Finding Truth Amid a Pandemic
I was recently introduced to a video on YouTube of a presentation given by a medical doctor about the coronavirus. This doctor shares information and opinions about the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a counter argument against many of the measures that have been taken. My purpose for writing this post, is not to discredit this doctor or disprove the claims that are made, but to help everyone understand that we cannot assume the information we are presented about anything, is correct or true simply by its existence or by some persuasive argument. We need to be cautious so that we are not deceived, even about temporal matters. There are motivations for presenting information that are not always based on the well-being of others and it is possible to produce contrary persuasive arguments about virtually anything.
Fortunately, we have been provided a way to discern truth, to identify information that does promote our well-being. The gift of the Holy Ghost can provide us with personal revelation that can truly prepare us and help us understand what we should believe and do. Only through seeking earnestly the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, can we finally find truth.
To illustrate my point that we need to be cautious, and that it is possible to create contrary arguments, I provide here the issues I have taken with the doctor’s presentation.
- While this doctor does cite some relevant personal credentials, the information provided about COVID-19 is not presented with credible references, scientific research or descriptions of personal experience, and so I believe that these claims are based mostly on theory and conjecture. Though some of the information may be proved correct by other sources or in the future, the lack of evidence in this video does not motivate me to change my behavior according to the suggestions.
- I believe that the “security and confidence” the doctor desires that we obtain will not come by changing our perception of the severity or existence of the pandemic. It can only come by seeking personal revelation and by exercising faith.
- Statistically speaking the information about the numbers of COVID-19 related deaths is accurate, however my feeling is that in matters of life and death statistics become irrelevant. The realities faced by individuals are worth more that the numbers they represent. I cite my own experience with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent research into survivability rates as the source of my personal feelings. Statistics become meaningless when we are in the depths of trials.
- The doctor’s claim that this virus does not do well under warm temperatures etc. is in direct conflict with a scientific research report. And as seen by the exponential growth of infection rates in the hot “sunbelt states” as shown in another report.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7142675/
- https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/06/covid-19-continues-surge-sunbelt-mask-debate-returns
- The claim that COVID-19 does not significantly affect children is accurate based on a study. This April study with a sample size of 149,082 indicated 3 deaths and a 5.7% hospitalization rate for people under 18. For the sake of the parents of the 3 deaths in the study, we cannot not call this rate insignificant.
- The claim that this virus has simply been a “nursing home problem” is inaccurate. The median COVID-19 infection age is currently 18-34 though the median death age is 80+.
- The idea that social distancing being based on a theoretical model from a high school student, and that it is not scientifically based is inaccurate. This 2006 research paper indicates a decrease in influenza infection rate by more than 90% when social distancing methods are applied.
- The claim that there is no scientific justification for “normal healthy people” to be wearing masks is inaccurate. The doctor cites the CDC as a source of this information however this recommendation from the CDC is in direct conflict with that statement. Here the CDC cites 19 scientific studies that argue for the wearing of face coverings.
- The claim that the virus does not live for a very long time on surfaces is inaccurate as indicated by a scientific study (i.e. 72 hours for plastic and steel). Also, What is the basis for “long time”?
- The medication referenced that “has been around for more than 60 years”, “for the treatment of malaria” is hydroxychloroquine. Which this study has shown to be ineffective.
And now for more of my own belief and opinion...
We are all currently seeking hope. Some may even wish to return to the ‘old normal’. Instead let us seek ways to grow and improve, move beyond what we consider normal into something extraordinary. The great challenges can provide the greatest opportunities to do this. Each of us should ask, “what is the best thing I can be doing with the time I am given?” “As a person endowed with the Holy Spirit, what can I do to let my light shine?” I believe answers to these questions are what provide truth and hope, and that God does help us in our trials.
And just to be sure that I am not alone this belief, here is a different video, one that inspires hope.