One thing I have learned the past few days is that our country (actually the entire world) is willing to go to some very extreme measures to protect human life.  President Trump has now requested all Americans limit gatherings to 10 people.  That's how many were at my house this past Saturday to celebrate my mom's 75th birthday.  My family of six.  My sister and her fiance.  My mom and dad.

Additionally, Apple, Nike and other major retailers have closed their stores for two weeks.  The library also.  Schools.  Churches.  Professional sports are canceled.  Restaurants are greatly affected.  Long-anticipated marriage ceremonies must be delayed.  Life as we have known it in our prosperous, first world country has come to a screeching halt.

At first I was in despair over all this.  Then I accepted it.  Today I am experiencing a different reaction.  

As I write this on the evening of March 17, 2020, the Johns Hopkins' coronavirus map reports 6,362 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. with 108 of those people having died.

The CDC has been playing a key role in helping America stay informed and safe during this very strange time.  If you look around on the CDC website, you will also find these death rates in the U.S.

623,471 people in 2016
638,169 in 2015
652,639 in 2014
664,435 in 2013
And so on

Those numbers from four years total over 2,500,000 deaths.

The CDC actually reported ten years of data which totaled over 6,000,000 deaths.  That's as many as the Holocaust.

As COVID-19 spreads across our nation, I am thankful our leaders value the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions and want to protect them.  Clearly, America is unequivocally declaring that human life is priceless.  Can we be moved with compassion for the youngest beating hearts as well?  Can we each do our sacrificial part to help these lives also?