I have been reading from
various pages of the CDC website, and I have learned that the coronavirus in
the news has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named
“coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
There are many kinds of
coronaviruses, some more dangerous than others, but many are quite common and
cause the symptoms of the common cold each year during flu season. The
SARS-CoV-2 virus is of the type betacoronavirus, along with MERS-CoV and
SARS-CoV, and all three of these viruses have their origins in bats.
While information so far
suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a report out of China suggests
serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people with certain
underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for
example, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness.
Taking all of this
information into consideration, I am asking you to please:
-Stay home when you are
sick. If you are sick, you are excused from the Sunday obligation.
-When coughing or
sneezing, please cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands, or
preferably use a tissue, and throw it away afterwards.
-Wash your hands before
coming to Mass and after leaving the church. An alcohol-based hand rub will be
made available at church entrances.
-If you are older, and
especially if you have an underlying health condition, feel free not to shake
hands during the sign of peace. You may simply put your hands in a prayer
gesture and do a head bow.
-Know that the sharing of
the Precious Blood has been suspended at all parishes of the diocese.
-If you receive Holy
Communion on the tongue, please consider receiving Holy Communion on your hand,
since receiving on the tongue presents higher risks of spreading of microbes.
Otherwise, please go last to receive communion.
-Pray for all affected by
COVID-19, for those who have died worldwide, and for the health professionals
dealing with the containment and treatment of this disease.
-Know that there could be
more changes, as this situation is rapidly developing.
God bless, Fr. Carlos, OSA
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