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The whole thing is strange. It's true that there have been no formal studies that hydroxychloroquine helps to cure the Coronavirus. But long use for malaria show that it's not harmful for people to take. Since there is some evidence that it helps, the appropriate thing to do is to let doctors prescribe it for their patients if they want.

As to the process to develop a vaccine, that needs to go through the regular process. It's certainly appropriate to speed up the paperwork part of things. Often, when a new drug is sent to the FDA for approval it goes to the end of the line where it sits in the queue. Speeding that up could cut a year off the approval process. But don't shortcut the science.

The FDA's listed side effects for approved use, of course unapproved uses may increase these, especially for those with undiagnosed underlying conditions:

SIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of PLAQUENIL or other 4-aminoqunoline compounds. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders : Bone marrow failure, anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Hemolysis reported in individuals with glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency.

Cardiac disorders : Cardiomyopathy which may result in cardiac failure and in some cases a fatal outcome (see WARNINGS and OVERDOSAGE). PLAQUENIL prolongs the QT interval. Ventricular arrhythmias and torsade de pointes have been reported in patients taking PLAQUENIL (see OVERDOSAGE and DRUG INTERACTIONS).

Ear and labyrinth disorders : Vertigo, tinnitus, nystagmus, nerve deafness, deafness.

Eye disorders : Irreversible retinopathy with retinal pigmentation changes (bull's eye appearance), visual field defects (paracentral scotomas) and visual disturbances (visual acuity), maculopathies (macular degeneration), decreased dark adaptation, color vision abnormalities, corneal changes (edema and opacities) including corneal deposition of drug with or without accompanying symptoms (halo around lights, photophobia, blurred vision).

Gastrointestinal disorders : Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

General disorders and administration site conditions : Fatigue.

Hepatobiliary disorders : Liver function tests abnormal, hepatic failure acute.

Immune system disorders : Urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm

Metabolism and nutrition disorders : Decreased appetite, hypoglycemia, porphyria, weight decreased.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders : Sensorimotor disorder, skeletal muscle myopathy or neuromyopathy leading to progressive weakness and atrophy of proximal muscle groups, depression of tendon reflexes and abnormal nerve conduction.

Nervous system disorders : Headache, dizziness, seizure, ataxia and extrapyramidal disorders such as dystonia, dyskinesia, and tremor have been reported with this class of drugs.

Psychiatric disorders : Affect/emotional lability, nervousness, irritability, nightmares, psychosis, suicidal behavior.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : Rash, pruritus, pigmentation disorders in skin and mucous membranes, hair color changes, alopecia. Dermatitis bullous eruptions including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome), photosensitivity, dermatitis exfoliative, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). AGEP has to be distinguished from psoriasis, although PLAQUENIL may precipitate attacks of psoriasis. It may be associated with pyrexia and hyperleukocytosis.
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Ocular
Irreversible retinal damage has been observed in some patients who had received hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Significant risk factors for retinal damage include daily doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate greater than 6.5 mg/kg (5 mg/kg base) of actual body weight, durations of use greater than five years, subnormal glomerular filtration, use of some concomitant drug products such as tamoxifen citrate and concurrent macular disease.

A baseline ocular examination is recommended within the first year of starting PLAQUENIL. The baseline exam should include: best corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA), an automated threshold visual field (VF) of the central 10 degrees (with retesting if an abnormality is noted), and spectral domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

For individuals with significant risk factors (daily dose of hydroxychloroquine sulfate greater than 5.0 mg/kg base of actual body weight, subnormal glomerular filtration, use of tamoxifen citrate or concurrent macular disease) monitoring should include annual examinations which include BCVA, VF and SD-OCT. For individuals without significant risk factors, annual exams can usually be deferred until five years of treatment.

In individuals of Asian descent, retinal toxicity may first be noticed outside the macula. In patients of Asian descent, it is recommended that visual field testing be performed in the central 24 degrees instead of the central 10 degrees.

It is recommended that hydroxychloroquine be discontinued if ocular toxicity is suspected and the patient should be closely observed given that retinal changes (and visual disturbances) may progress even after cessation of therapy.

Cardiac Effects, Including Cardiomyopathy And QT prolongation
Postmarketing cases of lifethreatening and fatal cardiomyopathy have been reported with use of PLAQUENIL as well as with use of chloroquine. Patients may present with atrioventricular block, pulmonary hypertension, sick sinus syndrome or with cardiac complications. ECG findings may include atrioventricular, right or left bundle branch block. Signs or symptoms of cardiac compromise have appeared during acute and chronic treatment. Clinical monitoring for signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy is advised, including use of appropriate diagnostic tools such as ECG to monitor patients for cardiomyopathy during PLAQUENIL therapy. Chronic toxicity should be considered when conduction disorders (bundle branch block/atrioventricular heart block) or biventricular hypertrophy are diagnosed. If cardiotoxicity is suspected, prompt discontinuation of PLAQUENIL may prevent life-threatening complications.

PLAQUENIL prolongs the QT interval. Ventricular arrhythmias and torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking PLAQUENIL (see OVERDOSAGE). Therefore, PLAQUENIL should not be administered with other drugs that have the potential to prolong the QT interval (see DRUG INTERACTIONS).

Worsening Of Psorias Is And Porphyria
Use of PLAQUENIL in patients with psoriasis may precipitate a severe attack of psoriasis. When used in patients with porphyria the condition may be exacerbated. The preparation should not be used in these conditions unless in the judgment of the physician the benefit to the patient outweighs the possible hazard.

Proximal Myopathy And Neuropathy
Skeletal muscle myopathy or neuropathy leading to progressive weakness and atrophy of proximal muscle groups, depressed tendon reflexes, and abnormal nerve conduction, have been reported. Muscle and nerve biopsies have been associated with curvilinear bodies and muscle fiber atrophy with vacuolar changes. Assess muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes periodically in patients on long-term therapy with PLAQUENIL.

Neuropsychiatric events, Including Suicidality
Suicidal behavior has been rarely reported in patients treated with PLAQUENIL.

Hypoglycemia
PLAQUENIL has been shown to cause severe hypoglycemia including loss of consciousness that could be life threatening in patients treated with or without antidiabetic medications (see DRUG INTERACTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients treated with PLAQUENIL should be warned about the risk of hypoglycemia and the associated clinical signs and symptoms. Patients presenting with clinical symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia during treatment with PLAQUENIL should have their blood glucose checked and treatment reviewed as necessary.
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PRECAUTIONS
General
Use with caution in patients with gastrointestinal, neurological, or blood disorders, and in those with a sensitivity to quinine.

Hepatic/Renal Disease
Antimalarial compounds should be used with caution in patients with hepatic disease or alcoholism, or in conjunction with known hepatotoxic drugs. A reduction in dosage may be necessary in patients with hepatic or renal disease, as well as in those taking medicines known to affect these organs.

Hematologic Effects /Laboratory Tests
Antimalarial compounds should be used with caution in patients with hepatic disease or alcoholism or in conjunction with known hepatotoxic drugs. Periodic blood cell counts should be performed if patients are given prolonged therapy. If any severe blood disorder such as aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia, appears which is not attributable to the disease under treatment, consider discontinuation of PLAQUENIL.

PLAQUENIL should be administered with caution in patients having glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency.

Dermatologic Effects
Dermatologic reactions to PLAQUENIL may occur and, therefore, proper care should be exercised when it is administered to any patient receiving a drug with a significant tendency to produce dermatitis.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term studies in animals have not been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of PLAQUENIL.

The mutagenic potential of hydroxychloroquine was not evaluated. However, chloroquine has been shown to be a catalytic inhibitor of DNA repair enzymes (topoisomerase II) and to produce weak genotoxic effects through this mode of action.

Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Human pregnancies resulting in live births have been reported in the literature and no increase in the rate of birth defects has been demonstrated. Embryonic deaths and malformations of anophthalmia and microphthalmia in the offspring have been reported when pregnant rats received large doses of chloroquine.

Nursing Mothers
Caution should be exercised when administering PLAQUENIL to nursing women. It has been demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine administered to nursing women is excreted in human milk and it is known that infants are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects of 4-aminoquinolines.

Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy have not been established in the chronic use of PLAQUENIL for systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children. Children are especially sensitive to the 4-aminoquinoline compounds. Most reported fatalities followed the accidental ingestion of chloroquine, sometimes in small doses (0.75 g or 1 g in one 3-year-old child). Patients should be strongly warned to keep these drugs out of the reach of children (see OVERDOSAGE).

Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of PLAQUENIL did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. However, this drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Catholic Bishops (including our own) have capitulated without any resistance whatsoever to the secular government even stopping Easter PASCHA from us.
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HI, I am new to this site and have only posted a couple of questions and responded to a few posts, not to mention that I am the most needy person here for the grace of God. What I share is from the bottom of my heart, which cries out to the Lord for mercy.

I am in agreement with this quote. In the beginning, no one knew what we were dealing with and the Bishops of the of the United States were justifiably prudent and cautious. However, now in December 2020,when we see many of the same strictures in place and few Bishops saying anything, one must think what their motives really are. One receives the impression that they are walking lock step in pace with the culture both in the US and in the world. One begins to wonder where their true loyalty really rests. In my unholy opinion, it appears that they have grown comfortable as being the religious "go to people" of the culture. They, as a body, seem not to be interested in prophecy, but rather in using big words to justify their not having the fire of the Lord to be the prophets they are called to be. When one perceives the Church as a societal institution, rather than a Divine one in which the DIVINE ONE walks and for Whom one must make every effort to please, this may be part of an answer. The opinion of a sinner, such as myself, would be that the vast majority of the Bishops, at least in the US, are more concerned with being in step with Rome and playing nicey nice with the culture, than they are radical obedience to Jesus...obedience that might cost them their coveted position in this culture, which has turned its back on God and who they, in all of their religious verbosity, are doing little to stop. There are many people, such as myself, searching for the Lord and the place of repentance where that may be possible.. Shepherds such as these, in my opinion, are not presenting an answer needed. We forget, this is about Jesus and our relating to Him. It seems to me that we have excessed on the side of collective relationship to Jesus through the Church and have neglected personal relationship to Him in the soul. It appears also that we have used that collective relationship as a bully pulpit in the lives and consciences of "the little ones", seeking to conform them to us rather than Him. It seems that this is really about power to both parties. It is Christ that I stand in need of, not the precisely written pronouncements of the USCCB. If they are really the "descendants of the Apostles" where are the chains? Where is the weeping over the lost sheep? Where is the hunger, nakedness and
constant peril that followed Paul? Where is the poverty? What do we see? Celebration, celebrity, verbosity, inclusion and a clericalism that is every bit as deadly as the one that was a target of the Holy Father. This is all about JESUS, not us. It's almost as if they are afraid to use that Holy Name in public.

There is a song that I remember from the 70's that has become my theme song in all of this wandering in the desert as we are led there by the USCCB...it is by Andre Crouch "Jesus is the Answer"...we too are the answer only so far as we relate to, preach and do good works with Him at the center.

[/quote] In the beginning, no one knew what we were dealing with and the Bishops of the of the United States were justifiably prudent and cautious. However, now in December 2020,when we see many of the same strictures in place and few Bishops saying anything, one must think what their motives really are. [/quote]

I suspect the Bishops are trying to protect their flocks and prevent the death toll from this virus from escalating further than it already has. God calls every Christian to die for the faith but not necessarily for a virus. Over 275,000 Americans are dead due to this disease. We waged two wars over 9/11 which killed considerably less. I don't want to be a passive carrier and infect my parish priest who is around 65. Perhaps he is prepared to die personally but he could potentially serve his flock for another 10+ years. Same with my parents and my girlfriend's parents, coworkers, etc.. I know a few quite a few people with preexisting conditions who are young. You can't isolate everyone who is older or who has preexisting conditions, there is just too many.

My only complaint with the ecclesiastical powers is the lack of outdoor services. These are relatively safe and should be the main stay even in winter. Modern heating of churches is relatively new. Foot ball games are attended by people of all ages in the freezing cold.

Also the reliance of live-streamed liturgies versus home serves. In the Easter that would be Reader's Services such as Typika, Vespers, Molebens and Akathists. In the West, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosaries and in home reading of the Sunday readings.

Thanks Devin,

This of course could be the case and you are definitely giving the Bishops the benefit of the doubt out of a heart of love. I salute that. However, since no one knows any of their hearts, this would only be a conjecture, a loving one for sure, but still conjecture. As for me, I am not as sure, or perhaps as loving, as you are, regarding these things and my take would also be conjecture. Given my observations in the body of the post, I would see it differently, with a sorrowful heart, but still differently. While some of what you say rings true, I am not one to come down on the side of the common narrative supplied by the news, government and taken up as a mantra by the hierarchy. I am not sure about the statistics that drive this narrative for many reasons, timeliness and veracity in reporting not the least of these. It is too easy to manipulate statistics to achieve a predetermined course of action.

I am also not a person for "streamed services". In so doing, the human element is removed, even though a cyber experience is had. I am not one for this type of relationship with either the Lord or my brothers and sisters. It is hard to lay hands on someone through a computer monitor. Human touch is essential to the Gospel. Being an older man, I admit to being resentful of the intrusion, collectivization and domination of human beings by technology in any matter let alone religion. It has its place I know. I just prefer people.

You mention God calling us to die for the faith, not necessarily for the virus. Spot on. But what if they intersect as they did for the priests that ministered to the flock during any of the plagues, or in leper colonies? What of Mother Teresa's order working among the disease ridden poor in the slums of India? Surely at times the call of God is dangerous (in fact I almost believe that His call is mostly dangerous). While your point is well taken and certainly wise as a general rule, we must not rule out that God may in fact call us to go against the grain of any commonly held given an "ex cathedra" authority by a culture that seeks to dominate and marginalize the Faith, by reason of well documented and statistically correct logic. Don't get me wrong. I, too, have many comorbidities and would be considered "older" (although my wife says that I act like a child at times).The last thing I want is to infect anyone or become infected myself. I wear a mask when I go to Mass. I sing "happy birthday to you" twice when washing my hands and also add "and many more" just to be on the safe side. We can and should take all the precautions we can, but we should still go about our business serving the Lord. Self preservation, even based upon statistics and logic, can become an idol. If I die from the virus while serving the Lord, so be it. I will make sure as far as I do not give it to anyone else, but I am going forward.

I would trust the motives of the Bishops much more in this issue, if I saw them sticking their necks out for the Faith in others, not the least of which is giving the Eucharist to politicians who seek to enshrine Roe v Wade.

Great point regarding the reasoning for outdoor services. We sacrifice for football, work etc...why not endure weather for the Mass? I am totally with you on this.

Again, brother, I respect your opinion and agree with it in some ways. I, however, see a different side. Pray for me.

s.o.d.