Our local cities and counties have seen a surge in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the past three weeks; hospital admissions and critical cases have greatly increased as well. Many of these cases are occurring among our Catholic people.
It is important that all of us take adequate precautions to mitigate the spread of the disease. The local health authorities ask that we be mindful in following the CDC guidelines by maintaining social distance, washing our hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, wearing masks while out in public, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces at home and at work.
It is important, during this crisis, to limit physical contact with those who do not live in the same home. Please take special care for those considered high risk, like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
It is possible to spread this disease even without being aware that we have contracted it. If you have been in situations with exposure to crowds or groups of people, it would be safer not to host or attend large family gatherings for the time being. Apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp allow you to make video calls easily to friends and family members, and they can be great resources for reaching out to loved ones, without putting you or them in danger of contracting this disease. Most importantly, if you feel sick, please stay home.
If we all do our part, we can overcome this pandemic.