Welcome to the Monday Mailing #32 –
Just because you can. . . .
My sainted Mother would often reply to my requests with the above – just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I was so irritated when she would say that. I know it was a way for me to think carefully about the decision I was about to make, but I wanted the quicker answer – do it, or don’t do it. The west coast corollary which also got used was: if everybody jumped off the Golden Gate bridge would you? It was my mother’s way of saying: God gave you brains and expects you to use them! I never appreciated it as much as I do now.
COVID-19 cases worldwide are increasing again. Even here in our beloved upstate NY, there has been a rise in the cases, even while things like movie theaters are opening up. Nation-wide, field hospitals are being set up to meet the needs for the current (and future) cases, even while winter is rapidly approaching. El Paso has seen a 300% increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations. 300%? Albany county is at 2.44% tested positive, which is an increase of almost one percent in two weeks. Friends, we are in this for the long haul.
I would love to say that there is a vaccine almost ready for us to use, but I am too much of a realist when it comes to medicine to ever say that. Even the vaccines they are currently working on are not planned for most of us at HUPC – we are, just about all of us – too old for the ones they are working on now. This doesn’t even start to answer the elephant in the room question – what will be the efficacy of such a vaccine? I know that getting the flu vaccine (which I get every year, because I am with a lot of people as someone who works in the church) doesn’t mean I won’t get the flu. What it does mean is this – if I get it, it probably won’t be as bad as it might have been.
So, what does all this mean?
Wear your mask. Leave your mask on. Every time you touch your mask, you risk spread – not only potentially of the COVID-19 virus, but of other seasonal germs. We wear our masks so that when we are able to come back together, everyone will be with us.
Continue personal distancing. Space is our friend, although we are all craving connections.
Wash, sanitize your hands. . .cleanliness is next to godliness (from “Hesitation 1:2″) – keep things clean.
Consider your circles. You may be keeping yourself apart from the general public, but what about the rest of the people in the bubbles (or circles) around you? Being aware of this is important to your health.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise. While we’ve gotten comfortable as a nation (and world) with these days of waiting, it is still important for us to be diligent in our own behaviors. And to trust the medical community who are advocating on our behalf. While we all would like this to “be over” soon, we must realize that this illness is with us for some time to come.
And the people of faith place their faith in God, and still wear masks!
Peace to you. . .
Pastor Janice
PS – NOTE: No in-person worship this week due to the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
joysandconcerns@hamiltonunionpresbyterianchurch.org
To share joys and concerns before Sunday worship