Jefferson Reporter

Iglesia Episcopal de la Gracia issued the following announcement on March 6.

Hello, friends

There are two mistakes we need to avoid with regards to COVID-19, the coronavirus: one is to scare people or contribute to an international panic; the other is to pretend that this virus doesn’t potentially present a threat and give people the idea that we don’t need to take precautions.  There is still quite a lot that we don’t know about this illness, but we know enough to say that it is real, and that it is serious.

Earlier this week I took part in a webinar that was hosted by Episcopal Relief and Development, and I learned a couple of things that I’m hoping will be useful.  They repeated some things we already know: we all need to wash our hands with soap and water more oftenthan we normally do; we all need to pay attention to our symptoms if we start feeling sick, stay home and call the doctor; we need to take special precautions when we’re taking care of someone else who has become ill.

I was surprised to learn that it’s more sanitary to take a sip of wine from the cup than it is to dip the bread into the wine (because people will invariably dip their fingers into the wine – you wouldn’t, but other people would.)  The safest thing is to simply take the bread and not receive the wine; our sacramental theology in the Episcopal Church teaches us that our Lord Jesus Christ is as present in the Bread alone as He is in both Bread and Wine.

It seems clear that the people most endangered by the virus are the elderly and people who already have health concerns, specifically respiratory issues.  We need to be even more mindful about those folks than we usually are.

I’ve always assumed that shaking hands at the passing of the peace is more hygienic than hugging, but I was wrong about that, too – it’s better to hug appropriately, since the virus is much more likely to be transmitted from hand to hand.  Elbow-bumping is sort of fun, but getspretty close to silly, which may not fit the mood in your parish.  A nod or bow is probably the safest, but … well, it’s up to you.

I am aware of other people in church leadership issuing mandates about how we should act, what we should do and what we should not do.  I suppose some people like for somebody to tell them what to do, but I don’t think we’re set up that way, and I’m glad: life and faith is all about the choices we make.  So instead, I will tell you that what I’m going to do until this virus is under control is to wash my hands a lot, try to get enough rest, receive the Bread of the Eucharist and not take the Wine, keep hugging people, and pay extra attention to the elderly and the sick.

And I will pray, and ask you to pray, for the victims of this virus, for the medical professionals who are dealing with this in ways the rest of us can’t imagine, and for the leaders of this nation and other nations who have the responsibility of making decisions for the welfare of their people.

God’s Peace,

Original source can be found here.