Balance is the key.
I recently saw a meme that said: What are you wearing to the one year anniversary of 14 days to flatten the curve? It’s funny and sad all at the same time.
The truth is, it has been quite a year. Before I begin my comments, I would like to remind eve- ryone that Covid-19 was (and is) extremely dan- gerous. I did four funerals of people who died of the virus and I know several others, mainly brother priests, who have died from it. As of this writing almost a half million Americans have died of the virus in the pandemic.
Like I said, it has been quite a year.
But this is an excellent time to think about our response to this crisis, what works, what didn’t, what was a waste of time, energy and money and how can we do better next time. And there will be a next time. (cue ominous music)
Early on someone sent me an article about the virus that explained how it was spread. It was spot on. The process of transmission has been pretty consistent, believe it or not. It is spread through the nasal and throat passages, over a short period of time (15 minutes) and it matters if you are indoors or outdoors and if there is proper ventilation. So what does this mean?
One, masks are essential. Dr. Fauci has noted that we will be wearing masks for another year. You may not like it, but too bad. If the virus comes into your body through your mouth and nose, a mask will mitigate both breathing it in as well as spreading it. This also means you HAVE TO COVER YOUR NOSE with your mask.
Two, washing your hands is here to stay as well. That was an important habit BEFORE the pandemic. It’s just good hygiene.
If you are washing your hands and wearing masks, the constant spraying of disinfectant is largely a waste of time, energy and money. You don’t have to believe me. This is what the CDC said: transmission through surfaces is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads. Also, I‘ve never had my temperature taken so much in my life. We do it at school, be- cause it is easy and non-invasive, but as an arti- cle from the New York Times says: Taking tem- peratures at entry points is nothing more than theater, a gesture that is unlikely to screen out many infected individuals, and one that offers lit- tle more than the illusion of safety.
The bottom line is this, the more complicated we make the rules of Covid-19, the more likely peo- ple will ignore them. (notice how we didn’t sprin- kle ashes on you this year…) That is a truth of human nature and a profound reflection for the Lenten season. Keeping it simple and steady is the way to go. We have had our church open since May and our school since August with few problems. Why? Everyone follows the simple, common sense rules. Everyone is willing to be on board when things are clear and balanced.
So keep wearing your masks in church, cover your nose and wash your hands.
Father Kevin