Masks

The governor of this state has issued a quarantine for the entire state.  In addition, each health department for each county has responded with their own recommendations for how to stop or at least slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

People actually follow the advice of  "Shelter in Place" according to their own interpretation.  Some still believe that this is just a political thing and do not take it seriously.  (yes, there may be some strong political undertones regarding the funding and testing) Some act as though there is no information out there.  This is very real.  It is a real virus and despite the origin of it, it continues to make sick and take the lives of many.  We are asked something that is very simple: No non-essential trips.  That means groceries (don't make a bunch of small trips, but 1-2 weeks is sufficient).  Always wear a mask and keep social distance. We do know that the virus is spread through droplets and more forcefully through heavy exercise such as jogging and singing--therefore the mask and no gatherings such as church at this time.

Be aware of that story of the gatherings where people got sick and some died.  Many have been infected.  It may not be someone you know, but probably is someone you know who knows that person.  Many people have lived in this area for generations and many not only know people, but are related to many.

Try to go to the grocery store when it is not peak hours for shopping--early.  You can tell before you step inside by surveying the parking lot.  Take a list with you and follow the list, check out and leave the store.  This is not a time for browsing.

Best source of knowledge on the virus is your local health department (Each county has one), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).  The CDC has even put out a video that instructs how to make a mask that requires no sewing.  Use those old t-shirts.  It may in fact, save your life as well as your loved ones.

Be safe!  Care for others by caring for yourself!  We will get through this and if we follow these guidelines, we will get through it sooner.

Pray for our nation (USA).  Pray for our people. Pray for those who have been infected and those who have died from the infection.  Pray for an immunization.

Thank you, God

Thank you, Gracious God, for the grace that you have given to us in this time of increased anxiety, panic and depression.  In a world that has turned upside down, we either learn to survive or give up.  Much of what we have is what we have to live with at this moment. We have to devise new ways of being and reassess what it means to be the people of God in a world that is now so different, so changed from what we have known up to this point.

If one were to write a book at this juncture of pandemic, what would be its title?  Perhaps the title would be something like, “Masks” and it would be about both the physical masks we wear as well as the social masks we wear---yet address that last subject with view to the past as well as the present.

Palm/Passion Sunday is coming up this Sunday, and we are not allowed to gather in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines as put out by the governor of this state, Governor Jay Inslee.  There are those who would have him taken out of office, but he has done well to ignore what President Trump has so loudly proclaimed about the virus.  Precautions should be taken, and taken now.  We all should be wearing masks because we are all at risk for contracting this virus and possibly also dying from it.  We also have the capability of carrying it without knowing and then passing it on to someone else.  It then becomes a chain of what appears to be unstoppable events.

If one looks at the numbers and compares it to past pandemics, it does not yet seem so bad, yet we are yet to see what happens.  This event is not over.  This pandemic has affected us in that we are all aware by the constant news reports, by the work environment, those who worry greatly about whether or not their business will be in operation when this is over.

We can only hope that somehow we will come out on the other end---after constantly checking on our family and friends, praying that nobody we know personally has become infected or worse yet, it has progressed to death.  Hope is all we have.  It is the only sustainer.

God of Hope, We ask for your presence in our lives this day.  That you would walk with us and assure us that for this day, you will be there.  We are thankful for our lives both past and present.  Help us always to be grateful for the present moment, to live in that moment.  Keep us from either looking at the past as being better or the future looking bleak.  Keep us one day at a time in hope.  For this day, we give you thanks.  Amen.