School was a place to feel safe. Most children clambered onto buses or were dropped off at the entrance and rushed into class without thought of anything dangerous. They trusted the teachers, the building, their parents. However, now teachers may or may not be masked. In both cases, children may or may not be masked. In both cases, children are left feeling unsettled with insecurity while parents are riddled with confusion and guilt regardless of school rules. The CDC recommends masks for all students irrespective of their vaccination status. That situation remains fluid as “variant” statistics are analyzed, with each state taking a side to either mandate masking or mandate the right to refuse masks. How should Christian parents navigate these challenges?
States Take Sides
The CDC has recommended masks for all students regardless of their vaccination status. However, that situation is fluid as statistics are analyzed about the variants. States take sides and either mandate masking or mandate the right to refuse masks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the challenges parents face in making decisions for their children’s safety and suggests individual choices best, allowing parents to weigh the risks.
Inflated Statistics
Inflated statistics have ignited the “risk” factor to an unnecessary stress level for parents. “To date, out of more than 74 million children in the United States, there have been about 300 COVID-19 deaths and a few thousand serious illnesses. By comparison, the CDC registered 188 flu-related deaths in children during the 2019-2020 flu season.” Parents would love to see a “zero” amount of those who have died because, as for most parents, one in a million and one in a thousand still equates to risk in their minds.
However, there are risks in life. Sadly, children die by many means. The CDC reports that drowning is still the number one cause of death for infants in the United States. There is an average of 11 accidental drownings of children per day, while automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Throughout the duration of this pandemic, 49,000 Americans under 18 have died of causes not related to Covid. The infection fatality rate for Covid for ages 5-9 years is less than 0.001, which translates that children have been considered safe since the beginning of the pandemic outbreak.
Faith or Fear?
Fear is real, and feeling safe is an inherent human priority. Health risks are daily determined by many decisions, including the food we consume, the car we choose to drive, and the entertainment we engage in…our choices are limitless. Trust for what’s better, for believers in Christ, comes from Him. We will each decide to put our trust in the things of the world, accepting those risks, OR to put our faith in the Lord Who intends to prosper us.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11-12.
Parents, God has plans for your children. To know Him (and His word) allows you to trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Biblical Understanding is Key
“Most Americans don’t know first-hand the overall story of the Bible (the Gospel)—because they rarely pick it up,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “Even among worship attendees, less than half read the Bible daily. The only time most Americans hear from the Bible is when someone else is reading it.” Solid Biblical literacy is a huge contributor to how people view God and is a vital key to trusting Him.
“But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted?” – Romans 10:14
If fear is a recognized factor interfering with making decisions, including those regarding your health and well-being, be encouraged to prayerfully examine where your faith is focused and opt to find strength from His written Word. He has not given you a spirit of fear!
