“According to the Caregiver Action Network, more than 90 million Americans provide care to a loved one who has chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or is experiencing the fragilities of old age. These people are the most vulnerable to COVID-19” (The Epoch Times, June 11-17, 2020, p. C7). Add to this number is the elderly that are without family or those whose families have abandoned them to someone else’s care. According to the National Center for Health, in 2016 about 65,600 paid, regulated long-term care services providers in five major sectors served over 8.3 million people in the United States. According to the CDC, people over 65 years of age are more susceptible to COVID-19 than any other age group.
That means that 30 percent of Americans are in more danger of contracting the virus than any other age group. More than 5 percent of those over 65 live in nursing homes. Why are they more vulnerable, and are they being singled out to add to the statistics in order to frighten and control others? Is it really their age and health, or could it be that many have given up on life because of feelings of loneliness or uselessness? The threat of falling victim to COVID-19 has caused many in the “home of the brave” to grovel in fear, which only encourages those who would control this nation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many side effects unassociated with the virus itself. We are finding out that social separation is causing a great deal of problems with loneliness because of isolation. Lisbeth Nielsen, Ph.D., of the National Institute on Aging, has this to say about social distancing: “Human beings are social creatures. Our connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. Yet, as we age, many of us are alone more often than when we were younger, leaving us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness—and related health problems such as cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract these negative effects” (www.nia.nih.gov).
There have been many accusations of padding the number of COVID-19 cases to build up the fear factor among the populous. The CDC denies this and tries to explain it away. However, “the CDC advises that officials should report deaths in which the patient tested positive for COVID-19”—or, if a test isn’t available, “if the circumstances are compelling within a reasonable degree of certainty.” It further indicates that if a “definitive diagnosis cannot be made … but it is suspected or likely … it is acceptable to report COVID-19 on a death certificate as ‘probable’ or ‘presumed’” (www.fastcheck.org). Though there is no proof of fraud, this could be added to the false claims. One reason to encourage hospitals to fudge the numbers is that multiple sources report that hospitals receive $13,000 for each COVID-19 case treated and $39,000 for each COVID-19 case that results being placed onto a ventilator (i.e., www.factcheck.org). However, it has not been proven that fraud exists because of these payments.
Fear is the motivating factor in corralling people in a time of great stress, and the more fear, the easier it is to make people react like cattle. The Bible says 365 times “fear not.” The Bible tells us not to fear man. Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). This fear causes families to separate—to not have physical contact for months at a time—which is devasting to those who have been quarantined or hidden away in a nursing home or other government housing. Fear is the catalyst that initiates survival, the greatest instinct of man. Some leftist leaders in our government have been fearmongers ever since COVID-19 was first mentioned. The elderly who have been conveniently tucked away in some private or government housing are subject to early death because of their isolation and much needed warmth of another human.
Prior to the Great Depression, there were no government programs to take care of the elderly. It was generally left up to the extended family and friends. Today the care for the elderly has become a business—part of the private sector—with less and less participation by family and friends. They have been turned over to the “nanny state” to provide needs, all except what they really need—love and contact with family. Is this part of a satanic plan to demoralize and destroy this nation?
This calloused flaunting of God-given responsibilities must heat up the Lord’s anger; those who commit this sin are marked for retribution without repentance. The Apostle Paul warns Timothy “that in the last days perilous times shall come”, and one of the warning signs is those without “natural affection” (2 Tim. 3:1-3). “Without natural affection” is surely a prophetic sign that we are near the end. Those who are guilty of this are listed into groups that include “blasphemers, unholy, traitors, and lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” It seems that today, many elderly parents are put out of the way because they have become an inconvenience.
Social distancing is touted as one of the most effective ways to slow down the spread of COVID-19, but the isolation that is prescribed in many ways is more dangerous than the virus itself. There is no substitute for the strength that comes with the fellowship of a family member or friend.
In many states, even those in ICU are not allowed visitors. This could mean the difference between recovery or death. We know that the Lord is with us throughout life, but He gave us the family to encourage and strengthen us through life’s most challenging times. When government has the power to separate us from a dying family member, it has too much power.
When any government forbids Christians to meet, it is in danger of complete collapse. The cohesiveness of a church body is blessed and commanded by the Lord to support and encourage other saints to stand firm until He returns. This is the thought of the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 10:24–25: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” There is no person who needs more social contact and fellowship than that mother or father that has been stowed away either by convenience or necessity.
Social separation from loved ones is certainly one of the reasons that the elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19 (or any virus). According to the above report, social isolation is linked to other high risks of both physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. I think that it is reasonable to believe that COVID-19 mainly attacks those over 65 because this age group is the loneliest age group of any. Out of sight out of mind. COVID-19 is being used as an excuse for the elderly to be separated and forgotten.
God certainly had this in mind in Genesis 2:18 concerning Adam being the only human in existence: “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” This was not to mean that the woman was to be his slave, but rather a companion to share his life. Being separated from others is a lonely existence that has many turning to suicide or complete withdrawal for society.
“Just like a pandemic became a reality for the first time in more than a century, in a destructive ‘life imitating art imitating life’ way, news of suicides linked to the COVID-19 crisis have swept the globe and sadly show no signs of abating. … Older adults are sensitive to loneliness and isolation, as they depend on strong social support, especially during difficult times. Social contact in the community is now at a minimum with social distancing encouraged. The elderly have been especially advised to reduce their social contacts and remain homebound. The weakening of social networks disrupts normal social lives and feelings of worthlessness emerge” (www.scientificamerican.com).
“Trapped at home with their abusers, some domestic violence victims are already experiencing more frequent and extreme violence, said Katie Ray-Jones, the chief executive officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. … Some experts are concerned that students at home, especially those living in unstable environments or poverty, will miss more assignments. … High school students who miss at least three days a month are seven times more likely to drop out before graduating and, as a result, live nine years less than their peers” (www.reuters.com).
The collateral damage of COVID-19 management goes way beyond the illness itself. One of the greatest damages is to our way of life and damage to our communities. It is time for all right-thinking citizens of this country to become patriots, to rise up and say “enough is enough.” It is time to rise up and fight back.
