Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
Hans argued New York’s intensity was shaped by density, subway crowding, travel, and compressed caseloads, and Richard referenced a study claiming Mennonites had higher mortality in the Spanish flu due to active social networks; what early Christian assumptions about gathering, hospitality, and responsibility might help you rethink social closeness when it becomes dangerous?
Another way to ask: How should Christians rethink gathering and hospitality when being close together can harm people? What early Christian beliefs about community and responsibility can guide us?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript implies that Christians must balance love expressed through closeness with love expressed through restraint when closeness becomes a danger to others. The responsibility is to prevent spread, especially in tight social networks, even when that feels unnatural to a community shaped by frequent gathering.
- Hans says New York’s severity is tied to “subway cars… crammed with people,” which accelerates spread and compresses cases into a short time.
- Richard adds New York is an “international hub” with lots of travel, possibly worsening early spread.
- Hans says outbreaks differ by “social characteristics” of communities, so one model won’t fit all.
- Richard references a circulating article about Mennonites in the Spanish flu with “higher mortality,” attributed to “social networks… more active” and not doing “as good a job of social distancing.”
- Richard’s anecdote about Hasidic Jews: weddings/funerals and no distancing led to rapid case increase (30 to 180), giving him “a little pause” because it “reminds me very much of the plain Anabaptist community.”