COVID Clinic St. Marks UMC
The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand (left) and her daughter Ashlee Hand monitor the line of people waiting to receive a COVID-19 vaccination during a clinic at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C. United Methodist churches have served as vaccination sites around the United States. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.)
A United Methodist Insight Column
How bad is the coronvirus surge in states with high rates of vaccination resistance? Here’s a snapshot of one state from the Texas Tribune’s Aug. 18 “The Brief” newsletter:
“The latest COVID-19 surge in Texas could be the worst one yet, according to health officials, who are warning that patients could overwhelm the state’s hospital system. Some numbers to put this surge into perspective:
- “More Texas hospitals are reporting a shortage of ICU beds than at any other time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state 18 months ago.
- “The state has asked the federal government for five mortuary trailers in anticipation of a potential spike in deaths.
- “In Dallas County on Monday, only 16 intensive care beds were available to serve the county of 2.6 million and its surrounding areas.
- “Last week in San Antonio, 26 minutes went by with no ambulances available to respond to 911 calls from the city’s 1.5 million residents.
- “In Austin, paramedics are so understaffed and overworked that some ambulances have to sit unused because there is no one to run them.”
And more sobering details from the Texas Tribune:
- “Polling: Sixty-six percent of Americans polled disapprove of governors stopping mask mandates, according to a new Ispos poll. (Houston Chronicle)
- “COVID-19: The number of children being admitted to San Antonio-area hospitals is rising, officials warn. (San Antonio Express News, $)”
Churches that were preparing to resume in-person or hybrid worship services at the beginning of the summer are now struggling to decide what to do.
In another example, rising COVID-19 cases caused the Holston Annual Conference leadership to change its planned in-person Annual Conference to a hybrid event on Aug. 27-28. "Tension in the Holston Conference office building was so evident yesterday (Aug. 18) that staff members gathered for afternoon prayer and a moment of 'holy breathing,'" reported conference communicator Annette Spence in an email. Read her story.
Beware wildfire smoke
As if the smoke from wildfires weren’t enough of a threat in itself, a new study has found that the smoke makes some people more vulnerable to COVID-19.
NPR reports: “Wildfire smoke produces high levels of tiny, harmful particulate matter, so-called PM 2.5, that can travel suspended in air thousands of miles away. Inhaling those particles can cause inflammation in the lungs and hurt the immune system’s response, making people more prone to severe respiratory infections. A new study found that wildfire smoke in California last year caused an extra 26,600 COVID-19 cases and 1,000 deaths. Hear more about the study or read about it.”
This report brings another concern for those seeking to return to in-person gatherings: it’s not air circulation, but air ventilation – the exchange of inside air for presumably fresher outside air – that makes a difference in the level of coronavirus hazard. Churches may have good air circulation, but if that air carries coronavirus, stirring it about only increases the possibility of infection. Most churches that have resumed in-person gatherings have trimmed their worship services to a maximum of 45 minutes to reduce indoor exposure per CDC guidelines.
Welcome Afghan refugees
Church World Service, the ecumenical refugee aid agency, is sending staff to Fort Lee, Va., to help process Afghan families that have already been evacuated, reports Mary Catherine Hinds, CWS senior director for fundraising.
"In a week, we will gather a team of volunteers to assemble 1,000 CWS Welcome Backpacks for refugees and asylum seekers," Ms. Hinds said in an email. "So far, supporters like you have donated enough to provide food and water for 819 backpacks. We need your help to fill the rest! "
Ms. Hinds said that as little as $15 will provide food and water for a backpack. Click here for more information or to donate.
Media Mentions as of August 19, 2021
Wildfires explode again in the West, fanned by turbulent winds – Washington Post*
For Christians in Haywood, care for creation is a biblical command | Religion | themountaineer.com The Mountaineer
United Methodist Church split over LGBTQ: Lewes church disaffiliates - The News Journal – The News Journal
Church helps children orphaned by volcano – United Methodist News Service
Nairobi church offers home care, hope to sick – United Methodist News Service
You can't think yourself out of racism': Black scholars of religion call for conversion – Religion News Service
The battle over CRT is a manufactured crisis. Here's why we still have to fight it. – Religion News Service
Federal judge rejects Trump-era permits for major Alaska oil project – Washington Post*
*Paid subscription required.
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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. "Crisis Watch" is part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of some 400 news outlets committed to enhance reporting on the worldwide climate crisis.