Coming soon to a summer camp near you... Swine flu. The pesty virus is breaking out at summer camps nationwide, leaving countless organizations scrambling to determine a course of action.

With an estimated 11 million kids and adults attending camps this summer – a fair share of them church-related – this is quickly becoming a problem of escalating concern. And get this: some camps are experiencing and treating breakouts of flu-related illnesses, but not testing for the actual H₁N₁ virus.

A source close to Church Solutions is experiencing the frustration firsthand with a teen camp counselor quarantined at a camp facility. The once-healthy teen has tested positive for influenza A, of which H₁N₁ is a strain; however, only the CDC and state health departments will do the actual test for H₁N₁ – and only when patients are hospitalized and symptomatic for several days. The suspicion is that the agencies don’t want to know numbers or cases at the local level. Journalist or not, I’d say that story could be more damaging than reporting a few cases of the swine flu.

The aforementioned family and teen (who has been diagnosed with viral pneumonia), and others in this situation could use your prayers. There are many challenges with poor communication, isolation of children and mass exposure of the virus – both previous and ongoing through the summer.

If you or your church participates in or hosts a camp, make sure you’re well-prepared on all fronts (medical personnel, contingency plan, internal and external communications, media relations). Let us know your experiences and we’ll help keep our readers informed.

God bless,

Karen

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Does the Bible and Christian teaching entitle everyone to health care? It seems like a straightforward question, but the responses are anything but.

President Barack Obama’s administration has unveiled a plan for health care in the U.S. that, more or less, calls for the creation of a government-run, publically funded insurance company, or a “public option.” Some religious groups, including Faith in Public Life, Faithful America, the PICO National Network and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have teamed up to purchase radio advertisements encouraging pastors to get behind the proposed health care reform. The ads frame health care as a moral issue and discuss the human right to health care.

On the other hand, many churches and their leaders are steering clear of this political issue. The argument pits emotional and ethical rhetoric (pathos and ethos) against pragmatism and logic (logos) – a battle that cannot be won on either side. For every good point one might make about why the proposed overhaul of health care and health insurance is a good idea, someone can make an equally valid counterpoint, most notably the exorbitant cost of the program. The questions are seemingly endless: What will happen to the quality of care? Will citizens and doctors still have choices? Would the government-run company provide care for all? What will happen to taxes? Will the current private insurance survive and if not, what economic impact would that have?

Beyond the biblical and ethical questions surrounding a massive government overhaul of health care, what implications would such as a change have for you as an employer and staff manager? Would you support a system where you don’t have to pay for employee’s benefits because health care is socialized? Could you afford to offer health benefits if you knew a public option existed?

I’m curious where our readers stand, as this issue is currently at the forefront of domestic policy.

Wondering how you feel about the solution on the table,

John

Sources:

Yahoo News: Religious Group’s Radio Ads Back Health Care Overhaul

MyFox8.com: Obama’s Health Care Plan

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Churches and Christians are preparing to join forces in a nationwide act of repentance and prayer in the “Call to Fall,” Sunday, July 5, 2009. The effort is focused on uniting tens of thousands of believers in prayer – hopefully preparing the way for a release of healing and renewal.

According to call2fall.com, the declaration comes straight from the pages of Scripture:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.    (2 Chronicles 7:14)

My church and I are joining the more than 23,000 participants currently registered on the site by responding: I will answer God's call to fall on my knees in humility and seek His face in repentance so that He might forgive my sins and heal our land.

I hope you’ll join in, too. Information and resources are available here.

God bless,

Karen