Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Potential Flu Pandemic Requires Immediate Preparation
As president calls for immediate action for preparation and collaboration among government and private sector, Christians must prepare physically and spiritually
(CEN, Nov. 2) PHOENIX, Ariz. – Speaking from the National Institute of Health in Washington recently, President Bush outlined the national strategy in the event of an avian flu pandemic or other strains of influenza spreading across the nation.
To learn more, visit www.pandemicflu.gov and check for updates on the CEN website, www.christianemergencynetwork.org.
Medical experts report that vaccines currently available for seasonal flu are not responsive to the avian flu, which could lead to a pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen in nearly a century. “There is not a pandemic now,” said President Bush. But he added, “If we wait for the pandemic to occur, it will be too late to help.”
President Bush outlined a comprehensive strategy, asking Congress for .1 billion in emergency funding, for protection and prevention of an avian flu penetration in the U.S. as well as a global strategy to detect and report potential strains of bird flu which may mutate into human viral strains capable of taking thousands of lives worldwide.
President Bush called upon every American to act responsibly and take immediate steps should an outbreak occur, citing the fact that one human with an infection could affect thousands more, leading to countless deaths.
Citing historical pandemics, the President recalled the 1918 epidemic which killed 500,000 Americans and millions around the world, and flu epidemics in the U.S. in 1957 and 1968 which killed thousands.
While currently the avian flu is a bird-transmitted disease, the World Health Organization and U.S. health experts claim the U.S. is particularly vulnerable because our health infrastructure is not as updated as necessary.
Health experts point out that the flu could happen anywhere in the U.S. and could continue to infect people for a long as two years; as a result, Bush has called for the stockpiling of a variety of flu vaccines and has called for all 50 states to immediately submit their local and state readiness plans.
In response, Christian Emergency Network (CEN) CEO Mary Marr said, “Just as the president is calling Americans and communities to prepare for this potentially catastrophic event, CEN calls upon individual Christians, churches, ministries and denominations to ensure that they are ready – physically and spiritually. In this way, Christians will be positioned to demonstrate the basic biblical response of prayer-care-share.”
She continued, “These mounting challenges to our safety and security are why CEN has been calling for Christians nationwide to prepare personally for disasters. Christians need to plan now in case authorities call for voluntary or mandatory quarantines for several weeks. Whether or not a pandemic or epidemic impacts us, it is always responsible to prepare. As we see in the lives of Nehemiah, Joseph and other biblical personalities, good stewardship of our lives and resources includes preparation. If Christians, who are called to read and adhere to biblical principles, do not do so, we certainly are not setting an example that is pleasing to God. Hence, when others panic, we lose the chance to care for others, for we ourselves are not prepared. In that case, we are missing a critical opportunity to share the hope of Christ. For that reason alone, Christians must prepare.”
Marr continued, “I remember Larry Burkett in 1999 suggesting that having two months of supplies on hand before the year 2000 was a responsible, routine preparation because we were unsure what was going to take place with Y2K.”
She continued, “Previous generations learned the importance of being prepared. It used to be routine to keep extra supplies on hand. Today, we live much differently with supplies ostensibly as near as the closest store. We do not think of shortages or the possibility of hoarding as an irresponsible response. But we should. When people don’t prepare, they respond irresponsibly in times of disaster by hoarding. The Bible addresses this.”
“We learn from studying the life of Joseph that there is a clear difference between preparing and hoarding. Preparing is an accumulation of supplies when they are available; hoarding is getting more than your share when supplies are scarce.”
Marr added, “In addition to taking care of our own families, Jesus would have us prepare for others like Noah, so that when the time comes they ask us why we are in a position to give them aid. That is when people will be most receptive to hearing about Jesus as our motive.”
Regarding the potential of a medical crisis brought on by an influenza pandemic, Marr noted that the elderly, infirmed and young were most susceptible to disease. All people, she said, should check with their family physician or local health department to monitor recommendations of health care professionals. She added, “If you are a medical professional, contact your local health authorities to have your name posted on a local roster in the event of an outbreak.”
Marr pointed also to remarks made by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to the Associated Press. Chertoff told the AP, “For those people who say, ‘Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don’t have to prepare,’ there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what’s available to help those who can’t help themselves,” Chertoff said. “That is a matter of civic virtue.”
She concluded, “Remember God is in the warning, as we have seen from those given all throughout the Bible and even the hurricanes of 2005 and other disasters around the world. If Noah had not heeded warnings where would we be? We need to be ready to seize the opportunity to share our faith effectively through prayer, caring for those in need, and sensitively offering Christ.”
Related reading
To read the article, “When Storms Come, Should We Depend on Immediate Government Help: To rely upon government with scope of recent disasters is setting one’s self up for disappointment if not peril,” click here.
To learn more about the biblical response to disaster, click here.
To learn how to prepare a 72-hour emergency supply kit, visit www.cenkits.com.
Prayer
Because CEN’s ministry is focused on conveying the hope of Christ through a prayer-care-share message, Marr asked that Christians consider each of these prayer requests and following information.
* Pray for the president as he makes the U.S. pandemic strategy known so that others respond responsibly.
* Pray that Christians will take personal preparedness responsibility and also prepare for others so that they may win the hearts of seekers.
* Pray that Christians will remain calm and resolute in living out Christ, not only during preparation times such as now, but in the event of an outbreak.
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by praying, click here.
Care
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by showing care, click here.
Share
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by sharing your time, talents and treasure for the long run, click here.
Pray-Care-Share Inspiration
SCRIPTURE:“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
OUTLOOK:We look to You, Jehovah Jireh, for in You alone do we find protection and complete restoration and healing.
SONG: “I Am the God that Healeth Thee,” by Don Moen
© CEN, 2005 Permission?
For interviews with CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr, contact Judy Hannestad at 701-484-5028 judy.hannestad@cen911.com
Christian Emergency Network leads Christians to intelligently pray for, sensitively care for, and strategically share the gospel with victims involved in a national emergency.
If you are receiving this message because you've asked to get periodic correspondence from the Christian Emergency Network. If you desire to be removed from our email list, click here to unsubscribe yourself. Christian Emergency Network, 3434 Anthem Way, Suite 118, PMB 184, Anthem, Arizona 85086 ¶ 1:55 PM
As president calls for immediate action for preparation and collaboration among government and private sector, Christians must prepare physically and spiritually
(CEN, Nov. 2) PHOENIX, Ariz. – Speaking from the National Institute of Health in Washington recently, President Bush outlined the national strategy in the event of an avian flu pandemic or other strains of influenza spreading across the nation.
To learn more, visit www.pandemicflu.gov and check for updates on the CEN website, www.christianemergencynetwork.org.
Medical experts report that vaccines currently available for seasonal flu are not responsive to the avian flu, which could lead to a pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen in nearly a century. “There is not a pandemic now,” said President Bush. But he added, “If we wait for the pandemic to occur, it will be too late to help.”
President Bush outlined a comprehensive strategy, asking Congress for .1 billion in emergency funding, for protection and prevention of an avian flu penetration in the U.S. as well as a global strategy to detect and report potential strains of bird flu which may mutate into human viral strains capable of taking thousands of lives worldwide.
President Bush called upon every American to act responsibly and take immediate steps should an outbreak occur, citing the fact that one human with an infection could affect thousands more, leading to countless deaths.
Citing historical pandemics, the President recalled the 1918 epidemic which killed 500,000 Americans and millions around the world, and flu epidemics in the U.S. in 1957 and 1968 which killed thousands.
While currently the avian flu is a bird-transmitted disease, the World Health Organization and U.S. health experts claim the U.S. is particularly vulnerable because our health infrastructure is not as updated as necessary.
Health experts point out that the flu could happen anywhere in the U.S. and could continue to infect people for a long as two years; as a result, Bush has called for the stockpiling of a variety of flu vaccines and has called for all 50 states to immediately submit their local and state readiness plans.
In response, Christian Emergency Network (CEN) CEO Mary Marr said, “Just as the president is calling Americans and communities to prepare for this potentially catastrophic event, CEN calls upon individual Christians, churches, ministries and denominations to ensure that they are ready – physically and spiritually. In this way, Christians will be positioned to demonstrate the basic biblical response of prayer-care-share.”
She continued, “These mounting challenges to our safety and security are why CEN has been calling for Christians nationwide to prepare personally for disasters. Christians need to plan now in case authorities call for voluntary or mandatory quarantines for several weeks. Whether or not a pandemic or epidemic impacts us, it is always responsible to prepare. As we see in the lives of Nehemiah, Joseph and other biblical personalities, good stewardship of our lives and resources includes preparation. If Christians, who are called to read and adhere to biblical principles, do not do so, we certainly are not setting an example that is pleasing to God. Hence, when others panic, we lose the chance to care for others, for we ourselves are not prepared. In that case, we are missing a critical opportunity to share the hope of Christ. For that reason alone, Christians must prepare.”
Marr continued, “I remember Larry Burkett in 1999 suggesting that having two months of supplies on hand before the year 2000 was a responsible, routine preparation because we were unsure what was going to take place with Y2K.”
She continued, “Previous generations learned the importance of being prepared. It used to be routine to keep extra supplies on hand. Today, we live much differently with supplies ostensibly as near as the closest store. We do not think of shortages or the possibility of hoarding as an irresponsible response. But we should. When people don’t prepare, they respond irresponsibly in times of disaster by hoarding. The Bible addresses this.”
“We learn from studying the life of Joseph that there is a clear difference between preparing and hoarding. Preparing is an accumulation of supplies when they are available; hoarding is getting more than your share when supplies are scarce.”
Marr added, “In addition to taking care of our own families, Jesus would have us prepare for others like Noah, so that when the time comes they ask us why we are in a position to give them aid. That is when people will be most receptive to hearing about Jesus as our motive.”
Regarding the potential of a medical crisis brought on by an influenza pandemic, Marr noted that the elderly, infirmed and young were most susceptible to disease. All people, she said, should check with their family physician or local health department to monitor recommendations of health care professionals. She added, “If you are a medical professional, contact your local health authorities to have your name posted on a local roster in the event of an outbreak.”
Marr pointed also to remarks made by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to the Associated Press. Chertoff told the AP, “For those people who say, ‘Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don’t have to prepare,’ there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what’s available to help those who can’t help themselves,” Chertoff said. “That is a matter of civic virtue.”
She concluded, “Remember God is in the warning, as we have seen from those given all throughout the Bible and even the hurricanes of 2005 and other disasters around the world. If Noah had not heeded warnings where would we be? We need to be ready to seize the opportunity to share our faith effectively through prayer, caring for those in need, and sensitively offering Christ.”
Related reading
To read the article, “When Storms Come, Should We Depend on Immediate Government Help: To rely upon government with scope of recent disasters is setting one’s self up for disappointment if not peril,” click here.
To learn more about the biblical response to disaster, click here.
To learn how to prepare a 72-hour emergency supply kit, visit www.cenkits.com.
Prayer
Because CEN’s ministry is focused on conveying the hope of Christ through a prayer-care-share message, Marr asked that Christians consider each of these prayer requests and following information.
* Pray for the president as he makes the U.S. pandemic strategy known so that others respond responsibly.
* Pray that Christians will take personal preparedness responsibility and also prepare for others so that they may win the hearts of seekers.
* Pray that Christians will remain calm and resolute in living out Christ, not only during preparation times such as now, but in the event of an outbreak.
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by praying, click here.
Care
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by showing care, click here.
Share
To learn of additional ways to demonstrate the love of Christ by sharing your time, talents and treasure for the long run, click here.
Pray-Care-Share Inspiration
SCRIPTURE:“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
OUTLOOK:We look to You, Jehovah Jireh, for in You alone do we find protection and complete restoration and healing.
SONG: “I Am the God that Healeth Thee,” by Don Moen
© CEN, 2005 Permission?
For interviews with CEN Founder/Chairman Mary Marr, contact Judy Hannestad at 701-484-5028 judy.hannestad@cen911.com
Christian Emergency Network leads Christians to intelligently pray for, sensitively care for, and strategically share the gospel with victims involved in a national emergency.
If you are receiving this message because you've asked to get periodic correspondence from the Christian Emergency Network. If you desire to be removed from our email list, click here to unsubscribe yourself. Christian Emergency Network, 3434 Anthem Way, Suite 118, PMB 184, Anthem, Arizona 85086 ¶ 1:55 PM
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