Coronavirus news

[Julio]

There are a whole host of varying precautions being taken by forum members responsible for conducting worship services ... both clergy and lay leaders. 

Have any congregations represented by forum clergy and lay members had any virus spread traced back to either church services or other church activities?

[Richard Johnson]

Sobering:

Sweden 'got it wrong on herd immunity'

Sweden "is now seeing the number of new cases rise by as much as 50 per cent a week, with a record 5,990 new coronavirus cases and 42 deaths reported on Friday - dramatically higher rates than reported in Norway, Denmark and Finland." 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tegnells-predecessor-blames-wishful-thinking-124542268.html

[Michael Slusser]

Also confusing:

The new coronavirus was circulating in Italy in September 2019, a study by the National Cancer Institute (INT) of the Italian city of Milan shows, signaling that it might have spread beyond China earlier than thought.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-timing/coronavirus-emerged-in-italy-earlier-than-thought-italian-study-shows-idUSKBN27V0KF

Peace,
Michael

[D. Engebretson]

On a positive front we have yet another pharmaceutical company announce promising developments in their own vaccine trials. 

For the second time this month, there's promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world.

Moderna said its vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company's ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.

Dr. Stephen Hoge, Moderna's president, welcomed the "really important milestone" but said having similar results from two different companies is what's most reassuring.
CBS, Nov. 16, 2020

Finally, some light at the end of our dark pandemic tunnel.

On another note, I remain confused by testing for COVID-19.  On the news this morning there was discussion on a number of things in connection with testing including the prediction of a shortfall in resources, and the limited benefit of it.  One person was tested four times by the same nurse with varying results.  Another, who already had the virus, received a 'false positive.'  I don't discount the need for testing, but see its limitations.  I'm concerned, especially with the holidays coming up, that people will rush to be tested, receive a negative result, assume they are safe, let their guard down, and later discover they got a false negative.  We must use testing as one tool among many, but recognize its limitations. 

[Charles Austin]

Even if one is tested and found negative, one still needs to take precautions.
Testing determines whether one should be going out and about in the community or having any kind of contact with other people.
If you are infected, you can infect other people.
I’ve been tested three times, once prior to a medical procedure.  Beloved Spouse and I together have been tested twice. Negative all times.

[Brian Stoffregen]

We must use testing as one tool among many, but recognize its limitations.

That is true for all the precautions we take: masks, social distancing, disinfecting wipes, etc. I don't think any one of them is 100% certain to prevent catching the virus. Each has limitations, but each one adds a measure of protection.

[JEdwards]

On a positive front we have yet another pharmaceutical company announce promising developments in their own vaccine trials. 

For the second time this month, there's promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world.

Moderna said its vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company's ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.

Dr. Stephen Hoge, Moderna's president, welcomed the "really important milestone" but said having similar results from two different companies is what's most reassuring.
CBS, Nov. 16, 2020

Finally, some light at the end of our dark pandemic tunnel.

Certainly a cause for prayers of thanksgiving.  I think today's news is even more encouraging than what we learned last week about Pfizer's vaccine, for two reasons.  First, this report included data about prevention of severe disease (11 cases in the placebo group, none in the vaccinated group).  Second, this vaccine remains stable when stored in conventional vaccine freezers (Pfizer's product requires special, super-cold freezers).

Peace,
Jon

[Randy Bosch]

On a positive front we have yet another pharmaceutical company announce promising developments in their own vaccine trials. 

For the second time this month, there's promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world.

Moderna said its vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company's ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.

Dr. Stephen Hoge, Moderna's president, welcomed the "really important milestone" but said having similar results from two different companies is what's most reassuring.
CBS, Nov. 16, 2020

Finally, some light at the end of our dark pandemic tunnel.

Certainly a cause for prayers of thanksgiving.  I think today's news is even more encouraging than what we learned last week about Pfizer's vaccine, for two reasons.  First, this report included data about prevention of severe disease (11 cases in the placebo group, none in the vaccinated group).  Second, this vaccine remains stable when stored in conventional vaccine freezers (Pfizer's product requires special, super-cold freezers).

Peace,
Jon

Pfizer's decision to us super-cold freezers may, upon further testing, not prove to be necessary for their vaccine, simply their protocol.  Let's see what they do, too.

[Richard Johnson]

Like most of California, cases are going up in my county--a jump of 9% over the weekend, after 5% from Thursday to Friday. We were anticipating being bumped up to the "red zone," but we jumped right over red to purple as of today--"widespread." "Red" would have had little impact on church stuff, since it would have meant in theory a decrease of allowable attendance from 50% to 25% capacity, but we couldn't really manage 50% anyway and only one Sunday have had more than 25%. But with purple, no more indoor services. I was to fill in on Advent 1, but now that's off the schedule (though I'll still be preaching for our online service). Of California's 58 counties, 41 are now in the "widespread" category. Of the other 17, 11 are in the red "substantial" category.

I feel sorry for my rector, who, through all of this, has had the task of being the county's "clergy coordinator." So he was on the phone (or maybe computer) this afternoon, trying to call all the pastors in the county to let them know about the new status. Most of them are cooperative. Some of them aren't.

[Julio]

Like most of California, cases are going up in my county--a jump of 9% over the weekend, after 5% from Thursday to Friday. We were anticipating being bumped up to the "red zone," but we jumped right over red to purple as of today--"widespread." "Red" would have had little impact on church stuff, since it would have meant in theory a decrease of allowable attendance from 50% to 25% capacity, but we couldn't really manage 50% anyway and only one Sunday have had more than 25%. But with purple, no more indoor services. I was to fill in on Advent 1, but now that's off the schedule (though I'll still be preaching for our online service). Of California's 58 counties, 41 are now in the "widespread" category. Of the other 17, 11 are in the red "substantial" category.

I feel sorry for my rector, who, through all of this, has had the task of being the county's "clergy coordinator." So he was on the phone (or maybe computer) this afternoon, trying to call all the pastors in the county to let them know about the new status. Most of them are cooperative. Some of them aren't.

County Clergy Coordinator?? Is he simply responsible for his denomination’s clergy ... or responsible for reigning in all the county’s clergy?

If he is responsible for all the county’s clergy ... and it is a volunteer position, it must be almost as thankless a task as moderating the humble forum.🤭

[J. Thomas Shelley]

Is there a First Amendment in California anymore?

The blood of the Martyrs of Abilene who said "we cannot live without Sunday" is crying out!

[Julio]

Is there a First Amendment in California anymore?

First Amendment Do doubt the Second is as equally abused on the left coast as the first!🤔

[Brian Stoffregen]

Like most of California, cases are going up in my county--a jump of 9% over the weekend, after 5% from Thursday to Friday. We were anticipating being bumped up to the "red zone," but we jumped right over red to purple as of today--"widespread." "Red" would have had little impact on church stuff, since it would have meant in theory a decrease of allowable attendance from 50% to 25% capacity, but we couldn't really manage 50% anyway and only one Sunday have had more than 25%. But with purple, no more indoor services. I was to fill in on Advent 1, but now that's off the schedule (though I'll still be preaching for our online service). Of California's 58 counties, 41 are now in the "widespread" category. Of the other 17, 11 are in the red "substantial" category.

I feel sorry for my rector, who, through all of this, has had the task of being the county's "clergy coordinator." So he was on the phone (or maybe computer) this afternoon, trying to call all the pastors in the county to let them know about the new status. Most of them are cooperative. Some of them aren't.

County Clergy Coordinator?? Is he simply responsible for his denomination’s clergy ... or responsible for reigning in all the county’s clergy?

If he is responsible for all the county’s clergy ... and it is a volunteer position, it must be almost as thankless a task as moderating the humble forum.🤭

In many California counties, there is only one congregation of each denomination. When I was in the same conference as Dick, my congregation was the only ELCA in two counties: Sutter and Yuba Counties. I believe there was only one LCMS for the two counties, too. Many of the communities have an ecumenical ministerial association.

[Charles Austin]

We just cannot avoid the shocking idiocies.
The governor of Michigan announced plans to deal with the soaring infection rates.
They include some shutdowns of restaurants, casinos and theaters.
A White House staffer, Dr. Scott Atlas, Trump’s virus coordinator (and not an expert in the field), urged people in the state to “rise up” in protest. “The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept,” Dr. Atlas wrote on Twitter.
Gov. Whitmer, earlier this year the target of a kidnapping plot by an antigovernment extremist group, said the statement left her “breathless.”

[Coach-Rev]

Jeff simply notes that the Michigan Supreme court already ruled against her previous draconian Covid laws (She even tried to legislate how people walked to and from the bathroom in restaurants), as she is arguably the most power hungry and dictatorial of all the liberal governors throughout the states.  So there's that.