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END of JANUARY 2024; Exactly four years ago today the UK's first coronavirus cases were confirmed.

 

On 31 January 2020, Public Health England said a University of York student from China had tested positive for COVID-19, along with his mother.

 

Almost two months later, the UK locked down and it was another two years until the final legal restrictions were removed - with some arguing this happened prematurely.

 

https://news.sky.com/story/the-virus-is-still-evolving-at-an-incredible-rate-how-widespread-is-covid-now-and-how-many-people-are-dying-with-it-13059424?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-gb

 

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Long Covid; https://news.sky.com/story/the-nhs-sold-out-its-staff-doctors-whose-lives-were-devastated-by-long-covid-to-sue-health-service-13055384

 

 

 

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A lifelong dream

 

 

 

Coleman, who always dreamed of one day becoming a professional athlete, spoke about combining his passion for fitness with his love for his faith.

 

“I wanted to infuse as much meaning into what I’m doing in my athletic journey,” he said. “I wanted to involve my faith in it as much as I possibly could.”

 

He came up with the idea for an adoration ultra after noticing that people regularly run races to draw attention to various causes and issues.

 

“What is the one thing that, if I were to bring attention to it, it would make the greatest impact?” he remembered asking.

 

He decided on the Eucharist.

 

https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/meet-the-man-running-50-miles-out-of-love-for-the-eucharist/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_email=Omeda&utm_campaign=NL-OSV+Consumer&utm_term=6899J0307967D5A&oly_enc_id=6899J0307967D5A

 

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CHESS: Thanks to a charity called, the Gift of Chess, a young girl who just arrived in the U.S. from Colombia last year is now a nationally ranked player.

 

 

 

New York City has come up with a new pilot program to deal with the migrant crisis.

 

The highest court in the land is considering a case involving herring fishermen that may have an impact on certain religious liberty cases.

 

https://netny.tv/episodes/currents/catholic-news-headlines-for-monday-2-5-2024/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=292994880&utm_content=292994880&utm_source=hs_email

 

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Vaccination and disease transmission

 

https://youtu.be/kMOx3zVaCPg?si=al4-cSsPcQY_Mueg

 

 

 

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Unfortunately Big Pharma will want to suppress this:  there is no money in it for them.  I’m 83 years old and 😊feel both Dr. Dalgleish and Dr. 20:08  John Campbell are sincere in their commitment to helping their fellow humans.  Please keep these programmes going.

 

https://youtu.be/FCIJmacFaqs?si=cuEyjObrD9GH1OKq

 

 

 

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Excess deaths in 2023 confirmed

 

Dr. John Campbell- Sep 25, 2023

 

Confirmation of excess deaths in 2023 for US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Netherlands, and Denmark. However, deaths are lower than expected in Poland, Hungary, and Sweden.

 

https://youtu.be/_6xBiyidQ9g?si=cDWqQwXGSDkyKODb

 

 

 

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16 May 2021 o World Communications Day Go out to the whole world Today marks the 55th World Communications Day, and the theme for this year is 'Come and See: Communicating by encountering people where and as they are'. In his message to mark the occasion, Pope Francis emphasises the importance of meeting people where they are, just as Jesus did with those he encountered: 'We need to go and see them for ourselves, to spend time with people, to listen to their stories and to confront reality, which always in some way surprises us.' All communication, he says, should strive to be clear and honest, whether in the media, on the internet, in the Church's preaching, or in social interaction. He has a particular message for all who use social media: 'Thanks to the internet we have the opportunity to report what we see, what is taking place before our eyes, and to share it with others. At the same time, the risk of misinformation being spread on social media has become evident to every-one... All of us are responsible for the communications we make, for the information we share, for the control that we can exert over fake news by exposing it. All of us are to be witnesses of the truth: to go, to see and to share.' It is fitting that this day coincides with the Feast of the Ascension. Before he is taken into heaven, Jesus issues his final instruction: 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.' Our challenge is to communicate by encountering people, where they are and as they are. ‘Teach us to go out and see,  teach us to listen,  not to entertain prejudices or draw hasty conclusions. 'Pope Francis' message for the 55th World Communications Day Government guidance on numbers attending Mass and other Church Services Arising from the  announcement by the Government  regarding the easing of restrictions on religious services from May 10th the following clarification was issued from the Office of An Taoiseach on a number of issues as follows: Pods of 50Where the size of the premises/Place of Worship allows for a capacity of greater than 50 this may be permitted only where: social distancing guidelines are adhered to. the premises can be subdivided into distinct sections (cordoned or marked appropriately) of not more than 50 persons in each section there is a minimum of 4 metres between sections each section having its own entrance/exit route there are separate arrangements for elements of the service involving close contact, for example the distribution of Holy Communion strictly no movement of people between sections before, during or after the service the premises is well-ventilated Following these guidelines we can accommodate 132 people within the church in Abbeyfeale for weekday and Sunday Masses. Funerals There is an increased risk of transmission of the virus where families and communities come together following the death of a loved one. Therefore numbers at funeral services (and Weddings) is capped at 50 regardless of size of premises. Notwithstanding the increase in numbers permitted, funerals are still considered private family events and arrangements should not be advertised in newspapers or on-line. Funeral services should continue to be live streamed to help reduce numbers attending.  Attendance at wakes in private homes and at Funeral Homes remains unchanged i.e. immediate family only and people should be discouraged from queuing to pay respects Singing                                                                                        As with previous reopening for religious service congregational singing and choir singing is not permitted. Solo singing with accompanist is permitted subject to compliance with detailed guidance contained in HSE Covid-19 Guidance for Religious Services. Outdoor Worship Outdoor Worship is not permitted in line with Government restrictions on organised outdoor gatherings. Drive-in Religious Services may take place outside places of worship (e.g. church carpark) where all attendees remain in their vehicles and no sharing of vehicle outside of family unit. Use of Religious  premises for any other purposes/parochial activities/community meetings etc is not permitted in line with Government restrictions on organised gatherings of people.   Fr Tony, Abbeyfeale.

 

 

 

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Killarney Parish Newsletter 16 May 2021

 

WELCOME BACK TO MASS & HOLY COMMUNION What great news, what a blessing for all of us to have Mass again with a congregation! Our usual schedule of Mass times has returned: Monday  -Saturday10.30am & 6.15pm St Mary’s Cathedral 9.30am Church of the Resurrection Sunday8am, 10.30am & 12noon St Mary’s Cathedral 9.30am Muckross 11am Church of the Resurrection Please note the following: The Sunday Obligation to attend Mass has been waived for the moment, and so if you can, we ask you to join us for Mass during the week so as to leave the weekend Masses for those who are only available to come then. We will be adhering to distancing guidelines, and so this will reduce the capacity of the Churches significantly for each Mass. We ask people to come early as we will need to guide you to the designated places, and it will be first come, first served. It may mean that people may come but be unable to enter due to distancing guidelines, so we ask for your understanding on this. Personal responsibility: we ask the help of everyone in reopening:Face Masks  MUST be worn regardless of having had the vaccination. These are the guidelines advised. hand sanitiser at the doors hand and cough hygiene etiquette keep the distancing on the way into Church, in the pews, at Communion time, and on leaving to follow the direction of ushers who are there to help. Communion Time: the Priest and Eucharistic Ministers will be using hand sanitiser before distributing Communion, they will be wearing a face mask, ushers will help guide people to keep distance when approaching, you will be asked to receive Holy Communion in your hands. Offertory Collection: The basket will not be passed around, instead there will be collection boxes at the doors for your contribution and support of the parish. Together we will make it work: Much of the above will take a little getting used to, but it is all possible—after all, our focus is the chance to return together for Mass, and we will all do whatever it takes to keep us around the Lord’s Altar to receive the Bread of Life. BAPTISMS:   We are delighted that we can celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism now, so please contact Sheila in the Parish Office.

 

 

 

FEAST OF ST BRENDAN: This Sunday is the Feast of St Brendan, the Patron  Saint  of  our  Diocese.  Brendan  is  the  patron Saint  of  two  Irish Dioceses, Kerry and Clonfert. This reflects the two main spheres of his land-based life. The waters around Ireland and Britain and, as tradition would also have it, the vast ocean to the West provide the focus for the sea-based material in the medieval tradition. Brendan occupies a special niche in the history and tradition of the medieval Irish church. He is one of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland”, one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard is also one of the great monastic founders of the early medieval church with foundations in Kerry, Galway, Clare, Mayo, Scotland and Wales attributed to him. Prayer to St Brendan: 'Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hand. Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.'

 

 

 

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Moyvane Knockanure Parish Newsletter 16 May 2021

 

                                                             THE ART OF LIFE

 

A young son and his mother gather at a rural Marian Grotto these May evenings.  They pray the Rosary aloud.  Both have been hit with sudden illness recently.  They find something extra special, just by praying the Rosary these May evenings  at their Holy Well (Grotto).  Their current experience made me think – The art of life.  Childhood must pass away and then youth, as surely as age approaches.  The true wisdom is to be always seasonable and to change with good grace in changing circumstances.  To love playthings well as a child, to lead an adventurous and honourable youth and to settle when the time arrives into a green and smiling age is to be a good artist in life and deserve well of yourself and your neighbour.  We all need to live in the now.   That’s the art of life. 

 

                 

 

 

 

 

 

                COME BACK TO MASS……..AND MORE

 

The traditional obligation for Catholics to attend Mass every Sunday was lifted here in Ireland and virtually all over the world more than fourteen months ago.  So the familiar distinction between practising and non-practising Catholics was suspended.  Here in our part of God’s Kingdom, the Doorway of Hope and the Holy Hut in Knockanure kept the live line with Mass alive.  Now that we are back one week and please God we will remain back with a congregation for Masses, it is difficult to gauge as to how we will move forward as a ‘NEW’ Church from here on.  There are three groups of people that I must find new ways of reaching:  

 

             Those who have simply lost the habit of Sunday Mass.

 

             Those who are not sure they see the point of Mass or Church anymore.

 

             And those who have encountered funerals and You Tube Masses and Assumption Radio during the pandemic (The Covid Curious).

 

Starting with the above (last group first) so many from this group were in touch from around the country and beyond giving such encouraging and uplifting comments and suggestions.  They were attracted to what they had found.  Will that group still stay linked to Church? As for the other two groups I honestly feel the whole idea of bringing back Sunday obligation will not wash with them.  For most it would have the opposite effect.  Participation in Holy Eucharist is the font and summit of a Catholic’s spiritual and moral life and Mass attendance on Sundays and Holy Days is the mark of Catholics identity.  The beautiful gift of Holy Communion is the Bread of Life and such nourishing food for life’s journey. We need it now more than ever.  The principal events in the life of the universal Church during C19 have included Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti and his call for dialogue between faiths during his powerful visit to Iraq.  Across the water in England and Wales and Bishops under the banner of Caritas, collected and distributed huge sums of money for relief of hardship, especially for families and children in poverty and hunger providing breakfast and school meals for them. 

 

Here in Ireland our Bishops were slow off the mark, we were told the four Archbishops from the four provinces were meeting the Government on a regular basis. However, there was no feedback from these meetings to the rest of us and these meetings seemed to have petered out.  This resulted in every parish having to fend for themselves.  Apart from streamed Masses, there seemed to be little else forthcoming.  No effort was made to engage with college students or with the youth in general.  We didn’t receive any clear moral direction as how to go through the C19 crisis from a Church perspective.  The Government were calling all the shots. 

 

I am in awe of our young folk in how they have adapted to the new way of education.  I met a young parishioner during the week who told me in September (please God) she will be starting her second year in college and she has never met any students in her class and has never been inside the building.  I have forgotten and failed to help this age group.  Maybe our Church and myself need to do a lot more than simply inviting people of all ages back to Mass.  Pray that we can support encourage and guide each other back to Catholic basics.  But how?

 

NEVER IF…….

 

NEVER say I love you if you don’t really care.

 

NEVER talk of feelings if they aren’t really there.

 

NEVER hold my hand if you mean to break my heart.

 

NEVER say forever if you ever plan to part.

 

NEVER look into my eyes if you are telling me a lie. 

 

NEVER say hello if you think you’ll say goodbye.

 

NEVER say that I’m the one if you dream of someone else.

 

NEVER say the words if they’re not true unto yourself.

 

WHEN FREEDOM’S SWORD WAS DRAWN –

 

THE ‘TROUBLED TIMES’ IN NORTH KERRY

 

The above is a new book published by Martin Moore, Tralee.  The Gortaglanna ambush sparked a wider response throughout all of Kerry in the months following, May 1921. This book records those events in great detail which will be of immense interest to the people of Moyvane and Knockanure and indeed throughout Kerry.  It is a very easy book to read and it is most informative. 

 

THANK YOU: A huge thank you to you all for our first week back into our Churches.  Your understanding and cooperation is deeply appreciated.  I am really grateful to all our stewards for volunteering to do this work and they are doing it excellently.  Míle Buíochas! May Jesus continue to bless and protect us in our new beginnings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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May 2021

 

The Bishop of Limerick is appealing to church-goers to adhere to public health guidelines following the re-opening of churches

 

 

 

While Masses and other religious ceremonies remain closed to the public, churches have been open for private prayer and reflection since the Covid-19 restrictions were eased at the weekend.

 

 

 

“If anything, recent weeks have reaffirmed just how important the Church is in so many people’s lives as it has been closed to them. While we won’t be able to gather for Mass for some time, having our churches open again is a really good thing as some people really missed their personal visits for a moment of prayer in the stillness of the church. Churches have been getting ready mindful of the guidelines,” said Brendan Leahy.

 

 

 

“It is important to stress that people will still to observe social distancing and hygiene guidelines at churches. Use the sanitizer as you enter, keep two metres from anyone who is not from your family, and, if you see fit, wear a mask,” he added.

 

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May 2021 Moyvane Church Newsletter

 

BACK IN CHURCH WITH A CONGREGATION

 

It’s good to be back with a congregation at Masses from this Monday 10th.   I am weary with all the restrictions but I respect them.  I encourage all of you to do likewise.  Returning we will still have social distancing and will be guided by our volunteer stewards.  It’s important that you listen to them and be guided by them.  If that procedure upsets or annoys you then it would be advisable to wait a little longer when there will be further lifting of restrictions.  Despite the lethal danger of Covid-19 and its remarkable transmission capacities (just look at India these days),  it is extraordinary that some Christians have failed to convince our society that we take our social obligations seriously.  That we treasure the old and the vulnerable, that we believe that health is a holy thing, and that we know that death is sad and tragic.  Practically all of you have been great and so supportive of all that is demanded of us during this difficult time.  Let’s keep this big effort going as we reopen on Monday.  I ask you to keep the following in mind:  

 

                All Masses from 10th listed will have a congregation.

 

                For now weekday Masses are in Moyvane only.

 

                Weekend Masses - Vigil at 7.30pm Saturday (Moyvane) 

 

Sunday 9.30am (Knockanure) 11am (Moyvane)

 

                Stewards will guide you to your seat and will lead you out after Mass. 

 

                Masks will have to be worn and social distancing maintained.

 

                No gathering around Exits or Entrances.

 

                No congregating in the Car Parks after Mass.

 

                Any Mass you attend will fulfil your Sunday obligation.

 

                Baptisms can go ahead with just the immediate family – contact the Parish Office.

 

Thanking you in advance for your support and understanding.  May God continue to keep us all safe and well.

 

 

 

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2021 April 7 Knockanure

 

KNOCKANURE

 

 

 

 

 

REFLECTION:   Fr. Kevin reflects this week in local paper on the many sorrows and blessings revealed the Covid-19 pandemic. Which has transformed our lives in the past year.

 

TOUCHED BY EASTER- A beautiful legend tells how a Priest found the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore and placed it on the Altar in his Church on Good Friday.  On Easter Sunday, the Priest went to the Church to remove the relic, which he now felt was out of keeping with the joy of Easter. 

 

However, when he opened the door, the whole place was filled with a wonderful perfume.  The early morning sunlight, streaming through an Eastern window fell on the Altar where lay, not the Crown of Thorns, but a Crown of Blooms. The thorns had blossomed overnight into flowers, rare, sweet and lovely.  Remember, you and I can be touched by Easter too.  I wish all readers, parishioners and friends a happy and grace filled Easter.  You are in my Masses & prayers. Fr. Kevin.

 

FEAST of Divine Mercy is on April 11th, it was always a popular day for attending ceremonies, in many local churches. Divine Mercy Novena.  This Novena began on Good Friday and continues until Divine Mercy Sunday, 11th April 2021.

 

FAITH: Leap of Faith in Times of Transition, an Online Workshop for Young Adults 18 to 30 yrs on 8th April 7.30 - 9pm,  planned by Diocese of Kerry “YouthDoK” Young Adult Group.  Further info available and registration on www.dioceseofkerry.ie

 

PADRE PIO EVENING MASS Listowel has been moved to Friday 9th April for the month of April.

 

Padre Pio Devotions in Castleisland; Tuesday 20th April at 7.30pm. Witness will be given by Mike O’Mahony. A journey from Alcohol 24/7 to a pathway of recovery and living for one day at a time.

 

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Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE offered to supply South Africa with their Covid-19 vaccine at a discounted $10 a dose, yet the president’s office still described the cost as prohibitive, according to a person familiar with the talks.

 

 

 

The price was worked out according to South Africa’s status as a middle-income nation and is about half of what the drugmakers are charging in the U.S., the person said, asking not to be identified as the information hasn’t been made public. The fact that the companies are running a vaccine trial in the country was also taken into consideration, the person said.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-04/pfizer-has-offered-south-africa-discounted-covid-19-vaccines

 

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HELPLINES:  Men suffering domestic abuse operates 36 hours a week on 1800816588.    Men’s Aid (Amen) 01 5543811 Monday – Friday 9-5pm.   24 hour helplines for women suffering domestic abuse 1800 341900 or Adapt 1800 200504.  Limerick Social Services:  061-314111.    AA    061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019.  Accord NCW 069/61000.   Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email jo@samaritan.ie Aware (Depression & Anxiety) 1980 303 302 National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247 Irish Advocacy Network (Peer advocacy in mental health) 01 872 8684 Pieta House (Suicide & self-harm) 01 623 5606 IACP (Counselling & Psychotherapy) 01 230 3536 Shine: (Supporting people affected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222.  Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203    068/ 31262    068/51984    St Vincent De Paul    Tel 087/1213560 .  Counselling Appointment    061/314213.  ALONE; has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary.  The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024

 

VIRAL ILLNESS

 

I had no immune system for months after my bone marrow transplant. Here’s how I avoided viral illness, and how you can, too. It’s easier than you think

 

1. Constant, thorough hand washing and hand sanitizing.

 

2. Constant, thorough cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces that I touched.

 

3. Completely avoiding primary vectors of transmission.

 

Hand hygiene is probably one of the greatest innovations of 20th century medicine, behind only the discovery of penicillin and widespread vaccination. It prevents countless infections, and its importance cannot be overstated. Your hands are everything.

 

After my transplant, I washed my hands constantly, and I washed them thoroughly. I washed the palms, the backs, my wrists, each finger individually (concentrating on the finger tips), and then I scrubbed my fingernails in my palms. The whole “wash your hands for 20 seconds” thing made me laugh when I first heard it. If you truly wash your hands thoroughly, with the goal of removing any trace of pathogen you may have touched, it always takes at least 20 seconds, if not more.

 

I washed my hands like this after every time I used the bathroom, before I ate, after touching anything in a public place, immediately after returning home from being out anywhere, after working out, after driving my car, after working on my computer, after feeding my pets, after cleaning my house.  If I wanted to scratch my nose, or I needed to put in my contact lenses, I washed my hands first, before ever touching my face. If my hands didn’t physically feel freshly washed, I washed them.  If I couldn’t remember the last time I washed them, I washed them. I only used hand sanitizer when I didn’t have access to hot water and soap.

 

If this sounds extreme, consider how much simpler and easier this is than being sick. Washing your hands constantly is just a matter of habit. You have to make yourself do it for a while, and you have to really focus on remembering, but once you do that long enough, you create a habit that will protect you for the rest of your life. In a globalized world ripe for pandemics, this is a necessary 21st century practice. If you find yourself wondering whether you’re washing your hands enough, then you aren’t.

 

Cleaning Surfaces

 

The best way to give your dry, crumpled-paper-bag hands some relief is to meticulously clean the surfaces that you touch, so that you know you aren’t continuing to spread germs or virions (virus reproductive particles) onto your freshly washed hands.  If you’re isolating at home, clean everything thoroughly once, and then continue to clean each surface that gets touched when someone enters or leaves the house. If you make a habit of washing your hands immediately upon returning home, you won’t have to keep wiping down everything in your house. Upon returning home from any excursion, I wipe down my keys, phone, credit card (if I used it), car door handle, car steering wheel, garage door handles and front door handles. I keep Clorox wipes in my car and right beside the front door to make this easy.  When I go grocery shopping, I take my wipes into the store with me. I wipe down the handle of the shopping cart and the credit card swiper buttons before I touch either one. When I get back to my car, I load my groceries, and then wipe down the car door handles, my credit card, keys, and phone, and finally use hand sanitizer before I touch my steering wheel.  If someone in your house is sick, wipe down everything that people touch, and do it every single day. The sick person should avoid touching things as much as possible to make this easier. When I was recovering from transplant, we wiped every touchable surface in my room and the bathroom.  Clean the things you touch. That’s all. Do it consistently. Don’t avoid it or get annoyed about it. Just do it.

 

Avoiding Contact (vectors of transmission)

 

The primary vector of transmission of novel coronavirus is people.  People, and the things people touch. You can’t tell if someone is carrying the virus by looking at them. Frankly, you can’t tell if you’re carrying it either, just by the way you feel. You can’t tell if an elevator button or a bar stool has been contaminated.  So, stay away from everyone, and don’t touch public surfaces. When you have to be around people, do not get close to them. When you have to touch public things, don’t touch your face or body until you wash your hands.  I open doors and push elevator buttons with my elbows. I open the bathroom door with the paper towel I just used to dry my hands after washing them. I do not lean on or touch countertops in public places.  Most of all, now, I do not go out to places that have elevator buttons, or public door handles, or public countertops, unless I absolutely have to.  If you work an essential job that prevents you from isolating at home, focus on the first two rules. Do them perfectly. The only time you should EVER touch your face is AFTER washing your hands, literally before you touch anything else. If you can keep 6 feet of space between you and other people at all times, do it. The virus can linger in the air (although not for very long), so don’t breathe other people’s air.

 

For the rest of us, the most fool proof protection is to stay home with the people you already live with and have no contact with anyone else.

 

Being outdoors in the sunshine is safe and healthy — as long as you’re not near other people. Go for walks, hikes, runs and bike rides. Just don’t get near other people. Cross the road instead of walking past someone on the sidewalk. I know it feels weird. Do it anyway.

 

WRITTEN BY

 

A.M. Carter

 

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A.M. Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida. She writes about philosophy, politics and current events.

 

All arrivals in Wuhan have to show a green code on a mobile app to prove that they are healthy.