The panic about coronavirus is really rampant. Schools are closing, institutions are closing, large events have been cancelled. I was saddened to hear Archbishop Etienne in the Archdiocese of Seattle announce that all churches were suspending Masses. This is because the governor has suspended gatherings any larger than 250 people and that applies to sports events and faith-based activities such as churches.
That has not happened in our diocese — yet. I pray that it doesn’t get to that level. I encourage you to join me in prayer and also encourage you to consider the following:
- If you are ill, quarantine yourself. Do not go out into public. Make sure that you check in with a doctor or health-care professional if needed.
- If you are out in public, watch your proximity to others. Do not touch your face as that can introduce germs into your system. Make sure that you wash your hands more than regularly and when you wash your hands, wash them for the proper amount of time. (They say to sing the Happy Birthday song to yourself twice while you wash. That is the amount of time necessary when washing hands.)
- Check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors. Make sure that they are well or that they are getting the help that they need if they are ill.
- Be more cautious if you are over 60 years of age, especially if you have illnesses that might compromise your health (heart conditions, diabetes, et cetera).
- Pray. Pray that we can contain this virus. Pray for those who are seriously affected by it. Pray for those who die because of it.
- Don’t lose hope. We have gone through these kinds of things before and we can face this as well as whatever comes our way. Just don’t panic and don’t lose hope.
I don’t want this to be too heavy for you; so, in my own inimitable way, allow me to lighten this post up with a meme that I stumbled upon this afternoon while on Facebook.