Kepler Gives a Virus Briefing

(4 Minute Read. 3Jun2020)

Kepler ponders the virus

Woof! Woof!
This is Kepler, Master’s Jack Russell terrier, writing another article for Master’s Bible-Science Guy Blog.

Master tells me that people like the way I think and how I report my thinkings. So today I’m sharing my thinkings on this Wuhan virus thing that has upended my state, country, and world.

As of June 2, 2020, over 380,000 have died worldwide from the Wuhan virus. Over 106,000 have died from it in the United States, over 5,500 in my state, and 992 in my county. It’s the worst scourge in the U.S. since the 1918-19 Spanish Flu pandemic.

Humans seem to be complaining a lot about changes they have to make because of the virus. I don’t know what the big deal is! I myself have been practicing virus-defense behaviors long before they became policies. They were a gift to me from the Great Creator who built these habits into me.

Hand Washing

I’m astonished that humans have to be admonished about hand washing. Master will tell you that from puppyhood I have been obsessed with self-cleaning! Whenever I come in from outside, I wash my paws scrupulously with my super-scrubber tongue. Frequently I wash and lick other parts of myself, too. After I do that hygiene task, I usually notice Master and Missus physically distancing from me!

Face Masks

I don’t wear a face mask, but several of my campground buddies wear masks on walks like the one on this Dalmatian.

I did have to wear a funny kind of mask once after a vet visit. When I was about a year old, Master explained that he had to send me to the vet to get “tutored.” I was eager to go because I like learning new things.

The vet was very kind, but I don’t remember much about what happened. Master said the vet “put me under” for the tutoring. It was never clear to me what I was under.

When Missus picked me up, I couldn’t remember what I had been tutored about. I was very glad that Master did not quiz me on my lesson when we got home. I did feel pretty sleepy and sore for a day or so.

Kepler’s cone collar “face mask”

After I got tutored at the vet, I wore this kind of strange face mask for two weeks to keep me from grooming myself. The vet said grooming could interfere with the tutoring.

I should find out if the CDC endorses this kind of facial protection against the virus.

Physical Distancing

I don’t know why Talkers in the news are making such a big issue out of what they call social distancing which is actually physical distancing. As long as I can remember, people have been telling me, “Kepler, back! Get back!”

For all six years of my life, I have tried to do my duty as a friendly host and welcome visitors excitedly when they come to the house. But Master has consistently enforced a firm physical distancing policy. “Down, Kepler,” he says. “Get down!”

When guests sit on our couch, it’s obvious to me that someone furry should nestle in close and provide warmth and affection. But Master keeps saying, “Off, Kepler! Get off!” and directing me to my own cushioned bed. Master must have been thinking about the virus ever since he first got me!

On the other hand, I am the one enforcing physical distancing measures when we go camping. At our campsite I use my loud voice to tell everyone who walks by to keep back from my humans. Master does not seem appreciative, however. He insists I lie down and be quiet. But inside I am still a stalwart defender of our territory.

Staying Home

Officials are commending everyone for staying home. Apparently that is a very noble thing. I am feeling quite a hero, because I am pretty good at staying home.

Henry

My longtime buddy Henry, who left us shortly before the virus became a big issue (see Kepler Remembers Henry), would have been a scofflaw offender regarding this public health measure. Naughty Henry ran away from home any chance he could.

When Missus would try to catch him so he could once again Stay Home, then Henry would keep practicing physical distancing. I think it was pretty exasperating for Missus, but she is amazingly patient and forbearing. She never even says those loud things I hear from some humans, when they call out words and names as if they are praying. But somehow I don’t think they’re really talking to the Great Creator with reverence — even though they are saying His Names over and over. Master says those names are set apart and only to be used with highest respect.

But, back to my point, I am usually a Good Boy and I stay home. Even if a squirrel or raccoon or a neighbor’s barbecue just cannot be resisted, I do come home quite soon. I know who fills my food bowl! So I’ll give myself a virus-defense check mark for compliance with the Stay Home order.

Other Virus Defense Health Measures

I would like to share several other personal tips for staying healthy. I am very attentive to keeping variety in my diet. I nibble certain wispy grasses that I deem a delicacy, and I snatch a few goose droppings if I can manage to elude Master’s vigilance. I also recommend chewing used tissues, burger wrappers, and stubs of ice cream cones off the sidewalk. The humans don’t seem to support these dietary supplements, but hey look, I haven’t gotten the Wuhan virus, have I?

Other health measures I pursue are digging in the dirt daily and plenty of fur-scratching. Constant running and jumping goes without saying. Interspersed with the licking, gnawing, digging, and scratching should be naps.

Kepler Asleep

A suggested nap schedule for maximum health benefit is post-breakfast nap, mid-morning nap, pre-lunch nap, post-lunch nap, mid-afternoon nap, early evening nap, after-dinner nap, and pre-sleep nap. Even a doggie immune system benefits from plenty of sleep.

Master is in favor of my careful health routine. Proverbs 12:10 says that a righteous man has regard for the life of his animal.

Wuhan Virus Lockdown

What is my thinking on the nationwide lockdown? Was it necessary?

Master, Missus, and I got along just fine staying home by ourselves. Shutting down the country had very little personal effect on us. But I feel for all the dogs of the 40 million people who were suddenly unemployed due to closing businesses. Instead of being able to sleep most of the day while their owners were at work, these dogs had to endure new attention, demands, and activity.

The latest CDC estimate for the Wuhan virus infection fatality rate is about 0.26%. This is only about double the fatality rate for flu. We don’t shut down the country for the flu, and I don’t think we should have shut it down for the Wuhan virus.
(See CDC: Coronavirus fatality rate could be as low as 0.26%.)

I think such a drastic step was unnecessary and unwise. I think it was economically and politically misguided. I would have preferred a liberty approach where people take responsibility for their own health and use virus defense measures as they see fit and accept the consequences of their actions.

I also disagreed with the stimulus payment. Where will the money come from? Eventually it has to come from the people — it just adds to the country’s debt.

If I were Governor or President, I would NOT have shut down my state or country. That’s another reason why I’m running for President! (Click Kepler for President).
My campaign slogan is Alere Flammam Veritatis.
Vote Kepler for President in November 2020.

So that’s how things look from my Dog House!

Till next time, this is Kepler signing off. Woof! Woof!

Questions to Ponder

1. How do your pets glorify the Great Creator?
2. Since we all will die eventually, whether from the Wuhan virus or otherwise, are you ready to die and meet the Great Creator?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

For Christ and His Kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria.

Read the seven prequels on the Wuhan virus:
1. The Eden Virus
2. Why the Virus?
3. Handling Virus Fear
4. Plague, Pestilence, & Pandemic
5. Virus and the Bible
6. Virus Defenses (with video)
7. Virus Prayers

Read the sequel on the Wuhan virus:
9. Virus Stimulus Package

This is the 41st article in a series of blog posts on a precocious Jack Russell terrier named Kepler. Numbers 1-8 are by Kepler’s master, the BibleScienceGuy. Numbers 9-41 are by Kepler himself.
Read the prequels:
1. Why I Named Our Puppy “Kepler”
2. Kepler’s Kind
3. Kepler’s Lopsided Trade
4. Kepler’s Amazing Nose
5. Kepler’s Business Card
6. Kepler & the Psycho Squirrel (with video)
7. Taunting Kepler
8. Adam and Puppies

The following posts are by Kepler:
9. Who Taught Kepler?
10. Kepler Gets a Buddy (with video)
11. Kepler Chases a Squirrel (with video)
12. Kepler’s Complaint
13. Kepler’s To-Do List
14. Kepler and the Football Weekend
15. Kepler’s Favorite Store
16. Kepler at a Truck Stop
17. Kepler & Henry Catch a Squirrel
18. Kepler Finds Killdeer Eggs
19. Kepler Finds Robin Eggs
20. Kepler Lives to Tell the Tale
21. Kepler, Bears, & Raccoons
22. Kepler Mentors Henry
23. Kepler Gets a Bear
24. Kepler Finds Strange Eggs
25. Kepler Finds Duck Eggs
26. Kepler Gives Thanks
27. Kepler’s Newest Enemy
28. Kepler Loves Bulldogs
29. Kepler Ponders Snow
30. Kepler Wants to Move to Australia
31. Kepler’s Dating Profile
32. Kepler Meets Skunk
33. Kepler Wants to Be Good
34. Kepler on Guard
35. Kepler Chews On Grammar
36. Kepler for President
37. Kepler for President: Grins & Growls #1
38. Kepler for President: Grins & Growls #2
39. Kepler’s Water Guns
40. Kepler Remembers Henry (with video)

Read the sequel:
42. Kepler’s Campaign Advice

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
“for the defense of the gospel”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 1:16)
Wednesday June 3, 2020 A.D.

But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind? (Job 12:7-10)

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