QUESTIONING THE QUARANTINE
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS BALANCE THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS AND THE LIABILITIES OF THE LOCKDOWN?
Key Facts
The suicide hotline took 22 calls related to Covid-19 in February, but the next month that number soared to 1,800.[1]
In April, traffic on Pornhub, a website known for pornographic images and videos, was up by 22% compared with March.[2]
Alcoholic beverage sales rose by 55% in late March, when many states and public health officials urged residents to stay at home, compared to sales in 2019.[3]
36% of Americans told an American Psychiatric Association poll that the pandemic has had a serious impact on their mental health.[4]
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
Matthew 16:26 “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Mark 9:43 “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
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Application
As Americans do their best to sift through the concerns of COVID-19, questions of reopening spark fear for those troubled by the risk of another spike in infections. Many object to reopening as they worry it is too soon and will result in a dangerous increase in sickness. While this concern is valid, it is critical to recognize that putting the country on lockdown has its own ramifications, some of which are deadly.
The mental and physical health of the public have become striking concerns as the lockdown orders continue to extend. One study suggests that there may be as many as 75,000 “deaths of disparity” (that is suicide and substance abuse) relating to COVID-19 in the decade to come. [5] Many doctors and other professionals in the healthcare field have raised concerns about these potential dangers. Over 600 doctors signed a letter written to President Trump expressing their alarm “at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients.”[6] Their unease reaches beyond the present health considerations, projecting that these orders will likely result in incalculable future damage to the public health.
In addition, other physical threats have increased during the lockdown. Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, and the United States have noticed significant increases in reports of domestic violence since the COVID-19 outbreak. [7] Law enforcement also says they’ve seen a spike in the amount of child pornography cases during this pandemic. [8] Many of these children are groomed through the use of internet pornography which is more accessible than ever with children at home, online, and easily accessing free memberships to major pornographic cites advertised during the pandemic. These concerns should be in all of our discussions as we approach the ethical dilemma of when to reopen the United States.
Beyond the data that is already revealing negative repercussions of lockdown, one can reasonably expect that other damages have yet to be quantified. The changes to daily life pose additional threats that will likely become clearer as more time passes. Some of these problems could be missed doctor appointments and cancer screenings, health lapses due to overeating and a new sedentary lifestyle, and possibly raising divorce rates.
Lastly, as a result of this lockdown, many spiritual concerns have been recognized as people are living in seclusion from one another. Isolation can, and often does, result in spiritual trials for an individual. Proverbs 18:1 says, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Isolation is a major concern as many harmful behaviors can occur in our own homes, including pornography, drug and alcohol abuse, and even the perpetration of domestic abuse.
The importance of spiritual health shouldn’t be underemphasized. Mark 9:43 records Jesus using hyperbole to point out how enthusiastically Christians should flee from sin. This passage reveals the severity of sinfulness and its persistence in our lives. Jesus points out that there will be little eternal benefit to a man to have a functioning body if it is achieved at the expense of his soul. However, this emphasis on the spirit of a person does not mean that the physical body does not matter. The biblical letters even contain prayers for good health along with spiritual health (3 John 1:2). Physical and spiritual health are both of the utmost importance to believers. This means that Christians should not raise the importance of physical health to the detriment of spiritual health. A Christian should obey their calling to flee from sin and that which leads to sin in pornography, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide. As we recognize that this virus poses a threat to our physical bodies, we must also do all that we can to stay spiritually healthy.
Conclusion
When considering the topic of reopening society, Christians should address not only the primary effects of COVID-19 which result from the virus directly, but also the secondary effects which result from the quarantine. While every person wants to avoid another spike in COVID-19 cases, Christians must address the issue holistically, recognizing that the risks which the virus poses should not be the only consideration of whether to end the lockdown. Continuing the lockdown carries its own set of risks which need to be weighed against the risks of the virus. As Christians seek the spiritual and physical well-being of themselves and others, it is crucial to be informed about both the primary and secondary risks of COVID-19.
It is important that the spiritual, mental, and physical health concerns be considered as Christians address the question of when to reopen. Christians may come to different conclusions about how these facts and the Scriptures should be applied in this lockdown. We should allow people to disagree in good conscience and recognize the mutual Christian goal is for the holistic health of society. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:3-5).
[1] https://abc7.com/suicide-hotline-calls-coronavirus-covid19-los-angeles/6117099/
[3] https://news.usc.edu/168549/covid-19-alcohol-sales-abuse-stress-relapse-usc-experts/
[5] Study: Projected Deaths of Despair from COVID-19
[7] https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/double-pandemic-domestic-violence-age-covid-19