Friends,
The safety and well-being of everyone we serve is always our priority. And I like you to know that we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) situation; and are taking steps to help keep you, our community of faith, and the rest of our communities safe.
As we all adjust to new precautions, I want to highlight a few actions we are taking, and a couple of hot news for you and what you can do:
Viral World
You may not know this, but perhaps, the greatest human neighbors are probably viruses and bacteria. We live and interact with millions of them daily. In this update, we shall not so much worry about bacteria. They are important, but just not in focus right now. A virus is a biological agent that parasites and reproduces itself inside the cells of a living host—which is conditioned or forced to produce thousands of identical copies of the original virus at an incredibly extraordinary rate inside the infected host cell. Viruses have the ability to mutate and evolve several thousands of its species.
COVID-19, What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!
There is an ongoing investigation to determine more about this class of virus and its outbreak on the planet. But it is quite unfortunate that, plagued by the onslaughts of untamed social media, our age is more rapidly susceptible to false alarms and panic, which predate our heart, hold us in ignorance and more quickly destroy us than any evolving situation itself.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, spits, sneezes, and/or leaves saliva or sputum on surfaces. Infection occurs when these droplets land in the mouths or noses of people or are possibly inhaled into the lungs.
The reason what you don’t is dangerous is that many people are erroneously told to avoid sick people. Yes, people are most contagious when they are most symptomatic, but some spread might be possible before people show symptoms. And of course, there are other indirect forms by which a virus spreads. For instance, it is possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, though this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. That is why our most important safety tips are information and precaution.
Good News
While President Donald Trump has instituted a task force at the White House, and is encouraging scientists and pharmaceutical manufacturers to respond as promptly as they can on vaccine development, the world seems to be breathing relief as a San Diego Lab has announced the creation of DNA-based vaccine of the COVID-19. We hope more details will be out in earnest, and a robust global strategy put in place to arrest the epidemic.
Precautions
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sickPut distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care, or wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. You do not need to wear a facemask if you’re not sick unless you are caring for someone who is sick and is not able to wear a facemask.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.Throw used tissues in the trash.Immediately wash your hands with soap and (preferably hot) water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cleaning Supplies
Meanwhile, we shall continue to work to provide members of our faith community with disinfectants to help you keep clean and safe. Whereas it has gotten to our attention that supplies of disinfectants, hands sanitizers and other helpful chemicals are fast becoming very limited, we urge you to partner with us in sourcing them through online means so that we can distribute to members of the communities we serve as much as possible. We’ll be prioritizing distribution to people who stop by The Global Hope Center and those homeless and are with the greatest need. We’ll share more details with you as we have them.
Supporting public health authorities, and for your safety, we are volunteering all possible help, as well as educating the public as part of our duty to you, to the rest of humanity and in support of our public health authorities in their response to the epidemic. Working with them, we shall continue to consult with epidemiologist to make sure our efforts as a community of faith are grounded in medical advice.
If you or any person who is close to you feel sick or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you are advised to report all health concern to a public health authority and not, or before, you self-isolate yourself.
Maintaining your health is your utmost goal at this time; and the last thing you should have to worry about is getting sick by associating with people. No, I do not think so as long as you follow all precautions. Remember that ordinarily, we interact with millions of bacteria and viruses every day, and therefore taking precautions to protect your self and family is all you need to care about for the remainder of this trying period for our planet.
Sharing advice to stay healthy.
We’re reminding every member of our community of faith to follow advice from public health authorities. Make sure you stay healthy and protect yourself by maintaining good sleeping habit, eat healthy, take vitamins, and in the event that you feel sick, please stay home and away from others. Wash your hands frequently, and cover your cough or sneeze with your elbows not hands or fist. Clean door handles, and other surfaces frequently touched by others. And if possible, avoid touching surfaces. For more information, visit the World Health Organization website.
Additionally, there have been reports of discrimination linked to the current situation. As a community of faith, we shall keep a open door while we trust the Lord and take precautions together. Your safety is absolutely our concern and we shall make sure our worship services and center are kept sane and safe.
Conclusion
The body of Christ is never ascetic. Our Lord cares always. The Bible says we do not have a high priest who is not touched by the feelings of our infirmities. One of Apostle John ’s greatest concern, above all things, is that we may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers (3John 1:2). That’s why we too are always so earnest on such points and matters. We remain convinced that the better a man’s health, the more thoroughly he can do the work of God. In the days of Job, sickness was perceived to be a chastening for the erring or rebellious heart, but for us Christians whose faith is firm and character established in the love of Christ, we must stand tall to our inestimable blessing and heritage of sound body and soul. Functional and organic disorder is not our promise or portion.
Thank you for doing your part to help keep our community of faith safe, and for supporting one another as we navigate this trying moment together.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Olatunji, PhD
Setman, Global Hope Center
Lead Pastor, House of Prayer
CEO, One Hope