Message from Fr. Nelson Regarding COVID-19

Dear Bishop Ryan Parents and Employees, 
 
Following a community informational meeting held today with officials from the Ward County Emergency Management office and the North Dakota Department of Health, I want to give you all an update of the school’s current appraisal of the Coronavirus outbreak. The first portion is strictly public health information and the second portion is a spiritual perspective. 
 
It is true that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has breached the isolated borders of the great state of North Dakota, with the first confirmed case in Ward County. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised; I’ve always taken solace in the fact that Minot is very close to the middle of nowhere! Based upon the current status of the situation, measured and reasonable precautions ought to be taken to limit the risks associated with contracting or transmitting the virus. At this time, this means that Bishop Ryan Catholic School will continue with business as usual, except for a heightened vigilance toward student health and public information, and an increase in hygienic practices within the school.
 
The school ought not be your first or primary source of information concerning the COVID-19 virus. Rather, in order to stay up to date on pertinent information you should note the following sources of information:
·North Dakota Department of Health Hotline (call this number in order to determine if you need to be screened for COVID-19): 1-866-207-2880.
·City of Minot Facebook
· https://www.health.nd.gov
· https://www.co.ward.nd.us/450/News-Updates
· https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
 
Here is fact-sheet about COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-h.pdf
 
What you need to know sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
 
What to do if you are sick sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf
 
Stop the spread of germs sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf
(Note that 20 seconds is two Hail Mary’s!) 
 
Proper Hand-Washing Technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IisgnbMfKvI
 
How does COVID-19 spread? 
The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can 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, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
(CDC Factsheet)
 
As a result of this information, travel and being at large gatherings of people are ways in which one may increase one’s chances of coming in contact with someone who is contagious. For this reason, we are closely monitoring the situation in Minot and will be making decisions about school activities and even regular school operations under the guidance of local health officials. It should be noted that each school may have unique circumstances which merit a specific course of action. As I said before, right now we are operating as usual: only concrete factors will change that situation. Public fear and over-reaction are not good criteria for determining a course of action for the operation of our school. 
 
 
  I have been thinking a lot about the crazy amount of fear surrounding this virus. Yes, people are getting sick and even dying as a result of it. People also get sick and die from cancer, sudden heart attacks, accidents, and old age. This virus should not cause us undue stress. All things are either willed or permitted by God, and all things will work for our good if we embrace the situation with love for God, whether in weal or in woe. People have been getting sick and dying since Adam’s original sin. It is part of the fallen human condition. How we respond to the reality of our own and other’s mortality is the only thing we control. 
 
Perhaps, this is an opportunity for us all to take into consideration how much control we think we have over our lives. Do we have a false sense of security based on modern science and our own wealth and wisdom? When we think we are in control and then suddenly realize we are not, fear and anxiety result – this is not the Christian response of trust in the Providence of God. 
 
Our Lord says so clearly in the Gospel of Luke: 
 
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. ²³  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵  And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life?  ²⁶  If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷  Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin;^{[ c ]} yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸  But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! ²⁹  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. ³⁰  For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.
 
³²  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³  Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
 
Finally, do not be afraid! Let’s face this moment with trust in God, patience with others, and the readiness to deal with whatever comes our way generously and with fraternal charity. 
 
See you tomorrow! 
Fr. Nelson