Covid America: How We Got to Where We Are and What Christians Can Do about It

A pandemic is more than an infectious disease that is widespread over the entire country as is the case with the COVID-19 coronavirus. It is arguably also the attitudes and behaviors of the population of the country toward that disease and their contribution to the disease’s spread or its containment. If containing the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States was simply a matter of implementing with the full cooperation of the public a number of measures that have in previous epidemics proven their effectiveness, we would have seen less cases, hospitalizations, and deaths than we are seeing now. However, the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths to date show that containment is not that simple in the United States. What has prevented the United States from responding effectively to the pandemic? 

In the original draft of this article I described in excruciating detail the reasons why containing the COVID-19 coronavirus has proven so difficult. I subsequently concluded that I was drawing attention away from the primary concern that I want to address in the article. What has prevented the United States from effectively responding to the pandemic has been to a large extent mismanagement of the response to COVID-19 at the federal, state, and local level. Yesterday it was reported that Pfizer offered to sell more COVID-19 vaccine to the United States. However, the Trump administration turned down the offer. Pfizer then sold the vaccine to other countries. As a consequence there will be a shortage of vaccine in the United State and efforts to vaccinate the population against the virus will be pushed back to the middle of next year. In a number of states governors have been slow to implement measures to contain the virus’ spread and to safeguard the public. Other state officials have sought to block the implementation of such measures. County sheriffs have refused to enforce state-mandated safety measures.

Federal, state, and local mismanagement have not been the only factor behind the ineffective response to the pandemic. A segment of the population that has chosen to believe the misinformation peddlers and conspiracy theory mongers over the health experts who has training in epidemiology and previous experience in dealing with the widespread occurrence of infectious diseases. Efforts to counter this inaccurate and false information and to educate the public about the COVID-19 coronavirus and the need for public health measures to contain its spread and mitigate its effects have been patchy and ineffectual.

A factor behind the United States’ ineffective response to COVID-19, which is the primary concern to which this article is addressed, is what may be described as serious defects in the American character Among these attitudes and behaviors are a callous disregard for the health, safety, and well-being of others; a willingness to take unnecessary risks rather than defer self-gratification, thereby jeopardizing not only one’s self but also others; an unwillingness to make the kinds of sacrifices that would keep the virus from spreading—wearing face masks, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary trips and on—the kinds of sacrifices that would ensure not only one’s own safety but the safety of others; a failure to see the connection between one’s own actions and the health, safety, and well-being of others; and a lack of a sense of social responsibility. These attitudes and behaviors belie the claim that the United States is a Christian nation. None of these attitudes and behaviors are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. They particularly concerning when they are exhibited by people who identify themselves as Christians, as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Whether it was God’s intention, I cannot say. The pandemic, however, has served to separate those who live their lives in accordance to the teachings of Jesus Christ and those who give lip service to Jesus Christ’ teachings but do not in practice follow his teachings. If anything can be learned from this time is how far the world has crept into the church, into our lives, and into our hearts.

The pandemic has exposed a number of self-identified Christians whose faith and life shows very little influence of our Lord and his teachings. Accepting lies as truth, spreading lies themselves, harboring resentment, nursing grudges, expressing hatred and animosity toward others, and ascribing evil motives to them has revealed the dire condition of these self-identified Christians’ hearts. Our Lord taught that it is from an evil heart that all kinds of evil come.

We all fall short. However, these individuals are not just falling short. They are persisting in their sinfulness and showing no sign of repentance. While I would hesitate at saying that they are reprobate, I would say that they are greatly endangering their souls. Faith in Jesus Christ does not confer license to sin with impunity. A living faith is manifest by repentance and a life of obedience to Jesus Christ. One cannot claim to love our Lord while failing to obey his commandments.

Our Lord sets a high standard by which we must live. The grace that God supplies is to enable us to live by that standard. It is not to make us rich, to provide us with houses, cars, swimming pools, and fat bank accounts. It is to help us become more loving, more kind, more generous, more forgiving, and more compassionate. It is to enable us to take an interest in the health, safety, and well-being of others and to act upon that interest.

Following him, our Lord, tells us is not a piece of cake. It entails sacrifice—serving others; doing good to those who do us evil; putting others before ourselves. It entails enduring in the face of the temptations and tribulations of this world.

During this pandemic pastors and teachers of US churches need to give more attention to our Lord’s teachings and to pointing out attitudes and behaviors inconsistent with his teachings. The Holy Spirit will work through their preaching and teaching to move hearts to repentance and greater obedience to our Lord’s commands. Pastors and teachers will also need immerse themselves more deeply in his teachings and to examine themselves as to where they fail to live in accordance with them and to set a wholesome example for their flocks. They too will need to repent and to amend their ways. They will also need to join with members of the congregation or class or small group in their charge to pray for grace for themselves and for their fellow Christians to live their lives more closely to our Lord’s teachings.

Christians can set an example for the other members of their communities. They can wear face masks, social distance, and follow the other recommended guidance for the prevention of the virus’ spread. They can seek the advice of the most knowledgeable health experts and put this advice into practice in their churches. They can educate themselves and the other members of their communities about the virus and the need for public health measures to contain its spread and mitigate its effects. They can encourage and support health care workers and their families. They can be champions for the vulnerable. They can help families and individuals impacted by the pandemic. If someone asks them why they are wearing a face mask, they can answer, “I am wearing this mask because Jesus loves you and I am showing his love for you.” Their answer may not satisfy that person. But it will be the truth.