Monday, March 16, 2020

The Duggars and Coronavirus

A "small" group of Duggars
This afternoon, President Trump announced that Americans should avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, with the goal of stopping the spread of coronavirus. Ironically, when you have 19 children (including more than seven still living at home) and 17 grandchildren, a gathering of 10 or more happens on a daily basis. And the Duggars aren't the only ones in that situation. We have plenty of readers with eight or more children.

They sure are crazy times we're living in! Thankfully, we can rejoice that God is still on the throne and still in control.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

108 comments:

  1. Hopefully, the Duggars aren't selfish and don't have extended family over to any of their houses until this is over. Since they love Trump so much, hopefully they obey him.

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    1. What a strange comment! Even if they invited someone over, they don’t have to go. They aren’t forcing anyone to visit with them.

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  2. Yep, we are definetely headed in the direction of a one world government. We are living in the last days as prophesied in the book of Revelation.

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    1. No we're not, OP. We're dealing with a virus. There are outbreaks of some sort of virus every few years, some new strains, some old. Always has been. If you read the Bible then you know all about plagues.

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    2. True!! We can see the prophesies in Revelations happening more and more everyday. "Maranatha" 🙏😇

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    3. Malarkey. People have been saying the very same thing for centuries. I remember a time where the church my parents attended was preaching that Christ would return in 1975. It had those congregations forgoing making any plans for the future at all. I was told to forget about college because there'd be no point. I'm sure glad I didn't pay any attention to it! It will be a rough ride, but we will get through this and life will go on- some changes perhaps, but it will go on.

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    4. No, we have had even worse situations in the past. We have had war and even plague. This time, we are more prepared because countries are communicating and sharing information. We are helping each other.

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    5. Oh brother.....how many dooms day predictions have come and gone over the years. Every time there is an earthquake or a major flood, the world is ending. We have enough negative news and information out there right now we need to focus on following guidelines to stay healthy and slow the spread of this virus. Please keep your dooms day junk to yourself.

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    6. Good grief. This isn’t the first pandemic to plague the earth. My great grandmother died as a result of the flu outbreak in 1918. She was only 42 years old. At 16, my grandmother had to take over the care of her siblings.

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  3. Amen Lily and Ellie! I'm not giving in to fear by hoarding high demand items like some people are doing.

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    1. She didn't say anything about that. Also especially bigger families need to stock up on things. In my opinion that's just being well-prepared. It might save someone having to take care of buying your groceries if you get quarantined so I don't think it's all selfishness.

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    2. Good hygiene, staying safe distances from others and reducing stress and panic will do much more than a million rolls of toilet paper or strick disenfection. Common sense is the answer.

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    3. @9:41 Even the most sensible people still get sick. Common sense alone does not stop a virus from wafting through the air towards your nose or lurking on that door knob you just touched.

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    4. There's hoarding, and then there's having a 2 to 3 week's supply on hand, which is especially important if a family member gets sick and you don't want exposed family members shopping.

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  4. I guess they are shipping a few off to their siblings place.....a few to Jill, a few to Joy, a few to Joseph, a few to Jessa and a couple to Anna's. ;)

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    1. Why? The unmarried children living at home have no reason to be "shipped anywhere".

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  5. At least we know they won't be running out of food any time soon. I wonder how their grocery bill has changed since the early specials when we saw them with their long train of shopping carts at Aldi's.

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    1. ??? As far as I can tell they purchase their food at grocery stores like everyone else. I doubt they have a warehouse full of food at their compound.

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    2. 2:31, I have seen every episode plus their early specials. They have been showing us from the early specials how they keep a sizable stocked pantry, how they rotate the canned goods like Jim Bob learned when he worked in a grocery, and yes, they showed them shopping in Aldi's, which is a regular grocery store, with a train of shopping carts. Go back and watch them on you tube so you know what I am talking about.

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    3. That's a good question, 10:25. They still must buy in great bulk, but just not as much. I remember the days of 14 and Counting...

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  6. As long as none of you are infected, your 'nuclear' family should be fine! Just think of the crowds in stores; 10 maximum?! Unrealistic.

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    1. Problem is, your 'nuclear' family can't leave the compound or they could come back carrying the virus and then the infection begins... Ten maximum in stores is not only a good idea but may become the practice soon. Get ready to stand in long lines outside the stores while others shop, one let in as one comes out. There's no way to "flatten the curve" of new cases unless people start looking at these restrictions as very realistic, and if they cooperate.

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    2. @10:28 It can incubate in a person for up to 2 weeks. You can show no signs yet still transmit it to people around you. If you're human and on this planet, you're exactly what this virus is looking for.

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    3. 10:28- How does anyone know if they're infected or not? People can be asymptomatic and there are no where near enough test kits available.

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    4. Well many grocery stores have delivery/pickup. If all implemented online ordering and then pick up without leaving your car its possible. Restaurants are already doing this.

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    5. Km - Try placing an order online at a grocery store right now. The next available pick-up times are next week, if that. Some stores, I saw a 2 week wait. There is not enough staff to fill the orders. Grocery stores were not ready for this onslaught.

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    6. 1:45, good luck getting groceries delivered. Places like Walmart and Instacart are swamped and you have to keep checking for openings. If everyone switched to delivery only, we could be waiting a month for food. Not exaggerating.

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    7. Being related doesn't offer immunity to this virus. If someone goes out and is exposed, they can bring it back to the rest of the family.

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    8. 2:29 I think it varies depending upon where you live. I ordered groceries from Walmart and was able to pick them up within 24 hours. I was the only person at the pickup. We have QuickTrip convenience stores here in the Midwest and they get stock in every day. It's a good place to buy butter and eggs. Walmart was cleaned out.

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    9. I just checked my store's pick-up availability. Next Friday evening (6 days from now) is the first and only slot they have open.

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  7. If all Duggars get together it will be 21+8+17 = 46 immediate family members plus Deanna (Jim Bob's sister), Amy Duggar and her family. It'll be like 50 people. And if some in-laws join in, like Kendra's sister Lauren is shown around a lot, Lauren's sister Lily.

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  8. I think the warning was mostly for parties and gathering where people come from different places and then leave and go to different places again, so if they catch a virus they will spread it around. One family is usually self-contained. Also Duggar kids don't go to school.

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    1. The only way the Duggars could be self-contained is if they never left the house.

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    2. 10:46 It doesn't matter if it's one family. If they've been coming and going or doing any traveling, which the Duggars are known to do, they need to take extra precautions.

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    3. Right..this whole thing is crazy..

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  9. I hope they’re taking appropriate precautions. The Duggars are known for hosting a lot of gatherings in their house, they should put a halt on those for a while, even ones with just the married siblings.

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  10. including more than seven still living at home...

    Are there seven grandchilderen living at home with Jim Bob and Michelle?
    Or do I undertand this wrong?

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    1. There are more than seven of their children who live at home, not their grandchildren.

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    2. The post, is pointing out, that Josie, Jordyn, Tyler, Jennifer, Johannah, Jackson, Justin, James, Jason, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, and Jana, are still living, with Michelle, and Jim Bob. All of the other children, have gotten married, and now live with their respective spouses, and children.

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    3. "19 children (including more than seven still living at home) and 17 grandchildren"

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  11. Maybe God can send needed medical supplies* then, if in control. Our elected leaders in Washyourhandsington sure aren't.

    *Better yet, a cure

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    1. Corona virus is like the flu...it affects people with compromised immune system and elderly more just like flu...this is so overhyped it's not even funny. Media hype has caused so much chaos. Schools, restaurants, etc..are closed and people are still allegedly getting it. Wake up people!

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    2. Exactly how can you say “God is in control” when we have a severe shortage of masks, gowns and testing kits. People are dying because of the shortage. Does God want people dying?

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    3. @4:39 People are still getting it because we are not quarantining strictly enough, we didn't stop air travel soon enough, and because asymptomatic people are carrying it and spreading it. That includes children and people in their 20's and 30's. Both groups were allowed to congregate at school and in public for too long before we started closing places. Even that isn't helping. What good is closing restaurants, if that worker feeling a little feverish is still allowed to prepare your food and hand it to you in a germy to-go bag through your car window, so you can take it home and into your house with your bare, unwashed hands? What good is letting 100 or 200 people at a time into a grocery store? See? Not strict enough rules. Italy is finding this out. The US is a few weeks behind them but we are next. And it's not like the flu. It has a longer incubation period, leading to wider spread before you know you have it. The death rate is huge compared to the flu! Right now it stands at 10% of all cases worldwide. That is not hype. Those figures come from a health organization who's tracking the statistics daily from all countries. I don't need to "wake up." Who can sleep anyway.

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    4. 4:39. It is you who needs to wake up. Hospitals are finding more and more seriously ill young people. This virus has no vaccine and we don’t yet have the capacity to test everyone who should be. There are likely thousands more affected than we know of. If “over hyping” this prevents our health care system from being overwhelmed, I say it’s a good thing!

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    5. 3:20 -- WRONG. Even leading Democrats like Ilhan Omar are praising Trump's handling of this crisis. Check your facts.

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    6. I get so frustrated hearing this is just a plot by Democrats & the media. This is a dangerous NEW virus with no treatment or prevention. A nurse told my husband that it's predicted there will be a million people needing hospitalization in the near future because of this. Also, many young people are requiring hospitalization. As for the immunocompromised & elderly being at greater risk, that's true. As an elderly woman who isn't ready to die yet I take offense at your cavalier attitude. Please heed the warnings if not for your own protection then for all of us old people. What would Jesus want you to do?

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    7. @4:39 You wake up!! The death rate for COVID-19 is about 3.4% whereas that for the flu is about 0.2%.
      This is NOT media hype. It is a very serious problem. Look what is happened in China and in Italy.

      It is people like you that are the problem. You spread the disease by not following medical and government guidelines. SHAME!!!

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    8. @4:39 I sure hope you or a loved one don't have to show up at an ER because of some "overhyped" virus. Maybe you could tell the doctors and nurses to go treat someone else first, because you aren't worried and it's all artificial hype and chaos.

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    9. Latest news is that there's an anti-malarial medication that has been very effective in patients in small trials, and now the U.S. is taking steps to using it. Hopefully this will help many recover.

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    10. @9:50 That is not true. Trump is not a expert in medical research. There have been NO clinical trials; there is NO proof.

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    11. 2:57, I did not say anything about Trump, Canada is actually using this medicine now, and there was at least one small trial, peer-reviewed, that had a 100% success rate. I posted about the medicine BEFORE Trump's speech about it, by the way.

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    12. The malaria/lupus drug has been used off-label and without FDA approval after some reports that it was tried in China and might have worked, that's all. Good luck finding it at a pharmacy right now. It's gone from hospital pharmacies and now missing from the supply pipeline along with those gowns and masks. There was a huge run on it this week and supplies will be deleted for who knows how long. The Washington Post just did a report on that.

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    13. 2:57, actually there are several studies that show that it is effective at preventing as well as treating. Trump had nothing to do with those studies. He is only talking about something that is already being researched.

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    14. 4:39PM: This is not a virus that is only dangerous to people with a compromised immune system, or the elderly. If you have asthma, are diabetic, if you smoke, or vape, or use weed, if you live in a polluted city or have a job that is hazardous to your lungs, if you have lung scarring from pneumonias, if you're a first responder, nurse, doctor, you are at risk. This is not a human virus, this is animal virus. It is very scary. Pay attention and do what is necessary, stay home!

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    15. @7:40 Cite those studies. There are NO effective treatment, no matter what Trump or you say. The virus is only been known for 12 weeks; research is on-going and focused across the world. We, in this country, are listening to our Chef Medical Officers.

      It is dangerous to spread unfounded information. It makes people think that they do not have to practice social distancing. They can carry on, as usual.

      Do yourself a favor. Listen to ONLY medical experts, not to Trump.

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    16. News articles are my source of information, not Trump, thank you very much. Knowing that there are working treatments are meant to encourage those who are scared to death that this is not hopeless, not to encourage people that they don't have to follow guidelines. 🙄

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    17. @2:08 DO NOT SPREAD FALSE Information. I am Canadian and I know for a fact that it is NOT being used in Canada. Clinical trials are taking place of several treatments but no results yet. If you are Canadian, listen to Dr. Tam.

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    18. Well, I continue to see articles about it being used with great results by individual doctors, so, whatever.

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  12. "God is still on the throne and still in control" -- so true! Jesus is our lighthouse in these dark times. We don't need to fear.

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    1. @4:50AM How do you explain that to the 9% worldwide who have had it and have died so far? (Source: Worldometer) Do you think they didn't mind because God was in control? Do you think they didn't feel fear at some point? It's easy to sit back and say don't fear and that someone is in control. Much harder is admitting that it really is out of control, nobody has control over it, and there's plenty to fear. I know several people in service industry jobs who have been laid off already. Should they tell the landlord not to fear, that God will be in charge of the rent payments from now on? Let's be practical here. Words of religious complacency solve nothing practical at times like this.

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    2. Debbie- I'm sure you mean well. However, if God is still in control, IMO somewhere along the line he dropped the ball with this COVID19 virus. The best we can do is listen to medical experts, stay calm, and take care of one another. If prayer and faith in a higher power help you through this, go for it.

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    3. So right. This is not a problem you sit back and wait for any god to solve. This is a problem for scientists to solve and for you and me to solve by not getting near others right now. We have to deal with it ourselves. Pray to your god, but don't expect masks and chicken soup to magically show up at your door. If they do, it's from the goodness of others, not a god. People can be good you know.

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    4. God IS in control, at ALL times. *If you believe in God* you know to take reasonable steps to prevent suffering and trouble, but, ultimately, you realize that your life, ultimately, is in the hands of God. This virus is not stronger than God. Therefore, there truly IS nothing to fear. If God decides you are to die, you will die. If He decides you won't, you won't. So we don't sit back and do nothing, we do the best we can with things, but always in, with and for God, in trust. This applies to everything in life, not just a virus. Furthermore, it is said that the vast majority of people who get this virus recover and most have mild symptoms. I think this virus is to be taken seriously, but I also believe that it is being very, very overhyped by media and people obsessively panicking. How long do officials plan to keep the planet shut down? Germs are everywhere. Why don't they track another coronavirus down -- the common cold -- and see how many people in the world have that today. Should we shut everything down and hoard and panic over that coronavirus, too?

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    5. Debbie- The goal is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, which is happening right now in Italy. There are not enough respirators or other supplies for medical staff and patients. Hunkering down in our homes is just one way to prevent a massive influx of patients requiring hospitalization at one time. It needs to be spread out. If we don't do this, then even people with other medical concerns that need treatment will have a hard time getting it. Should we panic? No, but we do need to be proactive.

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  13. No more eating out, getting manicures, or visits to Silver Dollar City, at least for the forseeable future.

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    1. Haha what will they do!?

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    2. Here comes more Tater tot casserole!!!

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  14. Well, they are at additional risk, especially if they go out. That is not amusing. It's a public health crisis.

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    1. Agree, 10:21.

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    2. I would guess Josie in particular is the greatest at risk and should not be around the others at all!

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    3. Health crisis?? It's more like a media hates Trump cisis!

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    4. 4:40, isn’t it amazing how all the countries of the world got together to create this virus, even risking world financial collapse just because they
      hate Trump? Or maybe all the people sick and those who have died don’t really exist. It’s ALL made up!
      The misinformation you are spreading is dangerous. Please just stop with the conspiracy theories and think about how you can help stop the spread of this dangerous virus. Trust me, it doesn’t care what political party you belong to or what country you live in.

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  15. Lol, at least they are not 10 strangers. I think that's what the health officials are referring to

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    1. The virus doesn't care if you're a stranger or a family member. All it wants to do is go from host to host and reproduce itself. Ten people in close proximity are still 10 people.

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    2. It make a difference if any of them have been traveling. Doesn't matter if you're related or not.

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    3. No, they are not referring to strangers. Unless those 10 family members are not going out (shopping, work...) and are isolated at home, there is still a chance the virus will spread. The virus does not care if you are related or not.

      In China, whole families were infected/

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    4. What I mean by "at least they're not strangers" is the fact that they are all family members, living together, staying at home, practicing social distancing from anybody on the outside. They can order groceries for delivery, without having to leave their home. Worship at home. Not have family nights. Even if 15 of them still live at home, they should be safe, because they're sheltering in place. Not strangers who come from different homes and each bringing risk to their group.

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  16. Keep safe everybody. Saying my prayers

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  17. As long as they contain themselves within the family structure they should be ok. Maybe split the households into ones that don't need to go anywhere stay at the big house and the few that does have to go out can stay in another house and isolate themselves together until this passes.

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  18. Will they be postponing the filming of their show for the time being? Production team and camera crew could put everyone at increased risk of illness.

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  19. They are all beautiful! I haven't seen the family in awhile. Thanks for sharing your family with us. Hod bless you all and keep you safe.

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  20. Jim Bob & Michelle and the kids who live at home are safe to stay together. They have a big property, so they can go outside. Only do grocery shopping and pharmacy trips. Worship at home. They should be aware of what their extended family members are doing and who they're being exposed to. Derrick should be doing his studies online and not going to classes. Derrick's mom is a cancer survivor, they have to be careful to ensure she isn't exposed to anything. They should all postpone the Monday night family nights until this is under control. Just keep to their own individual families right now.

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  21. 10 people. The health officers are not referring to strangers. They are referring to 10 people. The 10 people can be someone you know.

    I'm in Europe right now. You should respect the ban.

    No more than 10 people. Stay apart. And stay only with your household (those living in the house) if at all possible.

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  22. I hope all the blog readers are well & keeping safe. I write this as I & my daughter are self isolating in our home in the UK. My daughter is a teacher & has come into contact with staff & students suspected to have the virus. I work in the hospital where the very first UK Covid sufferer was taken & im also now having to self isolate. It’s a difficult time for us but we are managing. I have a autoimmune condition which makes me more susceptible to infection so my daughter who has symptoms is banished to her bedroom while I’m in the lounge. We are even communicating via face time which is actually quite funny. God bless everyone at this time. A plus point I just wanted to let people know, the baby born in the UK with Covid is now out of danger & on the road to recovery. Please pray for my son who is on the front line as a doctor in our NHS & dealing with patients on a daily basis, I just want him to keep well.

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    1. Fuzzyferet praying for you and your daughter and son. That's great news about the baby. Take care of yourself.

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  23. I am being honest when I say that I have grown to be thankful that I was never able to have biological children and bring any, innocent and unaware, into this bizarre and crazy world. I am also grateful for having been given the opportunity to be an adoptive mother to my wonderful children.

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    1. Wonderful that you adopted children!

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  24. They certainly will not run short on entertainment with so many people and kids! Hopefully they are doing well during this time <3

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  25. They seem a family who are resourceful and practice common sense which I think will be reflected in how they choose to gather and go about their activities.

    I am diametrically opposed in my views of the world compared to the Duggars and how I live the word of God but I like to think that when we are called to serve, they would stand shoulder to shoulder with me too complete that service.

    I wish them, the Admins of this blog and its readers all the best in getting through this difficult time and I will keep you all in my prayers. God will not falter and neither should you. Lisa

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  26. They shouldn't have gatherings of the whole family for a while. There are 11 still at home, so 13 total with Jim Bob and Michelle. That's not much more than the limit, so hopefully they will heed directions and those not living at home will stay away.

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  27. It would be nice if you could thank the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who are
    working tirelessly to cure people. Just praying to God is it going to help cure the virus, the doctors, nurses and PA’s are the real heroes. They deserve some praise.

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    1. It is GOD who gives the doctors, nurses, and PAs breath in their lungs and the brains and hands to treat patients. Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17. That being said, we are very grateful to scientists and all healthcare professionals for using their God-given talents to help others and should keep them our prayers.

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    2. There IS a medicine out there...it's called vitamin C

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    3. Vitamin c is not a medicine is it a supplement.

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    4. Yes, Vitamin Clearthinking is a wonderful thing and most people don't get enough of it at times like this.

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  28. @ 4:39. I appreciate your sentiment but I don’t believe God-given- talents especially when it comes to specific things. I believe everybody has the capability to achieve anything they want to if they put their mind to it. Even a person who sucks at math and science can become a doctor if they study really hard.

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    1. There is way more to things like being a doctor than memorizing and studying hard. It takes a certain kind of mind and heart to be a really good doctor. Natural ability in things like acting, music, teaching, etc. is a key factor, not just head knowledge.

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    2. Memorizing does not mean the person UNDERSTANDS the material. And no amount of studying can make a person who does not have the ability nor the intelligence a doctor!

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    3. LOL are you kidding me??!!

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    4. @ 5:38, no I am not kidding are you?

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  29. I'm having a hard time keeping up with this family. Has their show finished filming for the next 2 months? If not, I suggest they go on a hiatus until this virus has passed. Exposing the camera crew and production staff is not wise at this time.

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  30. I love their statement about the Coronavirus. I feel the same way, God is still on the throne and still in control. The previous comments I read are so unneccessary. The Duggars have always been diligent workers and responsibly taken care of each child God blessed them with. Jim Bob and Michelle hasn't relied on the government to clothe,shelter,or feed their family like so many who have done at the behest and enslavement of the liberal Democratic party. They seem to be doing like so many other Christians, which is trust in the Lord in every area of their lives and not run around worrying about the splinter in their neighbors' eye and ignoring the log sticking out of their own. Right now we,who believe, should be praying, seeking God more,and acting towards each other with the love that Christ did instead of tearing one another down. We already have an adversary who accuses us before the Lord daily. None of us need to be his henchman. And if you've ever read Revelations, a lot of things are happening that line up with what God already told us would happen before His Son's triumphant return. We need to keep our hearts pure and ourselves ready for when that day comes. When Jesus does return won't it be great for Him to find us believers
    doing what He told us to do?

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    1. You're describing some Christian end of the world scenario. Since only 1/3 of the world is Christian, 2/3 don't believe what you claim. Let's not forget that not everyone has your same beliefs or holds them as fact.

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    2. So what happens if the Christian's are right?

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  31. I had it.. not fun but I survived. People freaking out too much..

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