Article May 26, 2003 Issue

prayer vs. contagion

By Beverly Goldsmith

THE SARS THREAT IS HAVING DRASTIC ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES in Southeast Asia, a region that relies heavily on the tourism industry. Severe quarantine restrictions, as well as the general fear of catching the virus, have been keeping travelers at home. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways has been forced to cancel 45 percent of its passengers flights, and there has been a similar impact on Australia's Qantas Airways. The downturn in passenger traffic has hurt the already fragile airline industry, and has in addition reduced the amount of revenue flowing into countries such as Singapore.

While the financial effect of SARS is serious, the overriding concern is for people's health and well-being. And, although the threat is widespread, I do not accept that we are helpless against it.

I've found it helpful in cases of contagion to rely on a spiritual approach to self-care and healing. This approach is described fully in Mary Baker Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In this empowering spiritual resource, the author shows how to stay healthy, explaining the connection between mind and body, and the relationship that exists between understanding one's spirituality and feeling safe and well.