Recently, I asked physician, tropical and infectious disease expert, Richard Lane, MD, MPH, TM to join me on my weekly radio show and podcast. He has spent his life in medicine and doing missionary work all over the globe. Dr. Lane is a strong man of the Christian faith, a dedicated scientist and a retired physician. I trust him to carefully review the scientific data and report the truth. And I trust him because he also views science through a biblical lens. I have been following him on Facebook for updates.
I did this podcast to provide truthful information regarding the vaccines for COVID 19. I addressed questions from Christians who shared their concerns. Here are just a few of the questions asked . To hear more, listen to the podcast on ITUNES (Dr. Linda Mintle Show) anytime and share with family and friends.
Question 1: These vaccines were developed in record time. Should we be worried that they were rushed to market and therefore are not safe?
Dr. Lane: In terms of the development of the Pfizer vaccine, their study started with 44,820 volunteers. Of that number, 1270 did not actually participate for various reasons. Another 99 were dropped after the randomization stage and not vaccinated because they didn’t sign a consent form. Overall, 21,720 were vaccinated with one dose and 21,728 received the placebo. This is considered a very large clinical trial. The end result of the study is that the vaccine is safe and efficacious. Anyone who reads this paper and understands science can feel secure in the decision to be immunized.
The data for the Moderna and Pfizer are very similar. Both vaccines used the same biotechnology (mRNA). This report on the Moderna vaccine hints for the first time that the vaccine may prevent asymptomatic infections after the first dose.
Question 2: I have heard that this vaccine will change my DNA. Is this true?
Dr. Lane: This is not true. Creation Ministries International posted a good explanation of the technology. This organization affirms science and the truth of the Bible. It’s a bit of a technical read but explains how mRNA is not a DNA changer. The mRNA of the vaccine cannot even reach the part of the human cell where the DNA of our chromosomes is maintained.
Question 3: What is the incubation time of the virus?
Dr. Lane: Incubation time is simply the time from exposure to development of an infection, the onset of signs and symptoms of the infection. The incubation time is distinct from the time an infected person is contagious. People, who have been exposed, may develop an infection anytime, from 2 days to 14 days, after exposure. Not all exposures lead to infection. A certain viral load, or dose, is needed to cause infection. The use of masks, hand sanitizer, reduction of crowds, and other distancing measures are designed to reduce the dose of the virus during exposure.
Additionally, not all people with an infection will develop the typical respiratory, flu-like, symptoms associated with the disease. They will, however, shed virus and test positive with the nasal swab. These asymptomatic individuals are, nonetheless, contagious to others for a period of at least 10 days from the point at which they begin to shed virus. The contagious period shouldn’t be confused with the 14-day incubation period. An infected person remains contagious from the time of symptom onset or virus detection for a minimum of ten days. The chances of transmission continues for an additional 24 hours after a symptomatic person’s fever breaks.
Question 4: Is it really that important for people in churches to wear masks?
Dr. Lane: Churches pose a particular risk to disease transmission because people are stationary, in close proximity to one another, for long periods of time, increasing the potential spread of viral particles from an infected person to his neighbor. Singing increases the volume of respiratory droplets and viral density within those droplets. Masks reduce the spread of those droplets. Pastors must do more to protect congregates, especially given that many churchgoers are in high risk groups for poor COVID19 outcomes.
Question 5: Should I get the vaccine if I had COVID 19?
Dr. Lane: I agree about the need for the vaccine after recovery from COVID19. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 wane after three months. The levels may go low enough that some people become vulnerable to re-infection. Those individuals need the vaccine to boost specific immunity to the disease. People who recently recovered from COVID19 should wait at least 3-4 weeks after recovery before taking a shot. If you currently have COVID19, you CAN wait up to 90 days for your vaccine. If you currently have active symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC recommends you wait to get vaccinated until you’ve recovered and met the criteria for ending isolation:* At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset AND* At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND* Other symptoms have improved. Two factors are involved with the need to delay vaccination after an infection. First, if you seek the vaccine during the contagious period, you pose a risk of infecting other people, while getting the vaccine. Second, you need to give the body time to recover sufficiently to have the resources to respond to the vaccine. Taking a vaccine too early can lead to a suboptimal immune response, similar to the situation from taking the second booster dose of a vaccine too early.
Question 6: As a Christian, I wonder if this is a set up for the mark of beast discussed in the book of Revelation. What can you say about that?
Dr. Lane: First, remember that God is in our science. He designed our bodies and all wisdom comes from Him. This vaccine does not contain a chip. They do not contain technology to trace you. Vaccines have a large positive impact on human health. No one is being forced to take them. So please don’t confuse your personal and/or political convictions with the meaning of a biblical text. Crosswalk.com makes these distinctions in terms of the mark of the beast: 1) Identification of the mark will be deliberate, not covert. 2) It will require Christians to intentionally reject Christ. 3) It is tied to the worship of the Beast and vaccinations are not about worship.
Please, do not listen to fear mongering, rumors, and celebrities who are not schooled in theology or science. Seek the truth. People’s lives are at stake.
