The stock market had its worst one-day point drop in history yesterday, falling nearly 1,200 points as worries about the coronavirus epidemic escalate. In light of the virus, companies are canceling business travel and corporate off-site events around the world and making plans for more employees to work remotely. Airlines say the epidemic could cost their industry as much as $100 billion.
The CDC has confirmed a coronavirus infection in a person in California who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19. This could be the first instance of community spread—the spread of an illness for which the source of the infection is unknown—in the US. It is also possible, however, that the patient was exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.
Churches are discussing ways to handle communion and worship service crowds in light of the virus and the flu. The US and Seoul have postponed joint military exercises as South Korea struggles to contain the virus. Hong Kong’s 800,000 students are studying online in the midst of a two-month school closure.
My first thoughts are for my wife, children, and grandchildren. You feel the same way about your family. Next I think about my colleagues and friends. If any of them becomes sick with the virus, an objective news story would become very personal, very quickly.
It is the same with any other disease or disaster we read about in the news.
Reading LGBTQ books to children
As of this morning, 83,704 people worldwide have contracted the coronavirus, with 2,859 deaths. The CDC estimates that so far this season at least 29 million people in the US have contracted the flu, with 280,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths.
A single one of these deaths in my family would change our family forever.
The Human Rights Campaign is conducting a “National Day of School & Community Readings” at which books celebrating LGBTQ…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.