Links for updates on SARS-CoV-2, “COVID-19 virus,” or “coronavirus disease” pandemic

Here are some of the links for updates on the SARS-CoV-2, AKA “COVID-19 virus,” AKA “coronavirus disease” pandemic besides media resources:

“Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania” on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Pennsylvania Department of Health at https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Governor Tom Wolf at https://www.governor.pa.gov/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://www.coronavirus.gov/ [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

“Coronavirus Resource Center” on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ [accessed 30 MAR 2020]; and “Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)” on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html [accessed 30 MAR 2020].

National Institutes of Health (NIH) at https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus [accessed 21 MAR 2020].

World Health Organization (WHO) at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

Note: This is the least trustworthy resource since the publication by them of Chinese falsehoods on 14 JAN 2020:

“WHO risk assessment: To date, China has not reported any cases of infection among healthcare workers or contacts of the cases. Based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission. No additional cases have been detected since 3 January 2020 in China.”

This is not to be found in their Latest News releases, but under “Disease outbreak news” in the archived Emergencies preparedness, response “Novel Coronavirus – Thailand (ex-China)” (14 JAN 2020) on World Health Organization (WHO) at https://www.who.int/csr/don/14-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-thailand-ex-china/en [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

The WHO is now complicit in the international spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in the intervening two months since this release.

“WHO advice: Health authorities should work with travel, transport and tourism sectors to provide travelers with information to reduce the general risk of acute respiratory infections via travel health clinics, travel agencies, conveyance operators and at points of entry. WHO has provided interim guidance for novel coronaviruses. WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on Thailand based on the information currently available on this event.”

Source: Ibid.

With that huge caveat in mind, nevertheless, for information on other countries that you may be concerned about or praying for go to the daily “Situation reports” on World Health Organization at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

Note: A better source of first resort for such purposes would be on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. See links above. Notice the discrepancies between the WHO reports and the current data on Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.

John T. “Jack” Jeffery

Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel

Greentown, Pa

Updated: 30 MAR 2020

All Pennsylvanians have an important role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives. Here are resources to help you do your part.

Recommended Christian resources on SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 or coronavirus disease

FYI: Here are some recommended Christian resources on SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 or coronavirus disease. The listing is in chronological order.

John Piper, “Ask Pastor John Special Episode (interview): How Do We Make Sense of the Coronavirus?” (28 FEB 2020); audio (16:05) and transcript on desiring God at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-we-make-sense-of-the-coronavirus [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Colin Clark, “5 Prayer Requests from Behind the Coronavirus Curtain” (31 JAN 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prayer-requests-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Todd Wagner, “Should Christians Be Anxious About the Coronavirus” (3 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christians-anxious-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Akos Balogh, “Dear Christian, When The Pandemic Hits, This Is Our Time” (10 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dear-christian-when-the-pandemic-hits-this-is-our-time/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Alasdair Groves, “Anxiety, Waiting and the Coronavirus” (11 MAR 2020), on CCEF at https://www.ccef.org/anxiety-waiting-and-the-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Miguel Núñez, “The FAQs: Coronavirus Explained by an Infectious Disease Expert and Pastor” (11 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-we-know-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Andy Crouch, “Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A guide for Christian leaders” (12 MAR 2020), on The Praxis Journal at https://journal.praxislabs.org/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-26aaeb0396e3 [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Note: This was quoted, recommended and linked in Justin Taylor, “A Guide for Christian Leaders in the Time of Coronavirus” (12 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/a-guide-for-local-christian-leaders-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Wyatt Graham, “7 Personal Responses to the Coronavirus” (12 MAR 2020), on Wyatt Graham at http://wyattgraham.com/7-personal-responses-to-the-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Jesse Johnson, “Should churches meet during Coronavirus?” (12 MAR 2020), on the Cripplegate at https://thecripplegate.com/should-churches-meet-during-coronavirus/ [accessed 22 MAR 2020].

Jay Kim, “Taking Church Online in a Coronavirus Age” (12 MAR 2020), on The Gospel Coalition at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/church-online-coronavirus-age/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Jonathan Leeman, and Mark Dever, “Quick Take: What Should Churches Do About Coronavirus?” (12 MAR 2020), audio (4:53) on 9Marks at https://www.9marks.org/pastors-talk/quick-take-what-should-churches-do-about-coronavirus/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Tom Ascol, “Thinking Christianly about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)” (13 MAR 2020), on Founders Ministries at https://founders.org/2020/03/13/thinking-christianly-about-the-coronavirus-covid-19/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

*This is not on the coronavirus per se, but teaches an important aspect of doctrine very relevant to the times in which we live in an excerpt from a great sermon by one of my favorite theologians from days gone by.

Roger Nicole (10 DEC 1915 – 11 DEC 2010), “Superlative Optimism” (13 MAR 2020), on reformation21 at https://www.reformation21.org/blog/superlative-optimism [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Editor's Note: This address was originally delivered at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology in 1974. The present form has been adapted with permission from Our Sovereign God (Baker, 1977, pp. 147–153).”

Dane C. Ortlund, “8 Reminders in the Face of the Coronavirus Pandemic” (13 MAR 2020), on Crossway at https://www.crossway.org/articles/8-reminders-in-the-face-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ [accessed 14 MAR 2020].

Soli Deo Gloria,

John T. “Jack” Jeffery

Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel

Greentown, PA