The outbreak of the Coronavirus in Wuhan China has raised concerns nationwide about health and public safety. As of February 11, 1,100 people have been killed by the virus, with 45,000 people infected worldwide, and the numbers continuing to grow. Adoption agencies in particular have been hurt by the recent outbreak nationwide by having to put a hold on adoptions from China.
Multiple airlines have restricted flights to China as a result of the outbreak. Delta Airlines for example has suspended flights from the US to China from February 6 to April 30. States like Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan all face new challenges for adoptive families wanting to bring their child home from China.
“Generally to bring a child home from China, the process is going to be about 18 to 24 months,” said Lifeline’s Director of International Adoption Karla Thrasher to ABC 3340. Thrasher says you can now add an additional three months to that wait. “Lifeline has about eight families that are currently facing delays in bringing their children home,” said Thrasher.
In Lexington Kentucky, Nightlight Christian Adoptions is especially hurt by the outbreak as several of their adoptive families have children in the epicenter of the virus, Wuhan China.
“We’ve had families calling every day and say they are very concerned about their child,” said Donna Poynter with Nightlight Christian Adoptions reporting to WKYT News in Kentucky. “They want to know what’s going on and how do they know their child hasn’t contracted this virus and that they are okay. There really isn’t a way for us to know.”
Based out of the Grand Rapids in the state of Michigan, Families Through Adoption Executive Director Char Lanning explained the emotional turmoil families are feeling to WWMT News in Michigan.
“Can you imagine your child being on the other side of the world, you know there’s a disease, you know people are dying, there’s no one there that you know of that’s meeting their basic needs, and here you sit,” she said.
All the agencies can do is encourage the families to be patience and wait for the virus to subside. Char Lanning gives important insight to all families anxious throughout this endeavor:
“In life we never have control, whether we’re gonna walk down the street and our child is gonna get hit by a car, or they’re gonna get a disease, or if it’s gonna be a pandemic,” she said, “we don’t know the number of days we’re gonna have on this Earth, and so we need to take each day and build it to the best of our abilities.”
Adoption can be complex and confusing, especially if you wish to adopt from China. Call the Adoption Law Firm and set up a Consultation today to help provide you with the help you need to bring your child home today.
My name is John Pierce Lemire. Born and raised in a Christian home in Alabama, I have always had a strong passion for justice. Spending most of my education being home schooled, I had the opportunity to compete in Speech and Debate Tournaments across the country during my high school years. The invaluable experience I gained through Speech and Debate led me to pursue a career as a lawyer. Having graduated high school, I am now a Junior studying a Bachelor of Science in Economics at Auburn University At Montgomery, with plans to attend Law School and become an attorney.
Kentucky family hoping to adopt 9 children
