Greetings to each of you,

I know I just recently emailed all of you, and it has been my practice to not get too frequent with emails. But, even as a person of faith, the constant barrage of news regarding the coronavirus can be discouraging, and worrisome. I was just speaking with my 88 year old mother, and reminded her that, even if one contracted the virus, the survival rate is somewhere around 98%. That is better than the 94% success rate they told me when I had open heart surgery in 2006. 

Still, it is easy to absorb all of the fear energy in the air these days. So, I thought I would share some things as I felt uplifted by them. One is this quote excerpt from a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association email I just read. 

Maybe your heart has been gripped by fears as millions of others have because of the coronavirus pandemic, but I want you to know that God loves you. He made you. He created you. He knows everything about your life. You don’t need to be afraid. Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Franklin Graham (BGEA)

The other is a three minute mp4 video from an email I received today from the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints missionaries. I have tried to attach the file to this email, but have also included it as a link in case the file attachment is too large for emailing. 

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

https://mediasrv.lds.org/media-services/ML/size/1283569852001/480/268/382669

Whether or not you are Christian, God still is the Creator of all. God still loves you. Be well. Hang in there.    

God’s peace,

william
Acts 5:29

From: William Gibbons Jr
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 1:19 PM
To: william's email list 2018
Subject: FW Sharing

Greetings to each of you,

As the volunteer director of william’s works, I just sent the below T&SC email to those directly affiliated with the organization. Since the Teaching & Sharing Centers organization has not yet recreated its own mailing list, nor has the means to send multiple recipient emails, I am forwarding it to you also, my personal mailing list. Many of you on this list have been a part of my work over the years. 

Although I provided three contact names in that email to those still directly connected with the organization, I would be the main contact for you on my list seeing this for the first time. If you are on one (or more) of the lists who received the original email, this is simply a duplicate, with no additional information. Be well. Hang in there. 

From: Teaching & Sharing Centers
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 12:57 PM
To: T&SC Board of Trustees; T&SC Lifetime Members; T&SC Members; T&SC the poet's circle
Subject: Sharing

Even though the center building is closed, we are here, and we believe in sharing. No one needs to try to face the challenging days ahead alone. 

May God guide each and every one of us through these unsettling times, and keep us mindful of sharing. 

God’s peace,

william
Acts 5:29

www.tscenters.org

william’s works is a branch of the Teaching & Sharing Centers 501c3 IRS approved non-profit organization. william is the volunteer director of the branch, which highlights his work. 

_____________

From: William Gibbons Jr
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 11:33 AM
To: william's email list 2018
Subject: The Coronavirus Explained

Greetings to each of you,

It is not my intention to make this a daily exercise, but I received just now an email from Philip Yancey, one of my favorite authors, titled Living In Plague Times. I am on his group list, just as you are on mine. In fact, it was his style of starting a blog as a short email, then providing a link for the rest of it, if interested, that started me doing the same with my longer newsletters. He offered some links in his online blog. The first, an animated You Tube, was quite impressive in its simplicity of presentation. In his words . . . .

“This link provides a nuts-and-bolts overview of the science behind the virus in an entertaining animated format.”

The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtN-goy9VOY&feature=youtu.be

The other links in his blog were also good, but I will let you decide which you might wish to access by using his blog link . . . .  

https://philipyancey.com/living-in-plague-times

One of his other links is to another of my favorite writers, Richard Rohr. There is also a link about how Martin Luther responded to the plagues of Europe in his time. But, even if you do not read any of those, I thought the final quote he highlighted from Luther was worth sharing . . . .

“Luther lived before people understood how disease germs are spread.  Yet on balance the great Reformer offers wise advice:

I shall ask God mercifully to protect us.  Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it.  I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.  If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others.  If my neighbour needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above.  See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God."

One reply, to a previous email I sent, took me to task for using general survival rates as provided by Consumers Reports, and the official State of Michigan Covid19 website, pointing out that the survival rate for those at high risk like my mother, or even me, is much lower. I sincerely hope each of you understands this, and make good choices accordingly. 

Be well. The Creator of all that is seen, and unseen, is still sovereign.  

God’s peace,

william
Acts 5:29

_____________

From: William Gibbons Jr
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2020 11:58 AM
To: william's email list 2018
Subject: FW: Coronavirus News Article

Greetings to each of you,

The primary purpose of this email is to share the attached PDF article quoting Dr. David Price of the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Dave is an ICU doctor who is on the frontlines at the center of the U.S. outbreak, at a hospital where 20% of New York state’s coronavirus cases are being treated. Most of what I have seen on the TV from hospitals are stories of frustration, stress, and the fears of those on the frontlines. This is justifiably so considering the enormous burden they are dealing with. The attached document, while realistic, is more upbeat than the typical TV news. 

For my information, I tend to rely on emails received from the Mayo Clinic, Consumer Reports, Medicare, and the CDC and State of Michigan Covid19 websites. But, sometimes you just need a break from it all. Wednesday was Donna’s and my 27th wedding anniversary. For lunch, we drove through Burger King (her favorite fast food), and took our Whopper meals down by the river to have while sitting in the car near Delta Mills Park. At dinner time she cooked some shrimp we had in the freezer, and we made some nice salads. In the evening, we started reviewing pictures from our 25th anniversary trip to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We are narrowing down the 7,380 pictures I took, to something more reasonable for a computer slide show for us to have. I never saw the news, or visited a website, all day. It was a great day. 

The rest of this email is basically some thoughts from me for those on my mailing list who deem themselves to be Christian. 

_______

The fact that God has not stepped in to miraculously rid us of the Covid19 virus, does not mean He is incapable of doing so. The Creator of all that is seen, and unseen, is still sovereign . . . even over viruses. As I have stated before, I am very grateful we have experts with the God given talents, knowledge, and wisdom, to understand and ultimately combat this disease. 

Having said that, I must confess that with my particular belief of the omnipotence of God, this is therefore something that God has allowed. That naturally leads me to conclude, while using all of our gifts to the utmost of our abilities, this is a time for great humility. I once saw a quote where someone said that God can fill anyone with His spirit except those who are already full of themselves. As a nation, we have gotten pretty full of ourselves regardless of where one falls on the political, or religious, spectrum. Humility is not one of our strong suits, until now perhaps. 

My particular worry if I were to somehow get Covid19 is not dying. In my 70th year, much more life has gone by than is left before I must die, just like everyone else. Yet, even as a person in an “at risk” group, I would have better odds of surviving the disease than dying from it. Quadruple by-pass heart surgery was no tip toe through the tulips either. But heart disease is not contagious. No, my biggest fear regarding Covid19 is that, if contracted, I could pass it on to someone else even before I knew I had it. I have always prayed that my words would be truth, and my actions, presence, or anything shared, would not bring harm to anyone. My solace is, that if I try to do the things we are told by the experts are needed to keep that from happening, like the Martin Luther quote shared in an earlier email states, it puts the responsibility back into God’s hands, should it become so. But there are things, even beyond what those focused on combating the disease are saying, that I can contribute. I can ask the question “what would Jesus have me do?”

Several months prior to Covid19 taking center stage in the world, in my morning time of prayer and meditation, I started getting thoughts of developing an In His Steps Groups program to offer through the Teaching & Sharing Centers. Usually, I do not like to talk about something still in the works because things change frequently, and so much depends on my time availability. I have not even typed up all the details from my notes yet. Then those need to be emailed to the T&SC Board of Trustees to see if they would prefer to offer it as a part of the christian life programs branch, rather than william’s works. After that, my intent is to introduce it as a part of an Independence Day newsletter this year. However, even though that has not all transpired yet, I can still ask myself the question . . . what would Jesus have me do?

Submission to Governing Authorities

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Romans 13:1 NIV

“Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”  Romans 13:1 NIV

While these two quotes from Scripture are Paul speaking, Jesus intimates in what He says, and does, that unless something is in direct contradiction to what God tells us to do, or not do, I should indeed obey authorities. So, this solidifies I should be listening to, and practicing, what the experts are saying to do.   

Sharing (Not Hoarding)

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”  Luke 3:11 NIV

Again this is someone (John the Baptist) other than Jesus speaking. I did not take the time to find where Jesus says the exact same thing in one of the other Gospels. It seems reasonable Jesus would have me gather in enough to obey the experts stay home mandate. But if I am hoarding to the detriment of others, or know someone who has none of what I have several of, I think I am supposed to share, even if there is a chance it might leave me a little short. 

Judging Others

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1 NIV

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38

It is easy to see the flaws in the politicians I do not like, and overlook the ones in those who see things more my way. The same applies to everyone else who crosses my path. But, I should not be passing judgment on anyone. We are all in the same boat, just struggling to find our way, complete with our own flaws, failings, and misperceptions. I thinks Jesus would have me cut everybody some slack in these trying times, and even well beyond them . . . like the rest of my life. 

Forgiveness

Jesus admonition to forgive, and His actions of forgiveness, abound in Scripture. The Lord’s Prayer (Mathew 6:12, Luke 11:14) I recite with others whenever I go to church, and often elsewhere, has the line “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Every time I say that prayer, I am asking God to treat me exactly how I treat others. I think Jesus would expect me to get better at forgiving others especially now, when stress and fear abound. And, I think He would like me to learn to forgive myself more when I try, but fail to live up to all I think Jesus would have me do. 

Be well. Hang in there. 

_____________

General Notes: My computer is turned off at sundown on Friday (beginning of the original Sabbath) through sundown on Saturday, and depending how tired I am of working in front of a computer screen, often until very late on Sunday (end of the Lord's Day). Therefore, I typically do not see, nor have the opportunity to act on, reply to, or send, emails except on weekdays.  Plus, I normally only check emails once each weekday (after I exercise). Depending on when that happens, emails might not be seen until the next day (or Monday if sent on a Friday).  Please keep this in mind when deciding whether to email or phone. 

I am not on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media site. My online presence is the wsharing.com website. I encourage you to visit it. I added a “what is new” page, linked at the top of the home page, when I stopped sending notifications by email in 2017. As all of my work became part of the Teaching & Sharing Centers non-profit (william’s works branch), I resumed some “originating” emailing in 2018, but to a newly built list, so I know those on it still wish to be there. If you would like to be on the new email list, simply reply to my email address to request addition to (or removal from if you should change your mind later) william’s list 2018. 

Helping to identify or stop spam, and the misuse of your email address:

All emails from me clearly state the topic in the subject line, and will have this signature in the body of the letter. If there are any links, the complete URL is shown, and the reason for the link described in the text. If I am including any attachments, they will be mentioned and identified in the body of the letter as well. When mailing to my list, I always use the blind carbon copy (Bcc) line so your email address does not appear in the email. My address books are kept only in my computer and not online anywhere. I do not forward petitions, lists, or similar items that show addresses, as these can be bogus attempts by spammers, or hackers, to collect them. If you receive anything which states it is from me, but does not meet the above criteria, delete the email without clicking on any links or attachments. You might first forward it to me with “suspicious email” as the subject.  

If you add me to a list of yours, or whenever you are sending me an email going to multiple recipients, I would appreciate it if you would please use my wsharing.com@gmail.com email address. It is my most public address.    

“Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” - Peace Pilgrim

“You can show your love to others by not wishing that they should be better Christians.” - Francis of Assisi

“We must bear patiently not being good . . . and not being thought good.” - Francis of Assisi

www.wsharing.com

_____________

PDF Attachment

A Doctor On The Frontlines
Breaks Down How It’s Believed
That Most People Are Getting The Coronavirus

by Dane Rivera
March 30, 2020

The United States of America now leads the world in the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases — surpassing Wuhan, China, the origin of the virus, and Italy, the epicenter of the European outbreak. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy And Infectious Diseases (and America’s expert on all things coronavirus), has said that it’s “entirely conceivable” that over 1 million people will contract COVID-19, which would likely amount to roughly 100,000 deaths. As such, it’s a very real possibility that you or someone you know will contract COVID-19, which probably has you more than a little freaked out. We’re right there with you! 

Let’s remember the facts though, as of Sunday evening, March 29th, there were 722,289 cases of the coronavirus worldwide, with 33,984 deaths, and over 151,901 recovered cases, with many more hundreds of thousands on their way to recovery. This disease is certainly scary, but we will beat it and every day we’re finding out a little more about the virus. The more we know, the safer we’ll be. So turn off the TV, stop watching the insane daily press conferences, and beef up your coronavirus knowledge by listening to an expert.

No, we don’t mean us. We’re talking about the expertise of Dr. David Price of the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Dave is an ICU doctor who is on the frontlines at the center of the U.S. outbreak, at a hospital where 20% of New York state’s coronavirus cases are being treated.

Late last week, Dr. Dave shared everything he knows about the deadly virus in a recent online Q&A posted on Vimeo, and his wealth of firsthand knowledge will make even the most frightened amongst us breathe a sigh of relief. To put it in his, “when you know that the only way you’re going to get this disease is if your hands are dirty, and if you touch your face, and if you’re way too close to that person, that becomes incredibly liberating. All of a sudden the person at the store isn’t your enemy, they’re someone who is going through this with you.”

The full hour-long interview is worth a watch, but we gathered the most essential points so you could get back to binge-watching ten-year-old television shows. Here is everything you need to know about coronavirus, from how people are getting it and how you can keep you and your loved ones safe, to what to do if you already have it.

What are the symptoms for COVID-19?

This is one of the most common coronavirus-related questions and one of the most difficult to answer. Searching “what are the symptoms of the coronavirus?” might as well direct you to a GIF of someone shrugging. According to Dr. Dave, “Whatcommonly people have is fever, cough, and then sore throat… Your lungs will primarily be affected. 80% of people just don’t feel good, mild cough maybe a little headache.”

So while your paranoia and your stuffy nose and sudden diarrhea is alarming, take a breath, it’s probably not the coronavirus.

How do you get COVID-19?

“The overwhelming majority of people are getting this from physically touching someone who has this disease, or will develop it in the next one to two days, and then touching their face.” Dr. Dave repeatedly stresses in his video that we must all become “hand nazis.” Under no circumstance should we be touching our face if we’re out in public, so do whatever you have to do to make this your new favorite habit.

“The vast vast vast majority of COVID-19 transmission is droplet… A droplet — something that comes from the mouth — either goes onto your hand or falls onto a surface and then is very quickly taken up, touched, and then put on your face.”

So… you can’t get it from the air?

While it’s certainly possible, “The thought at this point is that you actually have to have very long sustained contact with someone… I’m talking about over fifteen to thirty minutes in an unprotected environment, meaning you’re in a very closed room without any type of mask.” This will likely put a lot of us at ease. It’s highly unlikely that we’re going to get this thing from picking up food from our favorite restaurant, or by saying “hi” to whoever is delivering your food.

How do we keep ourselves safe in public?

Again, don’t touch your face. “Know where your hands are and know that they’re clean at all times… Walk around with Purell… when I leave my apartment, everything that I see that I’m going to touch, I make sure I Purell first. When I leave my apartment door and I go to the elevator, it’s okay if I touch it with my hand, but then I Purell,” says Dr. Dave, stressing, “This is not a disease that we’re getting because someone is sick and then touched something, and then an entire community of 10 people get it because they touched it… it’s mostly from sustained contact with people who have COVID-19… keep your hands clean and you will not get this disease.”

But just because you have good hand discipline, doesn’t mean you’re above smart social distancing, “If you’re going to go to the grocery store, if you’re going to touch the cart — just clean the handle. If you go into the store and you see people around, don’t touch them… distance yourself. You don’t have to wait directly in line with somebody, you can stand a couple of feet back.”

Should I be wearing a mask?

Dr. Dave is all for wearing masks, but mostly because having a mask on your face is an easy way to train yourself now to touch it. So don’t hoard medical masks, donate your supply to your local hospital and tie a bandana around your face, bandit-style.

“You don’t need a medical mask. These masks that people are wearing are not preventing them from getting the disease… the general community has zero need for N95 masks.”

I’m still hanging out with my friends on the weekend…

What is wrong with you. Stop doing that. Please. Do you want us to be quarantined longer than April?!

“You have to shrink your social circle,” says Dr. Dave, “Find your isolation group, find your group of three people, four people, your family — and set boundaries. The people who are going to get this are people who maintain large social circles at this point.”

I’m a great social distancer… but what if my less responsible housemate gets it?

Despite the fact that a large majority of this virus’ spread comes from family transmission, according to Dr. Dave, “Simply being in the home with someone who has COVID-19 will not get you that disease.” However, please understand that even if you feel fine, you’ll essentially have to be quarantined for as long as the infected person in the event you’re an asymptomatic spreader.

“Isolate yourself from your family… if you’re able, have the person in a separate room… have the person who is sick have their own bathroom… if the person has to come out and interact with the family, this is the perfect indication for one medical mask for the person who is sick.”

What if I just have a cold?

Might as well play it safe, just so long as we’re all in quarantine. “I think if you have something that feels like a cold or you feel like you’re getting sick, take the precautions like you have COVID-19 for one to two days. If in one to two days you’re feeling much better and this is like the thousand other colds you’ve had in the past year… you don’t have COVID-19.”

How safe is interacting with take-out or grocery delivery people?

“I think it’s a reasonable idea to have the delivery person leave the food that they’re delivering to you outside your door. You can probably pick it up with a glove and open the bag and all the inside contents are fine. That’s an overabundance of caution, but it think it’s reasonable,” says Dr. Dave, adding, “What you don’t want to do is high-five the delivery man, you don’t want to shake the delivery man’s hand, you don’t want to pick up the plastic bag you’re getting… and have a huge long interaction with that bag… but if you follow the rules and everything you touch you just clean your hands, you will not get it.”

So it’s not just old people getting it?

No, so it’s time to stop acting like this is someone else’s problem. The way we beat this is by being responsible. “This disease affects everyone… 23-year-olds, 35-yearolds, 45-year-olds with zero medical problems are getting this disease, people like that are coming to the hospital, people like that are going on ventilators. There is a very evil narrative early in this disease that said that this is only a disease of old people and people that have hypertension and diabetes, that is not true… it hits the entire spectrum of ages.”

Okay, I have it, how do I keep the people isolating with me safe?

Keep your distance, from everyone. “If you have a vulnerable population in your family… you need to find another living arrangement for that patient or practice incredibly strict isolation of that family member.” It’s also not a bad idea to contact everyone you’ve seen up to two days before you first developed symptoms (see why social distancing is important?). Dr. Dave explains, “It’s likely that people who get this disease are shedding the disease one to two days before they have a fever… If you develop COVID-19 and have a fever, know who the people are in your life who you interact with over the prior 2-3 days and let them know.”

Should I get tested?

Look, we all want to get tested, especially those of us who still have to go to work or those of us who live with a vulnerable population. Unfortunately, even on a state level, we’re not really where we need to be in terms of testing availability. “It depends on the availability of testing in your community. If you have symptoms like the flu, it’s likely you have COVID-19,” but Dr. Dave is quick to clarify that even if you did get tested, when it comes to your treatment, “not a lot would change by knowing that test result.”

Should I go to the hospital?

Depends. If you think you might have COVID-19, absolutely don’t go to the hospital — you might be putting people at risk. Instead, call your health care provider (or your county’s public health office if you don’t have insurance) and await the next steps. In all likelihood, you’ll be able to self-treat at home, only those who are having trouble breathing should consider treatment at a hospital.

“If you’re feeling short of breath come to the hospital… it’s not, ‘I have a fever,’ it’s not ‘I think I have COVID-19,’ it’s not, “I can’t stop having these body aches,” it’s ‘I feel short of breath when I get up to go to the bathroom,’ those are the people who should come to the hospital and be evaluated.”

What’s this I’m hearing about Ibuprofen making symptoms worse?

This is a weird one, but it would appear that some early data suggests Ibuprofen is not an effective treatment — no one can say why yet. “There is really good data from Germany that there are worse outcomes and more inflammation from people who are using Ibuprofen. If you have a fever take acetaminophen.”

What are my chances of needing to go to the emergency room?

If you’re generally healthy and not an at-risk population, you’re likely going to get through this with little more than a handful of awful days. “Of the entire population of people who get COVID-19, about 10% need to go to the hospital because they get short of breath. Of the 10% who are coming to the hospital, about one to two to three percent of those are requiring admission to the ICU and should be put on a ventilator.”

What if I need to be put on a ventilator?

Don’t panic — it’s not the end. “The vast majority of people come off the ventilator… usually seven to ten days later. Going to the hospital is not a death sentence, it’s a safe place to be.”

Is there a chance of the coronavirus weakening?

It’s too soon to tell if warmer weather will have a strong effect on the coronavirus, but time is guaranteed to have an effect on this virus. It won’t be tomorrow, it won’t be next year, but according to Dr. Dave, “as it mutates it’s going to get milder and milder, five years from now you’re going to get coronavirus, this exact COVID-19, and it’s going to feel like a cold.” 

_____________
 

From: William Gibbons Jr
Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2020 3:11 PM
To: william's email list 2018
Subject: Masks, Prayer Day, Covid19 vs. Other Deaths Stats

Greetings to each of you,

Earlier in the week, I got a Mayo Clinic newsletter email which included a brief article about masks. Because there has been some confusion about masks, I thought I would forward it, but save it for Friday to see if anything else came in before doing so. Then I started thinking about how people are clamoring about getting back to "normal." But, much like the previous deep recession we dealt with not all that long ago, I began wondering how many people realize it was the previous "normal" that allowed this mess to begin with. Instead of asking when we can get back to normal, some different questions might be in order. Perhaps starting with, what was it about our prior "normal" that got us into this? Many other questions can follow that, but one of the very first that I usually ask is what is the spiritual component in this? Usually, the life we live today is based on the choices we made yesterday, and the expectations we have for tomorrow. Very few of us truly just live in the moment. That reminded me of Peace Pilgrim. Then I got a regular mail newsletter from the Right to Life of Michigan organization which had an interesting chart. After all that, yesterday I opened an email from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association inviting Christians to join in a special time of prayer. Since that is happening tonight, I woke up this morning thinking I needed this email to go today. 

Well here is the deal, to try to make this as simple to put together as possible in a short time (since this is also the day I prepare and upload a new picture of the week to my website), I am using the BGEA email as a forward. [That email will not appear in this online version because of its single event status.] Its details are at the bottom after everything else. Before that there will be a Peace Pilgrim excerpt, two Mayo Clinic links I thought might be good to share, and the RTL chart I scanned. That scan will also have updated numbers following it that I copied at around 2:00 a.m. this morning (which was a still working last night hour for me) from the mentioned website. 

Excerpt from
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words

CHAPTER 6: Solving Life’s Problems

“THE PURPOSE OF PROBLEMS is to push you toward obedience to God's laws, which are exact and cannot be changed. We have the free will to obey them or disobey them. Obedience will bring harmony, disobedience will bring you more problems.

Likewise, when societies get out of harmony, problems develop within the society. Collective problems. Their purpose is to push the whole society toward harmony. Individuals can discover that they can not only grow and learn through individual problem solving, they can learn and grow through collective problem solving. I often say I've run out of personal problems, then every once in a while a little one presents itself somewhere. But I hardly recognize it as a problem because it seems so insignificant. Actually, I want to do all my learning and growing now by helping to solve collective problems.

There was a time when I thought it was a nuisance to be confronted with a problem. I tried to get rid of it. I tried to get somebody else to solve it for me. But that time was long ago. It was a great day in my life when I discovered the wonderful purpose of problems. Yes, they have a wonderful purpose.

Some people wish for a life of no problems, but I would never wish such a life for any of you. What I wish for you is the great inner strength to solve your problems meaningfully and grow. Problems are learning and growing experiences. A life without problems would be a barren existence, without the opportunity for spiritual growth.”

Peace Pilgrim

Masks
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449

Vaccine Work
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859

RTL Scanned Excerpt

One caveat about abortion numbers. I learned last fall from family events that when a baby dies from natural causes in the womb, including miscarriages, the removal operation is shown medically on documents as an abortion. I brought this up with local RTL people who indicated there was no source available to separate the numbers from elective abortion. Still, about 75% would need to fall into the non-elective category to remove abortion from its position. My pro-life opinion is well known, and does not matter. God's opinion is the only one that counts in the big picture of things. My actual fascination with this chart was that the time period was fairly early in the Covid19 era. I wondered if it would climb the chart as the year progressed, and the numbers changed. And, they do change even while you are on the website. So, here is what things looked like around 2:00 a.m. 

For some reason, the second largest category of hunger was not among those I copied and pasted late last night. Perhaps it was on a separate page just like the Covid19 deaths were. I have no doubt it likely maintained its position in the chart.  

At any rate, I am not so convinced that I want to get back to yesterday's "normal" at all. 

We can do better than that.