Introduction
Covid-19 has brought changes to our life so rapidly unlike any other in the past. Many which appeared as things for the remote future are now reality. With the surge of these rapid changes, the question of whether to wear a mask or not has become the symbol of massive confusion among the people, distrust against authorities, and polarization in our society. Unfortunately, it has not spared our church. There is just as much confusion, distrust, and polarization within the church as without the church. As we reopen our churches, this has become a major point of contention among the members.
This is an attempt to identify where the confusion is coming from, and thereby to see if there is a way to bring our fellow brothers and sisters out of polarization into unity.
Confusing Information
From the very beginning there have been many strange things that surrounded this present pandemic which have contributed to the subsequent confusion.
First, Covid-19 was advertised as being more transmissible and more deadly than average flu. Sure enough it has already affected and killed more people around the world than average flu. But, the case fatality rate, which was also estimated to be much higher initially, is now settling down to about par with average flu. Statistics in this country may be overinflated by financial incentives to medical institutions for labeling patients with the diagnosis of Covid-19. Some have even been diagnosed without a confirming test.
Second, it was feared that this virus, not only through the droplets from the infected individuals as with any other respiratory infection, could spread by micro aerosols across a long distance, as well as virus particles being picked up from surfaces of clothes, furniture, tabletops, etc. The validity of these possible modes of transmission is yet to be proved.
Third, for the reasons related to the modes of transmission as stated above, the mask was deemed useless initially, only to be strongly recommended later, and now mandated in many places.
So, we can see why people are massively confused. We have heard many reports that may or may not be true and some that have been proven to be untrue.
Basic misconception: Conspiracy Equals Hoax
Conflicting reports allowed people to believe what they want to believe. There are some, though not many, who believe this whole Covid-19 situation is a hoax, that it doesn’t even exist. Then, there are some on the opposite extreme who live in fear thinking this is such a deadly disease.
Among the Seventh-day Adventists with the great controversy worldview, there is a strong suspicion that Covid-19 was brought on intentionally by the powers that be in order to bring drastic social changes paving the way for Sunday legislation. They point out Anthony Fauci, a Jesuit, who has been researching specifically on Corona virus for many years, accurately made a prediction in 2017 such a pandemic would occur during Trump’s presidency.
I would have to agree that there is some validity to this suspicion. In any case, we all know that Satan is behind all this chaos, taking full advantage of it. But, that is not to say that Covid-19 is a hoax, that it is not real.
Whether Covid-19 is a result of conspiracy or not, the first thing we all have to agree is that Covid-19 is real. It is a real pandemic, capable of spreading through the respiratory route, and it is capable of killing many people.
Mask: A Proven and Powerful Tool against Respiratory Infection
Covid-19 is a pandemic. In order for an illness to become pandemic, it needs to be transmitted via the respiratory tract. Other modes of transmission are not effective enough for a virus or any other infective agent to cause a pandemic.
In spite of the flip-flop recommendations made by WHO and CDC with a resultant confusion, it has been well established for decades that wearing a mask is an essential part of preventing the spread of respiratory infections. No credible scientist would refute this established fact. It may not be 100% effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19 for the reasons related to possible different modes of transmission. But, it should reduce the risk to a significant degree, as the droplets are the most obvious mode of transmission.
Yes, there are some “scientists” from such places as Harvard that speak against wearing a mask for Covid-19, referencing to some individuals that cannot tolerate wearing a mask. I fully realize that there are individuals that do not tolerate a mask from some physiologic, or more often psychological, reasons, they are the exceptions rather than the rule. It is not wise to make up a policy based on exceptions. Otherwise, we would make up all manner of irrational policies such as that no one should drive, as there is a small chance one can get killed while driving.
What about the Constitutional Rights?
Many argue that mandating mask wearing encroaches on our constitutional rights. They argue that one should have a freedom of deciding what they do to their own health. This is very true and I respect that right. But, do we have the right to expose our fellow brothers and sisters to the risk of infection by not wearing a mask? We may be unknowingly spread the illness to others by not wearing a mask. It then becomes more of an ethical question than the question of one’s right. We need to ask, what is a Christian thing to do?
Transmission During the Incubation Period
To some it is a crucial matter to know whether one becomes infective with Covid-19 virus before he/she becomes symptomatic. Here again, there are some different reports contributing to the confusion. If Covid-19 is transmissible before the symptoms appear, as some authorities say it is, it is not unique. Many infections, such as AIDS for instance, can be transmitted long before one becomes symptomatic.
Even if we may not trust everything that the authorities say, we all have to agree that there is at least some, perhaps good, chance that Covid-19 is transmissible during the incubation period. In other words we may be spreading the illness to others without knowing it. In this pandemic situation, what is the right thing to do, knowing many infections can spread during the incubation period?
Faith vs. Presumption
Do we show a lack of faith by wearing a mask? Do we show we are living in fear if we wash our hands frequently and keep social distance during pandemic, as the civil authorities recommend? There are some church members that are very opposed to following these practices.
What does the Scripture say about how to handle infectious diseases? Thousands of years before it was discovered that the germs were the cause of infections, the Bible had detailed instructions on how to handle infectious diseases. Leviticus 13:4-6 describes a quarantine for suspected leprosy and isolation for proven leprosy. Leviticus 15:1-12 gives instructions regarding body discharges, and that they are to be handled as if they are all infective. Numbers 19:11, 12 has the protocol for thorough washing of garments and body for the person who touched a dead body. Hand washing and social distancing are all consistent with the Scriptures not only for proven cases but also for possible cases of infection.
God protects us, but only when we do the part He instructs us to do.
What human power can do divine power is not summoned to do. God does not dispense with man’s aid. He strengthens him, co-operating with him as he uses the powers and capabilities given him” (Desires of Ages 535.3).
We are counseled to live healthful life in obedience to God’s law of health. We are given instructions how to handle the infectious diseases. We are to love our fellow men by minimizing the risk of inadvertently transmitting illness to them. Only then God’s promise is fulfilled. “I will put none of these diseases upon thee.” (Exodus 15:26)
When Are We to Resist the Civil Authorities?
Some argue that these mandates imposed by civil authorities will eventually lead to the enforcement of the Sunday observance, and that ever-increasing compliance with the government on these matters will gradually blind us towards compromising on real issues. Even though we recognize pestilences such as Covid-19 will play a major role in the false accusation of the Sabbath keepers by the world in the near future, we are not to borrow the problems from the future.
E.G. White counsels us,
“We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty to our country and its laws. We are not required to defy authorities. There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors; but let not this time be hastened by unadvised movements that stir up animosity and strife.” (6T 394.2)
“The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries.” (6T395.1)
Even when the initial Sunday law is legislated, we are counseled not to be unnecessarily defiant.
“We should not feel it enjoined upon us to irritate our neighbors who idolize Sunday by making determined efforts to bring labor on that day before them purposely to exhibit an independence. Our sisters need not select Sunday as the day to exhibit their washing.” Selected Messages 3:399
We are to “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17) until the decree by the civil authorities directly opposes the God’s command. Then, “we ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
The Principle: Thus Saith the Lord
As stated at the beginning, there are so many conflicting reports, advises, and opinions, that it is up to individuals to pick and choose the ones they like. Even within our church, the views are widely spread and divided. Unless we go back to the basics and agree on following the principle of our decision making, we cannot hope in coming into an agreement. And that principle is, just as with any other issues that have divided our church in the past and present, whether going by “thus saith the Lord” or going by man’s wisdom.
In this time of confusion, it is imperative that we all seek what the divine counsel says. Amazingly, we have been given specific instructions for the situations such as we are facing right now. Both the Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy are clear on this matter.
We Christians, particularly the Seventh-day Adventist Christians, should be responsible citizens in minimizing the risk of spreading the infection to our fellowmen, not only from the viewpoint of some basic medical facts, but from the viewpoint of Christ-like love to our fellowmen, even though it requires some discomfort and sacrifice to us. May we all remember how much discomfort and sacrifice Christ endured for our salvation.
Eiji Minami, MD
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Fulcrum7.