So, how are we to respond to the Swine Flu scare. Is it a genuine pandemic or the result of the media over-reacting. Here is the Dallas-Fort Worth community we see both poles being acted out. The Fort Worth ISD has cancelled classes district-wide until mid-May. May Fest, an annual outdoor art festival, has been cancelled. The Dallas ISD on the other hand has closed one school and things seemed to be pretty much going on as normal on the east side of the Metroplex.
I noticed little difference yesterday as I made my rounds as a hospital chaplain. Most the facilities had signs requesting that those who were sick (cough, fever, etc.), should refrain from visiting patients. When I asked if there was anything I especially needed to be doing I was told, "no." The general response from the medical professionals seemed to be, "business as usual." One even noted that we should be more concerned about MRSA staph infection. I visited three families yesterday who had loved ones in ICU with the it. From my perspective the Swine Flu is just another strain of "the flu." MRSA is serious stuff.
So, how do we respond when our children ask? I would try to be reassuring, don't panic or over-react. Try to maintain your normal routine as much as possible. Use this opportunity to talk about the need to wash and sanitize your hands several times a day. It's also an excellent time to talk about our sinful nature. The infection and viruses that plague us are all a result of our sin and the fact that our bodies are imperfect. God's and His unconditional love are the only perfect things. We can count on that. God has got us through difficult times before and if this is indeed becomes a pandemic, He will get us through it as well.
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