The new stage of coronavirus: cancel everything

We have reached a new stage in the coronavirus COVID19, in which the call is to cancel in-person gatherings to the extent we can.  Medical historians have pointed out that, during the 1918 flu epidemic, cities that canceled events and closed schools had many fewer deaths than those that did not.  This supports the draconian steps that China, South Korea and Italy are taking to contain the epidemic.  It takes us from the "wash your hands" period to whole new phase, in which such major events as SouthxSouthwest are getting canceled and Harvard University is sending its students home with the instruction to stay there until the coast is clear.  And when that will be is anybody's guess.

Here are the major points I've identified in the articles I've read today:

1)    The situation is evolving quickly.  Just because we don’t see it around us, doesn’t mean COVID19 is not here.  In China the number of cases went from a few hundred to tens of thousands in a couple weeks.
2)    It is not “just like the flu.”  We don’t know what this virus can do, but it seems to be very deadly and especially for our older people and those with other illnesses – this describes many in our congregations and our communities.
3)    We have to contain germs – getting people to wash their hands, cough into their elbow, and refrain from shaking hands are key interventions at this point.
4)    We have to use “social distance” – that means, avoiding in-person gatherings.  At this point authorities are talking about “large” gatherings, but even small gatherings have the potential to unleash a chain of infection that can sweep a community.  Religious communities, because we gather with each other so much, are particularly vulnerable.  (See Dr. Kubersky's letter to the editor on the epidemic sweeping New Rochelle.)
5)    We have to get government to act to implement the social distancing as much as possible, as soon as possible.
6)    We have to get government to care for the vulnerable, those who will be unable to work, don’t have health insurance, and lack paid sick leave.  The strategy of social distance can only work if we find the way to include everyone. How can we ensure the safety of the homeless, the illegal immigrants, the people without health insurance or paid sick leave?

Here are two readings I found that sum up the situation and what we’re facing:

David Troy offering some explanations about the epidemic
Yascha Mounk, on why we should CANCEL EVERYTHING

We are in for a long, rough time, and we will need to find new ways to be in solidarity.  Not to mention, at some point we have to start talking about the ecological damage that is creating the conditions for new illnesses to emerge, what Dr. Robert Wallace calls "farming pathogens"!