Endemic Reality

Experts have long anticipated that COVID-19 would transition to an endemic state. Recent evidence from the Delta and Omicron variants supports this expectation: COVID, like numerous viruses, can mutate and will likely continue to do so. This indicates that vaccines may need ongoing adjustments to combat emerging variants.

While some argue that the Omicron variant is more severe than Delta, this largely depends on which statistics you consider. Omicron may be highly contagious, leading to a surge in new cases, but its rates of severe illness and mortality are considerably lower than those associated with Delta. Many healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, have noted that a significant number of individuals contracting Omicron are already vaccinated. With nearly 80% of Americans aged five and older having received at least one vaccine dose, and over 88% of high-risk individuals fully vaccinated, it appears that COVID-19 might follow a seasonal pattern similar to other flu-like coronaviruses. The evidence suggests that vaccination may safeguard against more severe variants but not necessarily against Omicron.

To My Fellow Christians

I now wish to speak directly to my Christian brothers and sisters. My hope is that this message resonates with both sides in a spirit of love and care. The pandemic has caused divisions within the church that many of us could not have anticipated. Some Christians feel a moral obligation to get vaccinated and wear masks, while others are just as resolute in opposing mandates for vaccines and masks, citing personal freedom.

Both extremes distract us from the core message of the Gospel. Since March 2020, many have experienced a profound sense of loss of control. However, I believe that both responses stem from a similar underlying issue.

For those who assert that masking and vaccination are moral imperatives, could it be that you are attempting to exert control over your circumstances? COVID-19 is now endemic. Vaccines are beneficial and can mitigate serious symptoms, but it is likely that the COVID vaccine will evolve into a seasonal vaccine akin to the flu vaccine. While COVID may persist, its severity may diminish over time. If others opt not to be vaccinated, does this alter your primary mission as a follower of Christ? Are you elevating a secondary issue to primary importance?

Conversely, for those firmly against vaccines and masks, might this also reflect a desire for control? We often take modern medicine for granted. Just a few decades ago, polio was eradicated in nearly every country. Would a vaccine mandate compromise your central mission as a follower of Christ? Are you allowing a secondary issue to overshadow the primary?

I have observed many Christians disparaging others for their differing views on vaccinations and masks. My social media feeds frequently feature friends criticizing the “unvaccinated heathens” or the “compliant sheep.” What message are you attempting to convey? Can you look beyond someone's vaccination choice and focus on the essence of the Gospel?

Many believers have prioritized vaccination status over relationships. Would you be open to maintaining a relationship with someone who holds a different view on vaccination? Or does their status fundamentally alter your interaction with them? If they share the Gospel as a central part of their life and you do too, can vaccination status truly hinder your relationship?

To both groups: if God is sovereign, why are we in conflict over vaccinations? To those who remain unvaccinated, if you believe the vaccine poses risks, can you trust that God can shield you from adverse effects? To those advocating for vaccination, do you believe God could render vaccines ineffective against new variants?

My Efforts Toward Understanding

Human beings are complex. My experience in research has shown me just how much remains unknown about genetics, human behavior, and health predispositions. There will never be a one-size-fits-all solution, including for vaccines. I have refrained from disclosing my vaccination status until now. Perhaps you've formed assumptions about it; I invite you to reflect on why that might be.

My wife, a Registered Nurse, and I have engaged in many discussions about the disconnects we've observed among our friends and family regarding this issue. One principle she learned in nursing school is the importance of encouraging individuals to seek medical guidance. Mandating compliance often yields poor outcomes. Trust is built through sharing accurate information and allowing individuals to make informed choices.

Some may determine that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, and that is valid. Others may conclude that the potential risks of vaccination are unacceptable for them, and that is equally valid.

My primary objective in this piece is to foster sanity and balance in these conversations. The impact of COVID-19 has been profound, yet we must resist allowing it to divide us. We must acknowledge that any vaccine or mask policy will inevitably have imperfections. As scientists, we strive for excellence, fully aware that our methods will always have limitations. Sadly, some scientists have allowed their political beliefs to overshadow their objectivity, damaging the credibility of scientific endeavors.

I sincerely hope that, as fellow humans, we can engage with each other respectfully and empathetically. It is my desire that, as Christians, we do not allow vaccination status or any other divisive issue to obstruct our understanding of the Gospel. God entered our suffering through Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection offered us reconciliation with a just and merciful God—a gift we neither earned nor deserved.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

This is our focal point. Let us prioritize Him, regardless of our circumstances, and let us extend love to one another amidst our differences.

Ken Ham discusses the COVID-19 pandemic from a Christian perspective, offering insights into faith and science during these challenging times.