Much focus and consternation have been directed at the CDC in recent days. The “Center for Disease Control” is on the hot seat as the millions of people across our country are in virtual panic mode over the Covid-19 Corona virus outbreak. Let’s look at the facts as they stand today, as reported by nonpartisan investigative journalist Sheryl Atkinson::

“Almost all of the reported coronavirus deaths in the U.S. happened in long-term care facilities in Washington State. And almost all of those occurred at the same facility.

Most people who get coronavirus have mild or no symptoms.

No young or middle-age people have died of coronavirus in the U.S. 

Most around the world diagnosed from January-March 1 have already recovered.”

Here is the latest info from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as of today:

Q: What is the average American’s risk of getting coronavirus?

A: Low. CDC reports: “For the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.”

Q: What’s the likelihood that coronavirus is in my community?

A: Low. CDC reports: “There is not widespread circulation in most communities in the United States.”

Q: How many coronavirus deaths have there been in the U.S.?

A: So far, not many. CDC reports 36 deaths. Adding various news reports, the number could be about 40 and growing. Although one death is too many, the reported deaths are among 43 states (including the District of Columbia) reporting outbreaks since January in a population of more than 327 million people.

Q: How many young people have died of coronavirus in the U.S.?

A: So far, there are no reports of deaths among young people in the U.S. The U.S. Surgeon General reports the average age of people who have died from coronavirus in the U.S. is 80. Additionally, he says those who are most impacted have chronic, serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

Let’s pause and absorb the irony of this moment.

The CDC has indicated that approximately 1% of Covid-19 infections will result in death. That would be 10 per 1,000. Let’s compare this with actual abortion statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control.

According to the CDC, in 2016 there were 18.6 abortions for every 1,000 live births in the US. That translates into 623,471 deaths by abortion in 2016. All of these were young people whose full lives were ahead of them. More than 60 million legal abortions have been executed in the US since 1973.

I am pro-life to the core. I love old people. I don’t want to see any American experience an early death due to sickness that could have been prevented. I have always joked that the older one gets, the more value they accrue. The accumulation of knowledge, wisdom and life experience gained over the decades must be appreciated. Like a fine wine, each life takes in flavor and depth with the passing of the years.

Yet the appreciation of this fact is hardly evident in many circles throughout our country. The culture in the United States, driven forward by fast-moving forces and an insatiable drive to “get ahead,” lags among the cultures of the world in fully appreciating or honoring the elderly. Rest homes, sad to say, are notorious for their lack of tender loving care for elderly parents, in spite of the high price tag. But I digress…

Let’s step back,  pause and absorb the irony of this moment.

The virus panic that is gripping the US and the whole world is a fear-induced reaction to a force beyond our control, a microscopic enemy that threatens to climb into our bloodstream and wreak havoc to our immune system. Yet the stats, as we see, indicate that the Covid-19 virus kills only the elderly and people with serious pre-existing conditions. It leaves the rest of the population to deal with varying degrees of flu-like symptoms.

Why no panic for the carnage of the very youngest among us?

More than 60 million legal abortions have been performed in the US since 1973. The carnage continues daily. As a nation, we cannot continue to sweep this under a rug.

Our greatest defense against this scourge is the washing of the hands. Experts tell us that a good 20-second washing at regular intervals, throughout the day, is the ticket to prevention.

Let’s pause and absorb the irony of this moment.

Perhaps the most famous, and significant, hand-washing event ever recorded was when Pontius Pilate stood before a raging crowd of bloodthirsty haters who shouted “crucify him” as they pointed their fingers at the man standing at Pilate’s side. Pilate, like everybody else who came in contact with Jesus, found no fault in him. Indeed. He was the spotless Lamb of God. He wasn’t infected with sin like everyone else on the planet.

Pilate conducted this hand-washing ceremony to make a point. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

Let’s pause and absorb the irony of this moment.

More than 60 million legal abortions have been performed in the US since 1973. The carnage continues daily. As a nation, we cannot continue to sweep this under a rug. Nor can we wash our hands and say “I am innocent of this man’s blood.” As Pilate  said: “It is your responsibility!”

In a letter to a friend, Edmund Burke wrote:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Burke was right.

We should wash our hands regularly to prevent being infected with Covid-19. Absolutely. But the only cure for the infanticide epidemic that torments our nation is to stand up, speak out, pray and act.