Reports of increasing numbers of COVID patients fill the news and our ICU wards as we battle with the health industry to release inexpensive treatments to be available to the community. But there is another battle being waged surrounding the virus—patients who must decide whether to receive treatment alone or forego treatment to be with family. For some that decision can have dire consequences, as with one of my friends recently.

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“Was he in the hospital?” I asked.  “No!” My sister replied.  “He had been, but he didn’t want to be away from family any longer. He felt he could heal better at home, with family, so he checked himself out.”

Within twenty-four hours he was dead.

He was a friend of my family.  He was strong and robust and served in law enforcement for many years  He was a vital part of our community. His life should not have ended this way.

He became another victim of COVID-19, not because of the virus, but because of the accompanying mandates.

Less than one week later, another family friend died. He was in the hospital,  alone,- with COVID-19.

How much more of this can we take? How much more will be allowed?

We have probably all personally heard story after story like this one. Because they know they cannot have family with them, some people, who are truly sick, avoid hospitals because of the mandates. Because if they go, they know they will be forced to endure whatever needs to be done alone, without the support from those who love them most.  The hospitals are filled with patients who are alone and afraid. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are also full of patients who are alone, afraid, and often confused, not understanding why loved ones and family are not visiting.

“It’s not good for man to be alone,” God said in Genesis.  Ecclesiastes 4 tells us that two are better than one, for if one falls the other can pick him up.

GOD DID NOT MEAN FOR US TO FACE THINGS ALONE.  He placed a high priority on family.  He wants us to be there for our family, especially during the most challenging of times.  Yet, we find families separated by imposed mandates and people are dying because of it.

It is not right.  My heart breaks for those who have endured this virus alone – afraid and without family support by their side.

My heart also breaks for those who have had loved ones die alone – without the comfort of the presence and touch of their loved ones.  This is wrong.

Should a sick person have to choose between medical care and being with family?  NO! Absolutely not.

I can’t help but think of the physicians promise; First, do no harm.

Our confidence in physicians has always been that they would first do no harm.  Yet in these times we have no idea what is happening with our family members who are hospitalized alone.  We only know what we are told.

A friend recently shared the details of their horrific hospital stay.  After being put on life support, they heard every pessimistic detail the doctors and nurses said.  Their words were not words of life and hope.  Frankly, what he heard as he was “cared” for was frightening. Surely with the presence of family, the words of the doctors and nurses may have been more careful and positive.

I realize this is not happening in every hospital. But if it is happening in one, that is one too many. And surely the staff of hospitals are feeling the lack of families present to support the patients. Surely they are pressured greatly by many things in these times!

In fact, we know that the mandates which have accompanied this virus are taking a greater toll on people in more ways than one. I recently read an article that stated,

“The mental health toll from the coronavirus on individuals, couples, families, employment, businesses, pastors, churches, missionaries, schools and medical workers has been nothing short of devastating, to say the least. Here’s some clinical information to add perspective.

Research from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey from May 2020 to July 2020 indicates symptoms of anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorder shot up from 34.5% in May to 40.1% in July. The survey was conducted on adults ages 18 and older.

The Census Bureau survey said that more than one-third of Americans are displaying clinical signs of anxiety, depression or both since the coronavirus pandemic began. A Pew Research Center survey said this figure was as high as 55%. Loneliness from pandemic-related isolation and lockdowns also plays a part in depression.” (Hope for the New Year, Fred Antonelli, Charisma, Jan/Feb 2021)

We cannot stop praying against the evil of this virus and the havoc it is wreaking.  We must stand together as a Body and defeat it and remove it from our nation.  We must.  People are dying.  Yes, some are dying from the virus, but just as many are dying from the mandates and the madness surrounding it.  It must stop.

I believe we must also pray for these merciless rules to be removed from all hospitals and doctor’s offices and demand they be replaced with what is actually in the best interest of the patient.

Father, we come to You today in Jesus name.  We come as Your Body, in total agreement.  Your Word says where two agree it shall be done.  We believe Your Word and we are standing on it.  We bind this virus called COVID-19 and we command it to go–to leave our cities, our states and our nation.  We send it back to hell from whence it came.  COVID-19 – we command you leave our nation now in Jesus’ name.  Father, I speak healing, wholeness, and restoration to every single person who has been affected by this virus.  Heal them quickly Lord, and make them whole.  We ask You to deal with our government officials to look into these mandates and remove any rule that is causing more harm than good for those seeking medical help.  We also ask You to heal the hearts of those who have lost loved ones.  Give them peace Lord, the peace that passes understanding.  God, we need You to move on our behalf concerning this virus.  We need You to back our words and send warring angels to drive this virus out of this world, back to where it came from.  We ask this in total agreement, in Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

Prayer is powerful. We need to continue to pray, there is no doubt.  But we must go a step further and act. Call your Governor.  Call your Senator.  (Find out how to contact your elected officials and who they are—search your zip code on the home page of IFApray.org.) Take the time to let your voice be heard concerning these mandates.  They must stop.  We can make a difference.  We can’t allow people to continue to die from the madness surrounding this virus. Either from COVID-19 or not.

Author Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, imparting hope. To receive her daily inspirational writings, go to www.anewthingministries.com. To join the city-by-city prayer movement to save our nation go to: http://city-by-city.org/ (Photo Credit: Getty Images.)

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