Coronavirus Update: Protect the common good as we serve

Beloved Friends,

I continue to pray for each and every one of you with special prayers for the most vulnerable among us – the ill, the elderly, the homeless, the poor – as with God’s help we face the Coronavirus.

As you may know, California Governor Gavin C. Newsom today requested that older adults, 65+, and people with chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to the Coronavirus, stay home for the time being to help avoid the spread of the Coronavirus. I am aware that we have significant numbers of older adults and vulnerable persons among our laity and clergy and would request that we follow Governor Newsom’s request. It is time to consider what is best for the common good.

While we have not heard such a word from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, I would ask our pastors and laity in Nevada to consider their own context in order to determine whether the direction Governor Newsom has laid out for California may be helpful to you in Nevada as well. We do know that Governor Sisolak has now closed all public schools in the State of Nevada.

I am so grateful for the good work our churches are doing to respond to the new struggles our communities are now facing. Our district superintendents are requesting a zoom call with our Deacons to help us consider other connectional ways we can serve in our communities under the present circumstances. We are called to lead and serve as the followers of Jesus the Christ who stretches out his hand of mercy and compassion and heals us. Even as we are asked to create physical distance between each other in this time of illness, we remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God that we have known in Christ Jesus.

Here are major points from announcements made recently by Governors Sisolak and Newsom.

Nevada Governor Sisolak

Gov. Steve Sisolak said today, March 15^th, that all Nevada schools, kindergarten through 12th grade, will close beginning Monday, March 16^th at least until April 6.

Sisolak made the announcement in a 3 p.m. press conference in Las Vegas.

The move comes after Sisolak declared a state of emergency on Thursday, March 12^th.

There are 21 COVID-19 Coronavirus cases in Nevada, with four reported in Washoe County. Most have not been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are moving course instruction online, UNR students are on spring break this week.