Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

Comfort for God’s People

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God

man standing in a road — photo from Lightstock.com, stock photo site, an affiliate link

In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord^];
make straight in the desert a highway for our God

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level ,the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40 (NIV)

“every valley”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also quoted this scripture passage in his iconic “I have a dream” speech. Read about it here-

The Handel family

Georg Handel was a barber-surgeon in northern Germany in the 17th century. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe who only performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

I’m glad his son, George did not follow his father into medicine. Instead George Frideric Handel studied music and eventually composed his masterpiece , Messiah, first performed in 1742, and which millions of people have listened to or sang since then.

Listen on Apple Music – an affiliate link , the commission supports this blog

HANDEL'S MESSIAH- A SOULFUL CELEBRATION album cover

We usually associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

sharing the HEART of faith, hope, and love

Dr. Aletha

"faith, hope, love" each word written on a card, strung on a line with clothes pins — Lightstock.com graphic; find it at this link

2 0 20 vaccination recommendations from the CDC

There is a related and updated version of this post at this link

With a few exceptions for medical reasons I believe all adults should discuss vaccination with their physician and be immunized for any diseases for which they are at risk.

And I recommend that parents do the same for their children and adolescents.

questions to ask about vaccines and the immunization process include.

What contagious diseases is a person likely to be exposed to?
What are the risks of those diseases?
What are the risks of a particular vaccine for that person?
What are the risks versus benefits to other people?
What else can we do to prevent an infection?

Infectious disease control methods

The developed countries have eliminated or controlled many of the environmental sources of contagious disease by manipulating our environment.

indoor plumbing
water treatment facilities
screens on windows
air purification
wear gloves to prepare food
inspect restaurants
signs in public restrooms reminding us to wash our hands.

Hand hygiene saves lives. — Hygiene remains vital to infection prevention even when immunizations are given.

However, we haven’t eliminated another source of infectious disease- other humans.

Rarely do we isolate or quarantine people with infections. Most of us have gone to work, school or social events with symptoms suggestive of infection- a cough, runny nose, upset stomach- putting our friends and colleagues at risk.

This coronavirus pandemic is serious. We don’t yet have a vaccine or effective treatments. To protect ourselves, our familes, and our entire communities we should all be practicing social distancing until advised otherwise. Please review these guidelines to prevent spead of this disease.