PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): A BIBLICAL PERPECTIVE BY DANIEL, NANBOL LISTICK HONOURABLE MEMBER OF PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH WRITTEN 26TH MARCH, 2020

Reference Texts: Proverb 3:7-8, Leviticus 13, Leviticus 15, Numbers 19:14-19, Isaiah 9: 1-7 Deuteronomy 23: 10-13, Romans 13,

Definition of the acronym COVID 19
“Co” means corona
“Vi” means virus
“D” means Disease
“19” means the year 2019

The Holy Scriptures “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7–8).

Introduction: The global pandemic of COVID-19 is no longer new information to the Church nevertheless there is need to continually acquire additional knowledge and insight to enable us propagate holistic gospel. We are all aware that the first outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease started in Wuhan city of China in December, 2019 and was recognized as a pandemic by World Health Organization. Global statistics of coronavirus cases on 25th March, 2020 was 468,644 with total death of 21,191 and recovered was 114,218. Active cases stood at 333,235 with currently infected patients to be 318,506 (96%) in mild condition and 14,733 (4%) serious or critical condition. China has the highest number of cases which stood at 81,285 followed by Italy 74,386 then USA 65,797. The disease statistic in Nigeria on the aforementioned date was 51 cases. Nigeria recorded one death and two people have recovered from the disease. Nigeria has 48 active cases recorded as mild.

Biblical Background: It used to be thought that all disease epidemics and pandemics were an act of God; some people still think this way in certain cultures. With increase in divine knowledge, causal relationships became better understood. Instead of an epidemic or pandemic always being regarded as some kind of divine judgment, medical knowledge given by God began to focus on natural causes. Once a cause was understood, then systems of control and treatment could be activated. The result was a major advance in disease management, and with it, better health and longevity.

Some 3,500 years ago, as the people of Israel came out of Egypt and began their 40 years of wanderings, God gave them, among other things, laws of health and hygiene. They were intended as a model for all peoples including our generation. For example, in Leviticus 13 God provided instruction concerning lepers: they were to be quarantined. Other principles God revealed include personal hygiene (Leviticus 15) and community sanitation (Deuteronomy 23:10–13). It is generally acknowledged that when these principles were applied to the Black Death, a serious disease that killed a great many people in Africa, Asia and Europe in fourteenth century they contributed to saving millions of lives. Likewise, today, this Biblical principle when applied will save many millions of lives against COVID-19.

*Transmission*: Because the first cases of the COVID-19 disease were linked to direct exposure to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market of Wuhan, the animal-to-human transmission was presumed as the main mechanism. Nevertheless, subsequent cases were not associated with this exposure mechanism. Therefore, it has been established that the virus can be transmitted from human-to-human, and symptomatic people are the most frequent source of COVID-19 spread. The possibility of transmission before symptoms develop seems to be infrequent, although it cannot be excluded. Moreover, individuals who remain asymptomatic could transmit the virus. 

As with other respiratory pathogens, including flu and rhinovirus, the transmission is believed to occur through contact with respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Aerosol transmission is also possible in case of protracted exposure to elevated aerosol concentrations in closed spaces. The spread, in fact, is primarily limited to family members, healthcare professionals, and other close contacts.

*Symptoms of COVID-19*: The incubation time of COVID-19 could be generally within 3 to 7 days and up to 2 weeks. Symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, difficulty breathing (severe cases).

*Clinical prognosis/ Diagnosis and Laboratory Investigation*: Symptoms could serve as prognosis. Laboratory investigation include rapid serology test and Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for molecular assay. Christian Scientists are aware that the first genetic experiment is found in Genesis 30. Jacob and Laban. Today, we are using advanced techniques to detect genes of organisms that cannot be seen with our naked eyes.

*Treatment*: There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19, and no vaccine is currently available as at time of this sensitization to the Church. The treatment is symptomatic. Oxygen therapy represents the major treatment intervention for patients with severe infection. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary in cases of respiratory failure refractory to oxygen therapy, whereas hemodynamic support is essential for managing septic shock. Considering the recent fact that there is no specific treatment for COVID-19, several approaches have been proposed such as lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg every 12 hours), chloroquine (500 mg every 12 hours), and hydroxychloroquine (200 mg every 12 hours). Alpha-interferon (e.g., 5 million units by aerosol inhalation twice per day) is also used.

*Prevention*: The emphasis on preventive measures are the current strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Biblical Laws of Health and hygiene gave insight on preventive measures most especially isolation. Strict personal hygiene measures are necessary for the prevention and control of this infection. A few are listed below:
• Droplet, contact, and airborne precautions should be adopted during specimen collection, and sputum induction should be avoided by Medical Laboratory personnel and other health workers.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after contact with infected people or environment of infected people, after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren’t clean.
• Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
• Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
• People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
• Individuals that are immunocompromised should avoid public gatherings. If an immunocompromised individual must be in a closed space with multiple individuals present, such as a meeting in a small room; masks, gloves, and personal hygiene with antiseptic soap should be undertaken by those in close contact with the individual. In addition, prior room cleaning with antiseptic agents should be undertaken and performed before exposure. However, considering the danger involved to these individuals, exposure should be avoided unless a meeting, group event, etc. is a true emergency.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick or and came back from high risk countries.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.
• Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care. Avoid taking public transportation if you’re sick.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs.

*Myths Vs Facts about COVID-19*: There’s a lot of information circulating about COVID-19 because it is new disease as at the time of this sensitization, so it’s important to know what’s true and what’s not. Medical Scientists are working hard to clarify myths. These facts below are in line with Biblical principles that will help keep the Church healthy and safe. A few myths Vs facts are:
1. There is vaccine to prevent and or cure COVID-19: There is no vaccine for the new coronavirus right now. Scientists have already begun working on one, but developing a vaccine that is safe and effective in human beings will take many months.
2. Protection from COVID-19 is by swallowing or gargling with bleach, taking acetic acid or steroids, or using essential oils, salt water, alcohol or other substances: None of these recommendations can protect the Church from getting COVID-19, and some of these practices may be dangerous. The best ways of protection have been enumerated above.
3. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over body can kill the coronavirus: This is big no. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
4. Regularly rinsing nose with saline (salt water) help prevent infection with coronavirus: This is another big no. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with coronavirus.
5. Eating garlic can prevent coronavirus infection: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from coronavirus infection.
6. The new coronavirus was deliberately created or released by people: Viruses can change over time (mutate). Occasionally, a disease outbreak happens when a virus that is common in an animal such as pig, bat, rodent or bird undergoes changes and passes to humans. This is likely how the new coronavirus came to be not that it was deliberately created or released by Scientists or Military Force as a means of testing bioweapon.
7. Ordering or buying products from high risk States in Nigeria and or high risks countries will make a person sick: This is false. As of the time of this awareness to the Church, Scientists note that most viruses like this one do not stay alive for very long on surfaces for over ten hours, so it is not likely to get COVID-19 from a package that was in transit for days or weeks. The illness is transmitted by droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough, but more information is emerging daily.
8. A face mask is recommended for people with COVID-19: This is TRUE. People with a respiratory illness can wear these masks to lessen their chance of infecting others. Bear in mind that stocking up on masks makes fewer available for sick patients and health care workers who need them.
9. COVID-19 virus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot climate: From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
10. Cold weather and snow can kill coronavirus: There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. Preventive measures remain the most effective way against COVID-19.
11. Taking a hot bath can prevent COVID-19: Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.
12. Hand dryers can kill COVID-19: This is big no. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the COVID-19.
13. Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill COVID-19: UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
14. COVID-19 can be transmitted through mosquito bites: To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that COVID-19 could be transmitted by mosquitoes. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
15. COVID-19 affect only older people: People of all ages can be infected by coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

*Conclusion*: The Church is a very influential community and Institution in Plateau State and Nigeria at large, it is important for the Church to fight against COVID-19 in all its ramifications. The Church must pray. Church Leaders needs additional knowledge on COVID-19 to share with brethren to guide against heresy. The Church should not stigmatize people of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. The church should practice modern community sanitation (Deuteronomy 23), practice regular hand wash (Leviticus 15:) as preventive measures against COVID19, practice personal hygiene (Leviticus 15), practice social distance and obey authority when it is not against our faith (Romans 13). Brethren should undergo self-isolation when the need arises. The Church and its welfare unit should continually play their roles in minimizing if possible, eradicate the transmission of infectious diseases in our community.

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Preventive Measures of Coronavirus: A Biblical Perspective by Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick