ICYMI
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to do our best to keep you up to date with developments regarding COVID-19, quarantining, and everything relating to that. We also want to be a source of encouragement, joy, and inspiration to you!
This is our moment to shine, Rebelutionaries! We’ve been preparing for moments like this for years. Let’s step up and be an example of hope-filled wisdom, joy-filled-diligence, and present-even-while-long-distant community.
In case you missed it, here are a few articles we’ve already published regarding the coronavirus:
- Faith In The Face Of Coronavirus – Isabelle Ingalls
- 5 Things To Remember When The Coronavirus Cancels Your Life – Brett Harris
- What You Should Know About Covid-19 – Christopher Witmer
Okay, now on to the news!
BAD NEWS
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues grow:
- Globally:
- 240,119 total cases globally
- 9,819 deaths
- 84,962 recoveries
- In the U.S.:
- 11,274 in the U.S.
- 157 deaths
- 108 recoveries
Among these cases, U.S. representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Ben McAdams were the first two members of Congress who tested positive for COVID-19, according to Fox News.
Emergency Warning Signs of COVID-19:
- The CDC recommends that if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Bluish lips or face
GOOD NEWS
The good news is that our government is actually working together! According to Fox News, “President Trump on Wednesday signed the second coronavirus relief bill into law that provides paid sick leave, unemployment help and free testing to Americans, the White House announced” (see also Vox, WSJ).
According to Vox, the Bill provides:
- Free coronavirus testing: “Democratic leaders propose making coronavirus testing free to increase access by requiring private health insurers (plus government programs like Medicare and Medicaid) to cover the cost of testing, including emergency room visits and doctor fees. This will also cover Americans without insurance.”
- Emergency paid sick days: “The bill would give workers [10] days of paid sick leave to be available immediately during the coronavirus.”
- Emergency paid leave: “The bill would create a new federal emergency paid leave program for those … caring for a child due to coronavirus-related school closings.”
- Expanded unemployment insurance
- Expanding food security: “The bill would direct $1 billion to expanding access to programs like SNAP, WIC and the emergency food assistance program throughout the coronavirus pandemic.”
How to Avoid Touching Your Face: (The BBC)
Although it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid touching your face, there are a few ways you can help yourself quit the habit:
- Itch with the back of your forearm
- Wear glasses or sunglasses
- Keep your hands busy (fidget spinners, stress balls, hands clasped and across your lap)
Christ the Redeemer Lit Up
In a cool act of solidarity with countries affected by the coronavirus, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was lit up with all the flags and a few inspiring messages.
Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue lit up in solidarity with all the countries affected by the coronavirus crisis. https://t.co/m3IW3ZIoa6 pic.twitter.com/4A31F0aEh9
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2020
The Rabbit Rooms Digital Care Package
The Rabbit Room compiled a selection of “digital events” they hope will “help you retain peace, endurance, and even togetherness (though of the technological kind) in days that threaten chaos.”
The list includes live streams with Andy and Jill Gullahorn, a readalong with Andrew Peterson and his Wingfeather Saga, and a variety of other links to happy, comforting events.
Young People Need to Take COVID-19 Seriously!
While the vast majority of severe cases have been among the elderly, infirm, or those with autoimmune disease, young people are still liable to catch the virus and develop symptoms.
I came across this Twitter thread by 22-year-old Bjonda Haliti who tested positive for COVID-19. In the thread, she describes her experience from Day 1 up until yesterday. She rated her pain as 4 on a scale of 10 and that the first three days were the most difficult.
I’m 22 years old and I tested positive for COVID-19.
I’ve been debating on posting, but I want to share my experience especially with those around my age to help bring awareness, and to relieve any stress/anxiety some may have due to the pandemic.
— Bjonda Haliti (@baeonda) March 18, 2020
Day 1: It started with a mild DRY cough and a slightly sore throat. I was very tired that night.
— Bjonda Haliti (@baeonda) March 18, 2020
Day 2: I felt a lot of pressure in my head to the point I would have to cough softly to avoid the discomfort. That night, I experienced the chills and had a fever. One main symptom that stood out to me, my eyes physically hurt. They were tender and sore.
— Bjonda Haliti (@baeonda) March 18, 2020
Day 3: Energy levels VERY low, I only slept, and still ran fevers. At this point, my symptoms were: dry cough, migraine, fever, chills, some nausea. I decided to go to the doctors where I tested negative for the flu and strep.
— Bjonda Haliti (@baeonda) March 18, 2020
The doctor told me I probably just had an infection and prescribed me antibiotics and 800mg of ibuprofen. I made sure to stay extremely hydrated and stocked up on vitamins and probiotics. That night, I still ran a fever.
— Bjonda Haliti (@baeonda) March 18, 2020
She goes on to describe it day by day, finally was able to go to the doctor and get tested on day 5 and got the results as positive on day 10.
According to the CDC, 38% of patients hospitalized were ages 20-54 years old, and those cases admitted to an ICU, 12% were ages 20-44.
The Verge quoted, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases as saying, “Don’t get the attitude, ‘Well, I’m young, I’m invulnerable.’ You don’t want to put your loved ones at risk, particularly the ones who are elderly and the ones who have compromised conditions. We can’t do this without the young people cooperating. Please cooperate with us” (emphasis mine).
OUR Moment to shine
If you’re familiar with TheRebelution’s message at all, this may seem like a cliche, but we truly believe as young people we should live out 1 Timothy 4:12 to set an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, and in faith.
What does that look like in the midst of a pandemic? What does it look like to use our speech and our conduct to exemplify love and faith?
I would love to hear your ideas! What are some ways we can set an example in our speech and conduct during this time?
I would love to hear your thoughts. You can leave a comment either on Facebook or TheRebelution.com–wherever you’re watching this.
Maybe you want to write an article about it and submit it to TheRebelution? Or maybe you have other thoughts about life during COVID-19.
I would love to hear what you guys are doing to stay busy and stay sane. How many of you are at home? How many of you have both your parents home from work? What’s it like? What are you doing? What is a day in the life of COVID-19?
This is something interesting: Have any of YOU been diagnosed with COVID-19? What is your experience? Has it been mild? Has it been scary?
Have you guys been getting tested? Has that been difficult?
Anyways. I would love to hear your thoughts, if you have any, pop a comment below. If you have an article, submit it to [email protected].
