There have been numerous times in history when God’s people faced epidemics. In 1527, the city of Wittenberg experienced a deadly plague. Although that situation differs from ours in many ways, we can profit from reading Martin Luther’s encouragement that Christians take reasonable precautions, but also remember to love their neighbors amidst it all.

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

[full letter here]