The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.

What is the federal government’s public health response to COVID-19?

On Jan. 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a nationwide Public Health Emergency in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the virus that causes COVID-19. Since then, various agencies of the U.S. government have begun working on a public health response. And on March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a National Emergency concerning the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Listed below are the primary agencies responsible for addressing this public health crisis at the federal level.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the nation’s health protection agency. The role of the CDC is to conduct critical science and provide health information to both protect the United States against dangerous health threats and respond when such threats arise.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique threat, there is an abundance of pandemic guidance developed in anticipation of an influenza pandemic that is being adapted for the novel coronavirus.

In January, the CDC established both a COVID-19 Incident Management System and activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the COVID-19 response. The CDC is currently studying the virus, both in the U.S. and across the globe, and helping communities respond locally.

This Week at the ERLC

Jason Thacker is at Radical.net with an article on thinking biblically about privacy.

We are offering our ERLC Academy Introduction to Ethics classes for free online.

Helpful Resources On COVID-19

What You Need to Know

The big moments in our lives are often associated with our memories of those moments, how we interpreted what was going on, and ultimately what we believed God was doing. What kind of memories are you building, even now, for your children and loved ones about the coronavirus outbreak of 2020? Thirty years from now, my prayer is they will they speak of things like more family time, serving others, and most importantly, hearing about the love and goodness of Christ.

Biblical discernment is the skill of understanding and applying God’s Word with the aid of the Holy Spirit to separate truth from error and right from wrong. Biblical discernment is therefore not only a habit needed to develop a biblical worldview, it is a primary reason for developing a biblical worldview and has the practical effect of helping us to live.

In order to help pass the time, I asked the ERLC team for a few of their favorite book recommendations to encourage and edify you during this unpredictable season. The list is below, along with links to grab them online so that you don’t have to brave the crowds or possibly expose yourself to the virus. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it is a good starting point, whether you’re an avid reader or haven’t picked up a book in years.

News From Capitol Hill

As the country confronts this new coronavirus reality, Jeff Pickering visited United States Sen. James Lankford in his Washington, D.C., office to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s ongoing response to this rapidly developing situation.

On March 16, President Trump, alongside the White House and CDC’s Coronavirus Task Force, released recommendations giving the country 15 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD. Among the guidance is a call to avoid discretionary travel, avoid groups of more than 10 people, use only takeout and delivery from restaurants, and only go to work if you are in an essential industry.

When asked what someone who is concerned should say to their family and friends who are not taking this threat as seriously, Sen. Lankford counseled that this is a way to serve your neighbor, “to live in some ways separate for a period of time. People who are young and healthy may not know they have it but they can pass it onto a more vulnerable population.”

Lankford continued:

“We’ve seen in Italy, South Korea, and China a huge spike in cases. We’re just trying to flatten that curve out. We know we’re going to have an increase (of cases in the U.S.), but we’re trying to decrease the increase so fewer people get it. If you’re older or in a vulnerable population, smoker, lung issues, heart issues, diabetic, for those folks, it’s really dangerous. This is like a pneumonia that sets in on them that is really dangerous and, for some, it’s deadly. So let's pay attention to how we can serve our neighbors. For those who are homebound or isolated, we can take food to them, we can call and check on them, and care for their mental health. And we can also try to stay away from those folks who are most at risk, even if you’re healthy because you don’t know if you're a carrier of this because most folks won’t feel the effect.”

The interview also covered the economic impact on millions of people as America shuts down for social distancing.

Listen to this week’s episode here: Senator James Lankford on the coronavirus, the government’s response, and how Christians can confront this pandemic.

Featured Podcasts

On The ERLC Podcast, Josh Wester, Lindsay Nicolet, and Brent Leatherwood talk about coronavirus and quarantines, the latest in the Democratic primary, and some good news to end your week. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Scott James, an infectious disease specialist, for a conversation about coronavirus and his new children’s book. Listen here.

On The Way Home, Dan Darling talks to his colleague Julie Masson and her husband, Jesse, about some of the new challenges and realities many are facing or will face because of COVID-19. The Massons are parents to three kids. Julie works from home and serves as the marketing director for the ERLC. Jesse is a counselor at My Counselor Online in Kansas City, Missouri. Listen here.

From The Public Square

Churches respond to needs in COVID-19 crisis
Tess Schoonhoven, Baptist Press

With many families unable to maintain proper childcare in light of schools shutting down, college students without a place to live and insecure communities without essential household items, churches are stepping in to bring practical aid.

How Christian Colleges Have Been Revising Student Handbooks Since Obergefell
Liam Adams, Christianity Today

Schools wrestle with best ways to serve LGBT students, stay true to traditional teachings.

Should churches submit to government demands to shut down services?
Bruce Ashford, LifeWay Voices

By the time the executive order was announced, my church and many other churches had already decided to cancel services. But what about other churches who had determined to meet? Should they hold services anyway, engage in an act of civil disobedience, and use Bible passages to justify doing so?

Coronavirus and Our Sacred Duty to Senior Citizens
David French, The Dispatch

Protecting your parents, your grandparents, and your vulnerable neighbor is your moral duty.