Faith in the Face of COVID-19

Book excerpt: She Endured 9/11 . . . Would She Survive COVID-19? It was March 2020, and rumors of a mysterious virus filled the air. But busy New York City tour guide Christina Ray Stanton paid little attention. After all, she and her husband had survived 9/11; it would take more than a virus to slow them--or their city--down. But within days, Stanton saw her beloved Manhattan become a ghost town as fear of the novel coronavirus swept the nation. Seeking safety, she and her husband left the city to stay with family in Florida. They didn't realize that rather than escaping the storm, they were heading into the eye of the hurricane: Stanton was already infected with COVID-19 and would soon be fighting for her life from a hospital bed hundreds of miles from home. In this unforgettable first-person account, Stanton shares the physical, mental and emotional agony she endured as the virus ravaged her body. Given a 50/50 chance of survival, she didn't lose hope. She relied on her community and her faith to sustain her through the painful journey. Along the way, she learned new lessons in gratitude, emerging stronger, more resilient, and with a renewed sense of purpose. This stirring story of one woman's battle with COVID-19 will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by the coronavirus pandemic or who has endured hardship. Discover the power of faith, family and friends to help us survive our darkest days.