The Coronavirus

The Coronavirus
Here's a tip from the experts to help you and your household stay safe from coronavirus COVID-19.

Don’t let the virus in. That’s the best way to avoid getting sick. Here are some action steps to help you keep the virus away.

Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Stay home and do not go out in public when you are sick.

Avoid medical settings in general unless necessary. If you are ill in any way call your doctor’s office first before going in.

Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long-term care facilities or nursing homes as much as possible. If you do need to visit one of these facilities, limit your time there and keep 6 feet away from patients.
Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency medical services need to serve the most critical needs first. If you have a cough, fever, or other symptoms, call your regular doctor first.

Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for coronavirus.

Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Disinfecting wipes and regular household cleaners are effective.
Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.

I must also remind my beloved readers, we need not fear receiving the Holy Body and Blood of Our Saviour, from the holy spoon. The Mysteries are for healing of body and soul, and there is NO chance of getting the coronavirus while receiving Holy Communion. Kissing the icons, the priest’s hand, or venerating the cross at the end of Liturgy, might be something we should consider avoiding, but we should not fear receiving the very thing that gives us life. My own Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco issued instructions that zapivka (wine after communion) be served to the communicants from individual paper cups until the coronavirus ends, and that there be baskets next to the zapivka table, for the used paper cups to be deposited.

Meanwhile, let us all repent, for God sometimes allows such things as the coronavirus to happen as a way to get our attention. The world has turned away from God, and we are all needing of focusing our priorities on the things that are of an eternal nature. We must turn, as a people, back to the essentials of what this life was meant to be, our relationship with God, and our preparation for eternity. This life was not meant as a place for acquiring wealth, building careers, amassing personal fame, and “looking good”. This life is a sojourn to the Eternal Life that awaits us.

With love and blessings,
Abbot Tryphon