Even though the weather promises to be sunny and a bit warmer later in the week, the temperatures will drop again and we’ll have more of that cold wet rain. We’ll hear the sneezing and the sound of blowing noses as we continue with a wet fall. Time to think about flu and Covid shots, for sure. Time to stock up on warm soups and hot tea.
Unfortunately, it does not seem to be the time for the U.S to support UN efforts to plan for how to combat future pandemics. The European Union had its own objections to the UN plan, primarily regarding technology transfer and financing aspects, but we seem to think the oceans will protect us against the next pandemic.
The US rejected the UN document on ideological lines because it called for equity and access to reproductive health care. This is now called “radical gender ideology” by the White House. The UN and the World Health Organization will continue its work on pandemic preparedness while we continue to send US citizens to Kenya for a minimum of 21 days to make sure they don’t have Ebola. We need a better plan than that..
Prayer for the Day
How quickly we forget, O God, the crisis not so long ago,
A time when we did not know how the disease spread;
Remembering only fear of the virus and cut off from loved ones,
Struggling to stay safe while caring for others ill and dying.
Move us out of our torpor, open our minds to think ahead,
For we should realize that the world is very small.
In the name of the One who heals us, body and mind,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Blocking stepped-up cooperation against pandemics is an obvious shortsighted, unforced error,” he said. “The White House loves to talk about making other countries do their fair share, but it’s missing a chance to help that happen here, just to serve a myopic ideology.
Peter Maybarduk, Public Citizen Medical Director
It is disappointing that the high level meeting was not asked to endorse the political declaration which had been negotiated by member states. Agreeing to collaborate to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics should not be controversial.
Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister, co-chair of the Independent
Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
But it is not known in the heart of fools.
Proverbs 14: 33