Fr. Tony’s Physical Distancing Message and Meditation 9

March 31, 2020

Meditation:

Three Prayers for Those in Physical Isolation

For Those Who Live Alone (BCP 829)

Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Quiet Confidence (BCP 832)

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Absent (BCP 830)

O God, whose fatherly care reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth: We humbly beseech you graciously to behold and bless whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to you, may be bound together by your love in the communion of your Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Message:

Here is a message on keeping well even when we have to brave the outside world in this environment that I found very reasonable. I hope my fellow Trinitarians find it helpful and of interest:

When you can’t #StayHome but need to stay safe from COVID-19

Connie Nguyen

Mar 25 ·

In November, a day before Thanksgiving, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. In early January, I read about reports coming out of China about a new virus, SARS-CoV-2, that was dangerous to the elderly, people with preexisting conditions, and the immunocompromised. While going through cancer treatment that includes eight sessions of chemotherapy, which destroys my immune system, I have to worry about a virus that can kill me. I became diligent; I read everything I could about the virus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. Information became my weapon. There isn’t much I can control about the virus or the disease, but there are steps I can take to keep myself safe.

While it’s best for everyone to #StayHome to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease, we know that not all have the privilege to stay home, because maybe you have an employer that isn’t giving you time off, or you have bills to pay: rent, groceries, medical bills, student loans, etc. Many workers, such as public transit workers, are making sure that doctors and nurses are getting where they need to go, but we need these workers to stay healthy, too!

Here are some tips to stay safe. We realize that it may not be possible to do everything listed below, but we care about your health and encourage you to try your best.

·                Maintain distance from people. Ideally, you would have a barrier between you and other people — the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends at least six feet of distance. Definitely avoid large gatherings of people. And if you’re delivering something, perhaps dropping off groceries for an elderly parent, you should do so by putting the items down somewhere for them to grab, so there’s no risk of person-to-person contact.

·                Use gloves and change them often. When handling packages or touching anything, really, you should wear gloves. Ideally, you would use disposable latex gloves, but winter gloves or other types of gloves will do in a pinch. COVID-19 can stay on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and for up to three days on plastic and metal. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after you take off your gloves, before you eat, touch your face, or touch your personal belongings. Definitely change gloves if you directly touch another person. If you’re using non-disposable gloves, wash them frequently!

·                Wear masks. We know that there is a limited supply of masks and that N95 masks should be prioritized for health care workers, so any face covering (even scarves and bandanas) is better than nothing. COVID-19 is spread through aerosolized droplets, and although wearing homemade masks may not have 100% protection from the virus, you can still stop most of the droplets from getting close to your nose and mouth. More importantly, wearing a mask also protects others in case you have COVID-19 without knowing it. When wearing a mask, please try your best to avoid touching the outside of the mask. The mask will not be useful at all if you touch a used mask, then touch your face afterwards. The mask can carry a lot of germs, so be very careful when handling it. Please wash your face thoroughly (for more than 20 seconds) with facial soap or facial cleanser. Assuming that you are reusing your mask, please store the mask in a separate area or in a zip-close bag. If you are going to reuse the mask, it can be disinfected by putting it in the oven for 30 minutes at 158°F.

·                Personal grooming. Long nails are a place where viruses like to live, and they are harder to clean, so keep your nails short. You should be clean-shaven if you are going to wear a mask, because masks should fit tightly to your face (also, viruses can live on facial hair).

·                Wash your hands with soap often and for more than 20 seconds! Sing the ‘’Happy Birthday’’ song, or sing the alphabet song. When washing your hands, rub your hands with soap, clean between your fingers, and clean your fingernails, too.

·                Keep hand sanitizer nearby and use it. Rub the hand sanitizer on all parts of your hands, not just the palms. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol is most effective.

·                Shower when you get home, wash your clothes, and clean your surfaces. Consider having outside clothes and inside clothes. As outside clothes, wear clothes that are easy to take off (not button-down shirts, for example) and throw them directly into the laundry basket that you should keep in the garage or near the entrance of your home. Shower when you get home, but wash your hands before you shower. Wash and change your towels often. Keeping good personal hygiene and maintaining a clean home will help lower the spread of germs.

·                Plan extra travel time in your commute. If the bus or train pulls up and is packed, choose an emptier car or wait to take the next one. Bike or walk to work, if you can.

·                Sanitize your workspaces. And keep clean the spots that you touch often, including steering wheels, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, sink and toilet handles, etc. You can use sanitizer, alcohol wipes, or water and soap.

·                If you’re sick, take sick days (if you can!), and follow the guidelines from the CDC.

·                Prioritize your mental health as much as your physical health. Your emotional well-being is essential to your physical well-being. Take intentional breaks when you can, stay in touch with your friends and family, and remember to take deep breaths.

If you found this post helpful, please share it with others!

P.S. In addition to the federal safety requirements that businesses must follow, some states have established rules for employers regarding COVID-19 and safety. If you think that your employer isn’t meeting these requirements, there might be a form for you to fill out to complain (for example, here’s a form from Oregon); we encourage you to look it up on your state’s labor board website or on the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) website. Also, many workers are demanding more from their employers and the government, with workers demanding better sick leave policies from Whole Foods and Kroger and nurses asking the Trump administration to release PPEs (personal protective equipment). If you have cause for a petition, consider creating one here— it only takes a minute!

Sources:

1. “Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) advice for public,” World Health Organization https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

2. “The Dos and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing,’” The Atlantic

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-what-does-social-distancing-mean/607927/

3. “The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2–3 Days — Here’s How To Clean Them,” NPR

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/14/811609026/the-new-coronavirus-can-live-on-surfaces-for-2-3-days-heres-how-to-clean-them

4. “People are making DIY masks to fight coronavirus. But do they actually work?,” USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/23/homemade-coronavirus-masks-do-they-actually-block-spread/2899622001/

5. “Coronavirus in Austin: How to clean and disinfect your space,” Austin American-Statesman

https://www.statesman.com/entertainmentlife/20200318/coronavirus-in-austin-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-space

6. “COVID-19 Evidence Service | Addressing COVID-19 Face Mask Shortages [v1.2],” Stanford Medicine