covid 19 and words
I want to start by talking about COVID-19.
Hoosiers age 70 and older can register for a vaccine in Indiana by going to https://ourshot.in.gov, searching for a nearby vaccine clinic and selecting an appointment time. Appointments may also be made by calling 211 beginning Friday. Registering online was quick and easy. I’ve been told registering by phone is sometimes difficult because you may not get through – probably too many other people are calling at the same time. The state says a caregiver or loved one may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior. I am willing to be a loved one if you need help.
I strongly encourage each of you to get vaccinated as soon as possible. That’s a personal and private decision each of you has to make. The church will not bar anyone from attending regardless of your decision.
However, the sooner we can get COVID under control in Miami County the sooner we can resume church services. As long as Miami County is classified by the state as in the red we will cancel services. The best way for the county, state, nation and the world to get past COVID is for everyone to be vaccinated. There’s a theory about “herd immunity” out there, but the proponents of that theory can’t agree at what level of vaccination achieves herd immunity. Herd immunity isn’t the same as each and every person immune. It just means that if a non-immune person gets a disease it’s not going to spread fast. In addition, do you want to trust your health to everyone else who lives around you? You can’t even trust they will drive in a safe manner.
Speaking of herds, I want to address what happened on January 6. On January 6 a hostile mob stormed the Capital building and occupied it for about 1 hour with the purpose of halting what is normally a routine procedure of accepting the Electoral College results for the next president. My concern is what happens next? Was this the last dramatic act of a dwindling movement or the beginning of something more? What will happen on January 20th when Joe Biden is sworn in?
Words have consequences. We saw that on January 6, and we see that in our text we will be studying in this next week. Each of us should be careful about the words we speak or post or repost on social media. And we should hold our leaders to the consequences of the words they speak or post.
Pastor Richard