Had you ever heard of the medical term CoVid 19 one year ago? Did you ever think we would be experiencing this type of pandemic in the years, 2020 and 2021. Do you remember other epidemics or pandemics in history? Below is a very brief overview of some epidemics/pandemics you may have heard of in the USA. Many of you may have been told of past relatives that actually died of these diseases.
Name Year Notes
| Smallpox | First identified – 1600’s. | Vaccine initiative eradicated disease in USA 1972. Anybody have the scar? |
| Typhoid | 1906-1907 | Vaccine introduced 1911 and antibiotic treatment 1948. Very rare in the USA now. |
| Diptheria | 1921 | Mid 1920’s the vaccine was introduced. The vaccine is now a required childhood vaccine and is part of a tetanus vaccine in adults also. |
| Polio | 1916-1955 | Many may remember the iron lung used for the treatment. Salk introduced the vaccine in 1955. In 1979, the USA was declared polio free. |
| H2N2 (Bird flu) | Summer of 1957 | Now part of the yearly flu vaccine. |
| Measles | 1981-1991 | 2nd Measles vaccine (combined with the Mumps and Rubella vaccine) is now required. There are still cases, particularly with travelers. |
| H1N1 (Swine flu) | December 2009 | Spread quickly then! A second flu vaccine recommended that year. Now part of our annual flu vaccine. |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | 2010, 2014
Outbreaks every 3-5 years. |
Vaccine part of childhood series; Vaccine given during pregnancy; Adults are recommended to receive at least 1 dose. (TDaP) |
| SARS-COV-2 (COVID 19) | 2019, 2020, 2021 | Vaccine December 2020. |
CDC website, www.cdc.gov; Healthline.com – “Outbreaks in US history”.
So, here we are in the year 2021. Practicing the 3 W’s: Wash your hands; Wear a Mask; Watch your distance. Future generations will read about this time period and be amazed, just as we are with past history, hoping it never happens again. Unfortunately, they too may tell of relatives or someone they knew who died of the COVID 19 virus.
But, one might ask, where is God during this time? I see God every day in the healthcare workers and store clerks trying to keep us healthy and meet our basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. I see God in the persons arranging the vaccine clinics and working in adverse weather and poor workstation conditions assuring all receive their vaccine. I see God in the employees of assisted living facilities filling the void of the families that cannot visit. I see God in the scientist who have worked long hours to create treatment and vaccines for this virus. I see God in the ministerial staff attempting very different ways of worship, visitation and Bible Study caring for their flock. I see God in the audio/visual staff of many churches taking their time to assure the services are recorded and shared weekly, still spreading the love and God’s word from the Bible. I see God in grandparents, parents, neighbors, friends and teachers trying to maintain a difficult education system for our children.
There is no doubt this is a trying, unprecedented time in history but God remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Where do you see God?
Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We are Blessed. Beth
