A Message from the Medical Missionary Director of the General Conference
March 15, 2020
Dear Brethren of our World Church,
Greetings with Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Concern over the rapid spread of Covid-19 is rocking our world! We find comfort in the words of inspiration:
“If we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence if we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of Jesus and holy angels.”—Historical Sketches, p. 155.
Sister White states: “In the last scenes of this earth’s history, war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague, and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood. We should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has gone to preparefor them that love Him. There is a rest from earth’s conflict.”—Maranatha, p. 174.
The General Conference Medical Department wishes to encourage every member of our world church to make the necessary preparations for the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The signs of the times show that His coming is near. The closing scenes will be rapid ones. Let us not neglect to make the necessary preparations to be ready and waiting for our Lord. Let Jesus Christ be our source of hope, peace, and health.
As countries around the world declare a national emergency over the Covid-19 virus it is a “wake- -upcall” for us to discern the times in which we are living. This condition has already had a global impact,and more catastrophes are yet to come that will affect every aspect of our lives. There will be serious implications to each one of us on this planet–physical, social, economic and spiritual.
My dear fellow believer in Christ, we want each of you to know that no matter where you live in this world, we are all in this together. No country or ethnicity is immune to the dangers of Covid-19. Wehave all been infected by a far more deadly virus called SIN. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift ofGod is eternal life through Christ Jesus Our Lord” (Romans. 6:23). From this Bible verse we see that we are not left in a hopeless condition but rather God provides a solution. As we experience the implications of Covid-19, let’s remember to pray for one another.
Practical Considerations
Here are some preventative tips to reduce the possibility of contracting or spreading viruses including Covid-19.
- Strengthen your ImmunityStrengthen your immunity by implementing the eight laws of health into your lifestyle. Eat a plant-based diet high in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables), little or no sugar, exercise daily, get adequate sunshine and sleep. Drink lots of water.“When our churches plant their feet firmly upon the principles of health reform and respect the physical [laws] which God hath instituted, they will stand where God will give them His grace and will make them influence for good upon the community in which they move.”—Manuscript Releases 16, p. 61.
- Stay away from large groups of people. Avoid public places where there’s close contact withothers.
- Seek to maintain a personal space of 2 meters from others. (Read 2 Cor. 6:17).
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently:
- Wet hands in running water.
- Apply enough soap to cover wet hands.
- Scrub all surfaces of the hands including the back of hands, between fingers and under nailsfor at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly with running water
- Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel. (UNICEF) (CDC)
- Additional key times to clean hands include:
- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After using the restroom
- Before eating or preparing food
- After contact with animals or pets
- Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance.
- Respiratory viruses and bacteria are spread via airborne droplets. This occurs when a person coughs or sneezes and the mucous becomes airborne. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or flexed elbow. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Use registered household disinfectants for all surface cleaning.If appropriate and/or disinfectants are difficult to purchase, use the following CDC approved home-made cleanser effective against Covid-19. This should be used only on appropriate surfaces.
Make a Surface Cleaning Solution:
4 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water or
4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
Mix and place in appropriate spray bottles.
How to Clean and Disinfect Surfaces:
Wear gloves while cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Discard gloves after each use.
Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
Use the warmest water temperature allowable for fabric for washing laundry
“In the study of hygiene, the earnest teacher will improve every opportunity to show the necessity of perfect cleanliness both in personal habits and in all one’s surroundings.”—Education, p. 200.
Recognize that valid information as well as much misinformation is being spread in various media forms. You can obtain more reliable information from your local health department and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath be proactive and notify your doctor, self- quarantine until you can be evaluated and advised. This is an act of love to protect others.
Be like Jesus! Seek to protect the immune-compromised, the elderly, and the weak. This is what our loving, caring Savior would do were He here on earth today. Share the love of Jesus.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:8). We should not fear as long as we maintain an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Our gospel is one of Hope and Love.
Yours in the Blessed Hope,
John H. Baer
Medical Missionary Department Director SDARM, General Conference
