Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
The Damaging Effects of Social Isolation During COVID-19

The Damaging Effects of Social Isolation During COVID-19

Now that the election is over, I hope we can have reasonable and rational discussions about the various governmental responses to COVID-19 and their impact on society. From the beginning of this pandemic, I have been critical of the way various government officials have responded and dealt with this problem.

I have voiced concerns of an imbalanced media that has focused almost exclusively on a single data point – the number of positive cases and reported deaths – which has subsequently heightened fear in the population and allowed for excessively restrictive policies to be passed without calculating the health impact of social isolation, making it difficult to create an effective but also balanced community response.

Below, I summarize studies that have documented the negative health impact of social isolation on people. It becomes quite evident that certain leaders have made public policy decisions that are based on, essentially, one data point – COVID transmission – while ignoring the negative health impact of forced social isolation in their communities.

The Evidence

  • A systematic review of forty studies found a significant association between social isolation and increased all-causes of death, increased cardiovascular disease, and worsening mental health. The researchers wrote, “Policy makers and health and local government commissioners should consider social isolation and loneliness as important upstream factors impacting on morbidity and mortality due to their effects on cardiovascular and mental health” (Leigh-Hunt, N., et al, An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness, Public Health; 152 (Nov 2017): 157–171.).
  • In another study, researchers found that after controlling for depression, physical co-morbidities, age, gender, living alone status, employment, and accommodation that social isolation was significantly associated, to a degree that was clinically relevant, with worsening physical health and wellbeing (Hawton, A., et al., The impact of social isolation on the health status and health-related quality of life of older people, Quality of Life Research; 20 (2011):57–67).
  • A study of social isolation on White, Black, and Hispanic elderly individuals found that social isolation is strongly associated with physical and mental health problems in elderly populations of Whites and Blacks and worsening mental health in Hispanics (Miyawaki, C., Association of social isolation and health across different racial and ethnic groups of older Americans, Ageing Society (2015 Nov); 35(10): 2201–2228).
  • In a study of over 20,000 older people (58% women) from Asia, Europe, and America during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that social distancing negatively affects the physical and mental health of older people (Sepúlveda-Loyola, W., et al. Impact of Social Isolation Due to COVID-19 on Health in Older People: Mental and Physical Effects and Recommendations. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging (2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1469-2).
  • Studies have found that loneliness and social isolation alters gene expression in white blood cells, which decreases the body’s ability to fight viral infections (Cole, S., et al., Social regulation of gene expression in human leukocytes; Genome Biology 2007, 8:R189).
  • A study of over 3,000 adults aged 57 to 85 found that social distancing increased the sense of social isolation, which directly predicted higher rates of depression and anxiety, while social connection was directly associated with lower rates of anxiety and depression in older adults. The researchers concluded that “Public health initiatives could reduce perceived isolation by facilitating social network integration and participation in community activities, thereby protecting against the development of affective disorders [depression and anxiety]” (Santini, Z, et al., Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): a longitudinal mediation analysis, The Lancet Public Health; Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2020, pages e62-e70).

This is just a brief sampling of the multitude of studies that have documented the negative impact of social isolation on health and wellbeing. The facts are clear: Social isolation worsens physical health and mental health and increases all causes of death. Yet, such mandates continue to be forced upon us with little or no regard for their damaging effects.

Additionally, the increased stress from social isolation and the worsening in anxiety and depression can trigger multiple other health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, impaired wound healing, worsened pain states, increased inflammatory factors, which increase the risk of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dementia.

Not only have these mandatory social restrictions contributed to health problems for millions, but many who already had chronic health problems have missed or postponed appointments with their physicians, potentially worsening their health and putting them at a greater risk of complications and even death. Others have suffered unnecessarily as surgeries of all types have been postponed.

The mandatory shutdowns of businesses have destroyed many family businesses that have provided income for their families for generations, and now these families not only have increased stress from new financial pressures, but their children and children’s children no longer have the business to provide for them and their families. The negative impact of the various governments’ mandates will be felt for generations to come.

While I am critical of the superficial level of decision-making made by so many public officials, I am even more disappointed with the Christian community for being so easily manipulated by fear into closing their doors and abandoning their mission to take the gospel to the world and minister to their communities in this time of increased stress.

Many Christian leaders have failed to remember that the primary purpose of the church is to promote the gospel, which brings people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ so they will receive eternal life. However, this COVID pandemic and the fear of death of this mortal life have caused many churches to pull back and conform to governmental restrictions on our religious liberty. Who knows how many people have died during these COVID restrictions without having received the gospel, people who would have been brought to Jesus had the churches remained open?

Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NKJV). We could say, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains an extra 30 years of earthly life and loses his own soul?”

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of hope, of love, of truth – and perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). But the Bible says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV84). The roar of the lion doesn’t directly injure; it incites fear, and fear causes people to freeze, to stop thinking, to run away, and to act to save self. Fear and love are opposites. As fear goes up, love goes down; as love goes up, fear goes down.

During this past year have you heard the roar of our enemy the lion? Have you heard the drumbeat of “fear, fear, fear”? Have you felt the pressure to isolate, to stay at home, to stop ministering in your community, to shut the doors of your church? Have you seen love go down in our society? Have you seen people more and more focused on themselves? Have you seen the arguments at grocery stores, in parking lots, “wear your mask, get back six feet, don’t walk down that aisle”? Where is the love, the compassion, the respect? Has concern for this mortal life eclipsed concern for your neighbor’s eternal life? Have we allowed community leaders and media outlets to so fill our minds with a worldview of fear that we have lost sight of Christ and our mission to fulfill His commission to take the gospel to the world?

What makes this even more incredible is that this has not happened with a disease like the bubonic plague (Black Death), which kills nearly 100 percent of the people who contract it and which killed up to 50 percent of the population in 14th-century Europe. No – this panic has happened in response to a relatively benign virus in which 99.5 to 99.8% of people who contract it survive!

What I am saying is this: The biggest threat to our society is not the virus itself; it is the fear we have allowed to take root in our hearts that has caused us to stop thinking, to focus almost exclusively on one data point, and then take actions (social isolation) that injure ourselves, our communities – now and for generations to come – and obstruct the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to stop focusing on the virus, stop listening to the fear-promoting media, and step back, refocus on Jesus, expand your perspective beyond a single data-point, consider the larger reality and the impact of any intervention, and consider all of this under the umbrella of love for others, valuing the kingdom of God and eternal life over the self-first kingdoms of this world and temporal life.

***

For those inquiring about what I think is a rational, reasonable public response to COVID-19, it is to provide citizens with information as it becomes available and to allow them to determine the level of risk they are willing to take without government-mandated restrictions on liberty. I would recommend supporting any action that does not interfere with individual liberty and the gospel commission, such as removing objects that people share (pens, magazine, etc.), increased handwashing, making available hand sanitizers, stop handshaking (something I personally did several years ago simply because I was tired of getting common colds), voluntary mask wearing, voluntary increased spacing of seating, increased cleaning of common surfaces, individual testing for the virus when indicated, etc. But any actions that mandate closure of churches or businesses, or which prohibits ministry to people in need, including prohibitions on families from visiting their relatives in hospitals and nursing homes, should be opposed.


Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia