and bought a house now worth $ 1 million ) trill in that lovely tongue .
( It inspired me to study Italian in school , so I could talk to them — only to learn that they spoke instead a dialect . )
In that basement , I first tasted countless flavors my Irish-American mom vaguely feared were toxic , from garlic to chicken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My best friend ’ s mom was like a second mom to me — albeit one whom I couldn ’ t understand , who made food that tasted like something .
( Both wins , as far as I was concerned . )
She still lives with my friend , his wife , and their children , in a glorious two-family brownstone back in my beloved Astoria , Queens .
I pray she ’ ll be safe .
The Generation That Rebuilt from the Ruins But I envision millions of elderly Italians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country .
People whose childhoods ( like hers ) were scarred by the Second World War , by brutal Nazi occupiers and savage Allied bombings .
People who like her had to lift their four-year-old feet over the bodies of fallen neighbors .
Who lived among the rubble , and the hardships of postwar rebuilding .
Like her , they worked long hours in places like garment factories , for decades .
At last , their nation finally reached some level of prosperity , despite its fractious governments .
And now they hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some years to spend with their grandchildren .
Such people shouldn ’ t be choking and dying in hospital hallways .
Neither should the elderly in America .
But I fear that if our health care system gets totally overwhelmed , that ’ s exactly what will happen .
I ’ m afraid that we , more than Italians , are likely to succumb to a cold-blooded utilitarian calculus .
Our health bureaucrats will do things like counting the “ likely productive years ” of the patients they face , and route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the stronger .
Why do I fear that ?
Because of the moral poison that runs in our veins .
For instance , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to hold up funding for crucial Coronavirus response unless it also funded … abortion .
As the Daily Caller reports : “ Pelosi sought to include a potential way to guarantee federal funding for abortion into the coronavirus economic stimulus plan , according to multiple senior White House officials.
” Call me superstitious if you like , but I think if we make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s less likely to hear our prayers to be spared as a nation .
The contagion runs deeper .
The “ moderate ” frontrunner for the Democratic nomination , Joe Biden , has helped to spread it .
Anti-euthanasia crusader Wesley Smith reports at National Review the opinions of Biden ’ s hand-picked advisor on the Coronvirus crisis , Obamacare architect and “ bioethicist ” Ezekiel Emanuel .
Should Biden win the election , those who ’ ll take charge of our nation ’ s health system will be people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying : Emanuel says he ’ d prefer to die no later than age 75 .
And he wants our health system to encourage that choice among others .
He ’ d deny simple flu shots to the elderly .
And in a “ pandemic ” situation such as we face now ?
“ Certainly if there were to be a flu pandemic , a younger person who has yet to live a complete life ought to get the vaccine or any antiviral drugs , ” Emanuel has said .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly simple antibiotics , since death from infection is mercifully “ quick ” in his opinion .
Can You Argue With Him ?
If you accept the ethical system universally taught among our elites , you have no good grounds to argue with him .
Utilitarian hedonism asserts that since no God exists , suffering has no meaning .
The only sure moral judgment we can make is that suffering is bad , while pleasure is good .
So our job as moral people is to maximize pleasure worldwide , even among animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of elaborate sophistry like that reigning in high places , and the principalities and powers that lie behind it , mere argument won ’ t suffice .
We need to cling to commandments , such as “ Honor thy father and mother.
” We require the firmness of faith to resist all the morbid propaganda .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » But this commandment isn ’ t arbitrary , or premised solely on faith .
It ’ s part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it flows from reason .
Not from the petty calculations of back-of-the-envelope ethicists like Emanuel .
From the deepest well-springs of reason that encompass both brain and heart , that account for intangible goods and partake in piety — the lost virtue of gratitude for all that our forefathers gave us .
The things that are hard to account for , and easy to take for granted .
In fact , our callousness might well drive many old people to agree with Emanuel : forgotten , they ’ d rather just fade away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pay Those elderly Italians dying in hospitals today might not have much “ economic ” juice left in them .
They already squeezed themselves out , bearing and raising children .
Building a modern economy from the rubble of World War II .
Rejecting the siren song of Communism , which almost took over Italy via the ballot box .
Passing along their heritage , language , wisdom , and love to the next generation .
They have just a little left , a few stories they can tell their great-grandchildren , should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But we owe them .
We owe the elderly everything we see around us today .
They built it or kept it safe .
We are deep in their debt , as God ’ s own commandment reminds us .
Likewise we owe the young and unborn the protection our Congress won ’ t grant them .
I pray we remember all this as our times get darker , and that God grants us much more mercy than we deserve .
And now I ’ m calling my old friend Anthony in Astoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing .

As I wrote earlier this week, the Coronavirus crisis touches me close to home, since someone I love very much has a compromised immune system. In fact, several people do. And none of them are elderly. Two nephews half my age, for instance. They have medical conditions requiring drugs that suppress immunity as an unhappy side-effect. Now, most of those people live 1,000 or more miles away. So while I might worry about them, I don’t have to worry about picking up the virus and unknowingly infecting them. But the most important person on that list lives right here, and I see her every day.
So I have the duty to act as if I myself had a paper-thin immune system, too. The fear that haunts me (and makes it frankly hard sometimes for me to sleep, or think straight) is that I might pick up the illness without knowing it, and pass it on to her. I’d cough for a week or two. She’d quite likely die. How would I live with that in subsequent decades?
And I think that’s what God is calling us to do in a crisis like this. Look past our personal fears, to the needs of others. Once we have done our best for our immediate families, we must think of our neighbors. Are there any elderly people who live near you, who perhaps live alone? Maybe contact them, see if there’s anything you can do. Perhaps a daily phone call, since they might not want an in-person visit … .
The Italian Tragedy
Of course we must look more broadly, and think of our towns, our nation, and the world. Personally, I’m heartbroken by the reports coming in from Italy. I’ve seen reports (not yet confirmed) on Twitter of old people slowly dying in hallways because of a shortage of hospital beds. Of the rationing of medicine, to save those with better chances … it’s a nightmare.
I have a personal stake in this: Italians are my favorite people. Yes, because my best friend since age 7 is the son of Italian immigrants. I spent much of my childhood in his basement, hearing his hard-working parents (who never learned English, but saved and bought a house now worth $1 million) trill in that lovely tongue. (It inspired me to study Italian in school, so I could talk to them — only to learn that they spoke instead a dialect.) In that basement, I first tasted countless flavors my Irish-American mom vaguely feared were toxic, from garlic to chicken hearts, from olive oil to arugula.
My best friend’s mom was like a second mom to me — albeit one whom I couldn’t understand, who made food that tasted like something. (Both wins, as far as I was concerned.) She still lives with my friend, his wife, and their children, in a glorious two-family brownstone back in my beloved Astoria, Queens. I pray she’ll be safe.
The Generation That Rebuilt from the Ruins
But I envision millions of elderly Italians like her, back in the Old Country. People whose childhoods (like hers) were scarred by the Second World War, by brutal Nazi occupiers and savage Allied bombings. People who like her had to lift their four-year-old feet over the bodies of fallen neighbors. Who lived among the rubble, and the hardships of postwar rebuilding. Like her, they worked long hours in places like garment factories, for decades. At last, their nation finally reached some level of prosperity, despite its fractious governments. And now they hoped for a dignified, peaceful retirement, for some years to spend with their grandchildren.
Such people shouldn’t be choking and dying in hospital hallways. Neither should the elderly in America. But I fear that if our health care system gets totally overwhelmed, that’s exactly what will happen. I’m afraid that we, more than Italians, are likely to succumb to a cold-blooded utilitarian calculus. Our health bureaucrats will do things like counting the “likely productive years” of the patients they face, and route resources “efficiently” toward the younger and the stronger.
I’m afraid that we, more than Italians, are likely to succumb to a cold-blooded utilitarian calculus.
Why do I fear that? Because of the moral poison that runs in our veins. For instance, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to hold up funding for crucial Coronavirus response unless it also funded … abortion. As the Daily Caller reports: “Pelosi sought to include a potential way to guarantee federal funding for abortion into the coronavirus economic stimulus plan, according to multiple senior White House officials.” Call me superstitious if you like, but I think if we make a deal with Moloch like this one, God’s less likely to hear our prayers to be spared as a nation.
The “Duty to Die”
The contagion runs deeper. The “moderate” frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden, has helped to spread it. Anti-euthanasia crusader Wesley Smith reports at National Review the opinions of Biden’s hand-picked advisor on the Coronvirus crisis, Obamacare architect and “bioethicist” Ezekiel Emanuel. Should Biden win the election, those who’ll take charge of our nation’s health system will be people who think like this. Smith quotes Emanuel as saying:
[L]iving too long is also a loss. It renders many of us, if not disabled, then faltering and declining, a state that may not be worse than death but is nonetheless deprived. It robs us of our creativity and ability to contribute to work, society, the world. It transforms how people experience us, relate to us, and, most important, remember us. We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.
Emanuel says he’d prefer to die no later than age 75. And he wants our health system to encourage that choice among others. He’d deny simple flu shots to the elderly. And in a “pandemic” situation such as we face now? “Certainly if there were to be a flu pandemic, a younger person who has yet to live a complete life ought to get the vaccine or any antiviral drugs,” Emanuel has said. In fact, he’d apparently deny the elderly simple antibiotics, since death from infection is mercifully “quick” in his opinion.
Can You Argue With Him?
If you accept the ethical system universally taught among our elites, you have no good grounds to argue with him. Utilitarian hedonism asserts that since no God exists, suffering has no meaning. The only sure moral judgment we can make is that suffering is bad, while pleasure is good. So our job as moral people is to maximize pleasure worldwide, even among animals, and diminish suffering.
In the face of elaborate sophistry like that reigning in high places, and the principalities and powers that lie behind it, mere argument won’t suffice. We need to cling to commandments, such as “Honor thy father and mother.” We require the firmness of faith to resist all the morbid propaganda.
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But this commandment isn’t arbitrary, or premised solely on faith. It’s part of the natural law, which means that it flows from reason. Not from the petty calculations of back-of-the-envelope ethicists like Emanuel. From the deepest well-springs of reason that encompass both brain and heart, that account for intangible goods and partake in piety — the lost virtue of gratitude for all that our forefathers gave us. The things that are hard to account for, and easy to take for granted. In fact, our callousness might well drive many old people to agree with Emanuel: forgotten, they’d rather just fade away.
We Owe Them. Time to Pay
Those elderly Italians dying in hospitals today might not have much “economic” juice left in them. They already squeezed themselves out, bearing and raising children. Building a modern economy from the rubble of World War II. Rejecting the siren song of Communism, which almost took over Italy via the ballot box. Passing along their heritage, language, wisdom, and love to the next generation. They have just a little left, a few stories they can tell their great-grandchildren, should they live to see them again.
But we owe them. We owe the elderly everything we see around us today. They built it or kept it safe. We are deep in their debt, as God’s own commandment reminds us. Likewise we owe the young and unborn the protection our Congress won’t grant them.
I pray we remember all this as our times get darker, and that God grants us much more mercy than we deserve.
And now I’m calling my old friend Anthony in Astoria, to see how his mom is doing.
John Zmirak is a Senior Editor of The Stream, and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-03-14--Why Does God Allow the Coronavirus? 4 Christian Insights

School cancelled .
The NBA season suspended .
People sick .
And most tragic , thousands of people are dead .
Why would God allow such a terrible disease to become a pandemic ?
If God has the power , why wouldn ’ t He stop it ?
Don ’ t be afraid of the question Given that I teach Bible and apologetics , a number of people have been asking me this question over the past few days .
My guess is that it has crossed your mind as well .
As Christians , we should not be afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to love God with our hearts , souls and minds ( Mark 12:28-31 ) .
The Apostle Peter said to be ready with an answer for our hope ( 1 Peter 3:15 ) .
Christianity has a rich history of wrestling with all sorts of difficult questions , including the problem of natural evil .
Caring for people in need Yet , before we probe this question any further , let me state something up front : I am not going to pretend to address this question entirely .
I am not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its entirety .
God does not answer Job ’ s plea with a reason for his pain .
Rather , He helps Job understand that his perspective is limited , and that God can still be trusted amidst Job ’ s questions and pain .
Even attempting a question can feel insensitive and uncaring , especially because so many people have been affected by this disease .
Thus , if you have suffered because of the coronavirus , please know that I am deeply sorry for your experience .
If you are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first response is to empathize with them .
As the Apostle Paul said , “ Rejoice with those who rejoice ; weep with those who weep ” ( Romans 12:15 ) .
And then , of course , we need to reach out and love our neighbors .
Four Christian insights about evil and suffering Rather than attempting to answer specifically why God allows the coronavirus , please allow me to offer four general insights from the Christian worldview .
For those who want to go further , I will suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope is that these four points will be springboards for further discussion with your family , friends , and neighbors .
First , the world is deeply broken .
Although the Bible begins with the creation of the world , and of mankind being placed in a beautiful Garden , the world very quickly gets messed up .
The entire world is affected when Adam and Even choose to disobey God .
Not only does sin break the relationship between God and human beings , but the physical ground itself is cursed ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminds us that creation “ groans ” and awaits restoration ( Romans 8:19-20 ) .
The extent of sin ’ s effect on creation is debated among theologians .
In fact , some scientists have even observed that viruses are necessary for life on planet earth .
Yet Christians should not be surprised by the brokenness of the world , including the existence and spread of deadly viruses .
Quite literally , sin has ravaged everything .
Second , God allows suffering and evil to draw us to eternal things .
God does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow it .
One reason may be that God knows that life continues for eternity after this present age .
It is easy to get distracted by the desires and needs of the moment .
Yet if the afterlife is real , God may allow evil and suffering to stir us up to think about eternal life .
He may allow us to suffer so we move beyond our momentary pleasures and focus on what lasts forever .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering .
It is only in the Christian faith that God actually experiences human suffering .
While Scripture does not mention Jesus getting sick , we do know that he suffered immensely from hunger and stress ( e.g.
, Matthew 26:36-46 ) .
The author of Hebrews writes , “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses , but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are , yet without sin ” ( 4:15 ) .
The God of the Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has entered into it .
He understands when we suffer and empathizes with us .
Where is God when we suffer ?
Part of the answer is that He is right there suffering with us .
Fourth , Jesus has conquered this world .
Sickness , evil , and death do not have the last word .
Jesus does .
The Apostle Paul suffered immensely .
He was shipwrecked , beaten , stoned , and experienced deep hunger and thirst .
And yet he refused to lose heart ( see 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because he knew Jesus had already conquered this world .
Paul believed in the resurrection of Jesus , and thus refused to grieve without hope ( see 1 Thess .
4:13 ) .
So much more could be said about why God allows suffering and natural evil .
This post is not meant to offer a simple and tidy response , but to offer some insights about how Christians can think about such a difficult question .
Let ’ s have conversations with our unbelieving friends about why God allows suffering and evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to empathize with and love them as our neighbors .
If you want to read further about the Christian worldview response to evil and suffering , I suggest The Problem of Pain by C.S .
Lewis , Why Does God Allow Evil by Clay Jones , and Where Is God When It Hurts ?
by Philip Yancey .

School cancelled. The NBA season suspended. People sick. And most tragic, thousands of people are dead.
Why would God allow such a terrible disease to become a pandemic? If God has the power, why wouldn’t He stop it?
Don’t Be Afraid of the Question
Given that I teach Bible and apologetics, a number of people have been asking me this question over the past few days. My guess is that it has crossed your mind as well.
As Christians, we should not be afraid of difficult questions like this. Jesus said to love God with our hearts, souls and minds (Mark 12:28-31). The Apostle Peter said to be ready with an answer for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Christianity has a rich history of wrestling with all sorts of difficult questions, including the problem of natural evil.
Caring for People in Need
Yet, before we probe this question any further, let me state something up front: I am not going to pretend to address this question entirely. I am not even sure it can be answered in its entirety. God does not answer Job’s plea with a reason for his pain. Rather, He helps Job understand that his perspective is limited, and that God can still be trusted amidst Job’s questions and pain.
Even attempting a question can feel insensitive and uncaring, especially because so many people have been affected by this disease. Thus, if you have suffered because of the coronavirus, please know that I am deeply sorry for your experience. If you are a Christian, and you see people suffering, the first response is to empathize with them. As the Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). And then, of course, we need to reach out and love our neighbors.
Four Christian Insights About Evil and Suffering
Rather than attempting to answer specifically why God allows the coronavirus, please allow me to offer four general insights from the Christian worldview. For those who want to go further, I will suggest some books at the end. My hope is that these four points will be springboards for further discussion with your family, friends, and neighbors.
First, the world is deeply broken. Although the Bible begins with the creation of the world, and of mankind being placed in a beautiful Garden, the world very quickly gets messed up. The entire world is affected when Adam and Even choose to disobey God. Not only does sin break the relationship between God and human beings, but the physical ground itself is cursed (Genesis 3:17-18). The Apostle Paul reminds us that creation “groans” and awaits restoration (Romans 8:19-20).
The extent of sin’s effect on creation is debated among theologians. In fact, some scientists have even observed that viruses are necessary for life on planet earth. Yet Christians should not be surprised by the brokenness of the world, including the existence and spread of deadly viruses. Quite literally, sin has ravaged everything.
Second, God allows suffering and evil to draw us to eternal things. God does not cause evil. But He does allow it. One reason may be that God knows that life continues for eternity after this present age. It is easy to get distracted by the desires and needs of the moment. Yet if the afterlife is real, God may allow evil and suffering to stir us up to think about eternal life. He may allow us to suffer so we move beyond our momentary pleasures and focus on what lasts forever.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Third, Jesus understands our suffering. It is only in the Christian faith that God actually experiences human suffering. While Scripture does not mention Jesus getting sick, we do know that he suffered immensely from hunger and stress (e.g., Matthew 26:36-46). The author of Hebrews writes, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15).
The God of the Bible has not abandoned us to our suffering. He has entered into it. He understands when we suffer and empathizes with us. Where is God when we suffer? Part of the answer is that He is right there suffering with us.
Fourth, Jesus has conquered this world. Sickness, evil, and death do not have the last word. Jesus does. The Apostle Paul suffered immensely. He was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, and experienced deep hunger and thirst. And yet he refused to lose heart (see 2 Cor. 6:4-5). Why? Because he knew Jesus had already conquered this world. Paul believed in the resurrection of Jesus, and thus refused to grieve without hope (see 1 Thess. 4:13).
So much more could be said about why God allows suffering and natural evil. This post is not meant to offer a simple and tidy response, but to offer some insights about how Christians can think about such a difficult question.
Let’s have conversations with our unbelieving friends about why God allows suffering and evil. But remember, our first task it to empathize with and love them as our neighbors.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
If you want to read further about the Christian worldview response to evil and suffering, I suggest The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis, Why Does God Allow Evil by Clay Jones, and Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey.
Sean McDowell, Ph.D., is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, the National Spokesman for Summit Ministries, a best-selling author, popular speaker, and part-time high school teacher. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell and his blog: seanmcdowell.org.
Originally published at SeanMcDowell.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-03-14--‘We’re Taking an Overabundance of Caution’: Border Patrol Braces for Spread of Coronavirus

Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) officials said its agency , including Border Patrol agents , is following all the necessary steps to combat the coronavirus outbreak in a conference call with reporters Friday .
CBP expressed confidence that the agency has the necessary resources to deal with potential contact of the novel COVID-19 virus .
Namely , officials remarked that it has ample personal protective equipment , or PPE , for the entire U.S.-Mexico border , keeping Border Patrol agents more safe as they continue enforcing immigration laws .
“ We ’ ve done PPE inventory of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said a senior CBP official .
Agency staffers wished not to be named , citing the high number of employees involved in the call .
“ We have sufficient PPE to deal with this .
I think the important message here for the Border Patrol , in particular , and probably all of CBP , is that we deal with contagious diseases and the potential for our employees to be exposed all the time , ” the official continued .
PPE encompasses a range of equipment that can protect agents from outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , N95 respirators and even surgical gowns .
The statements came as the coronavirus pandemic is worsening within U.S. borders .
President Donald Trump officially declared a state of emergency Friday , allowing the federal government to tap tens of billions to fight the pandemic .
However , CBP officials noted that disease prevention has always been part and parcel of immigration enforcement .
Border Patrol agents patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border , and CBP officials working in major U.S. airports , are in contact with individuals from around the world on a constant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trained to deal with potentially contagious diseases .
We ’ re in lockstep with the national Border Patrol union on messaging and actions that are being taken out on the field , ” the CBP official explained .
“ We ’ re taking an overabundance of caution for any employees who may have been exposed , and offering them certain options for leave or working , ” the official added .
However , it ’ s not clear how many agents have been tested , or even infected , with COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ does track employees who might have been exposed to the virus , they were not “ prepared ” to share that information at this time .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » Outbreak of the coronavirus comes as border crossings are at months-long lows .
CBP reported a total 30,068 migrants along the southern border in February .
While this number marked just a short uptick from the 29,206 apprehended in January , it is a far cry from the border crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May at more than 144,000 .
Trump credited a “ very strong border policy ” for the low amount of coronavirus deaths , tweeting Friday that the number would be much higher had the border been more porous .
“ To this point , and because we have had a very strong border policy , we have had 40 deaths related to CoronaVirus .
If we had weak or open borders , that number would be many times higher !
” he said .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said its agency, including Border Patrol agents, is following all the necessary steps to combat the coronavirus outbreak in a conference call with reporters Friday.
CBP expressed confidence that the agency has the necessary resources to deal with potential contact of the novel COVID-19 virus. Namely, officials remarked that it has ample personal protective equipment, or PPE, for the entire U.S.-Mexico border, keeping Border Patrol agents more safe as they continue enforcing immigration laws.
“We’ve done PPE inventory of the entire border. We are good,” said a senior CBP official. Agency staffers wished not to be named, citing the high number of employees involved in the call.
“We have sufficient PPE to deal with this. I think the important message here for the Border Patrol, in particular, and probably all of CBP, is that we deal with contagious diseases and the potential for our employees to be exposed all the time,” the official continued.
PPE encompasses a range of equipment that can protect agents from outside contagions, including gloves, face masks, N95 respirators and even surgical gowns.
The statements came as the coronavirus pandemic is worsening within U.S. borders. President Donald Trump officially declared a state of emergency Friday, allowing the federal government to tap tens of billions to fight the pandemic.
However, CBP officials noted that disease prevention has always been part and parcel of immigration enforcement. Border Patrol agents patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border, and CBP officials working in major U.S. airports, are in contact with individuals from around the world on a constant basis.
“We are constantly prepared and trained to deal with potentially contagious diseases. We’re in lockstep with the national Border Patrol union on messaging and actions that are being taken out on the field,” the CBP official explained.
“We’re taking an overabundance of caution for any employees who may have been exposed, and offering them certain options for leave or working,” the official added.
However, it’s not clear how many agents have been tested, or even infected, with COVID-19. While officials on Friday said the agency does track employees who might have been exposed to the virus, they were not “prepared” to share that information at this time.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Outbreak of the coronavirus comes as border crossings are at months-long lows. CBP reported a total 30,068 migrants along the southern border in February. While this number marked just a short uptick from the 29,206 apprehended in January, it is a far cry from the border crisis seen in mid-2019, when apprehensions peaked in May at more than 144,000.
Trump credited a “very strong border policy” for the low amount of coronavirus deaths, tweeting Friday that the number would be much higher had the border been more porous.
“To this point, and because we have had a very strong border policy, we have had 40 deaths related to CoronaVirus. If we had weak or open borders, that number would be many times higher!” he said.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-03-14--President Declares Sunday a National Day of Prayer

President Trump has announced major step in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic .
He ’ s declared Sunday , March 15 , a “ National Day of Prayer.
” Said Trump in two tweets : It is my great honor to declare Sunday , March 15th as a National Day of Prayer .
We are a Country that , throughout our history , has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these .
No matter where you may be , I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith .
Together , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Day of Prayer occurs the first Thursday in May .
However , as the president said , our leaders have called for special prayers in times of crisis throughout our history .
The call to prayer came hours after Trump declared a national state of emergency over the virus .
Alveta King , niece of Rev .
Martin Luther King and a member of Trump ’ s Faith Initiative , thanked the president in a tweet : “ Yes , we will be praying , ” she said .
“ Psalm 91.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You who live in the shelter of the Most High , who abide in the shadow of the Almighty , will say to the Lord , “ My refuge and my fortress ; my God , in whom I trust.
” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence ; he will cover you with his pinions , and under his wings you will find refuge ; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler .
You will not fear the terror of the night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the destruction that wastes at noonday .
As we pray , we remember God ’ s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 : If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land .
In this time of national danger and anxiety , if heaven hears from us , we will hear from heaven .
We already know this .
From George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from heaven when our leaders have sought Him and called on Him .

President Trump has announced major step in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. He’s declared Sunday, March 15, a “National Day of Prayer.” On Saturday, he issued a proclamation, which reads:
In our times of greatest need, Americans have always turned to prayer to help guide us through trials and periods of uncertainty. As we continue to face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans are unable to gather in their churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship. But in this time we must not cease asking God for added wisdom, comfort, and strength, and we must especially pray for those who have suffered harm or who have lost loved ones. I ask you to join me in a day of prayer for all people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and to pray for God’s healing hand to be placed on the people of our Nation.
As your President, I ask you to pray for the health and well-being of your fellow Americans and to remember that no problem is too big for God to handle. We should all take to heart the holy words found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” Let us pray that all those affected by the virus will feel the presence of our Lord’s protection and love during this time. With God’s help, we will overcome this threat.
On Friday, I declared a national emergency and took other bold actions to help deploy the full power of the Federal Government to assist with efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. I now encourage all Americans to pray for those on the front lines of the response, especially our Nation’s outstanding medical professionals and public health officials who are working tirelessly to protect all of us from the coronavirus and treat patients who are infected; all of our courageous first responders, National Guard, and dedicated individuals who are working to ensure the health and safety of our communities; and our Federal, State, and local leaders. We are confident that He will provide them with the wisdom they need to make difficult decisions and take decisive actions to protect Americans all across the country. As we come to our Father in prayer, we remember the words found in Psalm 91: “He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
As we unite in prayer, we are reminded that there is no burden too heavy for God to lift or for this country to bear with His help. Luke 1:37 promises that “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” and those words are just as true today as they have ever been. As one Nation under God, we are greater than the hardships we face, and through prayer and acts of compassion and love, we will rise to this challenge and emerge stronger and more united than ever before. May God bless each of you, and may God bless the United States of America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 15, 2020, as a National Day of Prayer for All Americans Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic and for our National Response Efforts. I urge Americans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers for all those affected, including people who have suffered harm or lost loved ones.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP