Coronavirus — a note of encouragement

The past few weeks have been tough, stressful, and filled with uncertainties. The World health organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people have now been affected by the disease. Our schools, colleges, businesses, and religious centers are closing, and long lines are now prevalent at the grocery stores. There is a genuine concern about how to deal with this epidemic.

Now is the time not to panic, but a time to listen to the directives from our health professionals. We should do everything we can to control what we can — practice social distancing, wash your hands, seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the symptoms related to the virus (Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath).

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to spread, I am writing this note to tell you that this, too, shall pass. I am encouraging you to be mindful of the needs of others around you, especially those that are more vulnerable to this disease. This message is about caring for others as the world battles the virus. That was what Rebecca Mehra did when she helped an elderly couple do their grocery in Bend, Oregon. The couple had been waiting for about 45 minutes; they couldn’t leave their car because they are afraid of being exposed and getting infected by the disease. Check out her story here.

We must do our part to control what we can, and not worry much about those things that we cannot control. One of the things that you can control is to follow the CDC guidelines on how to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Most businesses are encouraging their employees to work remotely during this time. Check out this article about how to work effectively from home.

Above all, we all need prayers to get through this challenging time. I want you to know that I am keeping you in my thoughts. Please pray for someone today. I am confident that with prayers and the ingenuity of our healthcare professionals, we will get through this and become stronger as a result.