At the time of this writing, the novel coronavirus, officially renamed COVID-19, has spread so rapidly since the outbreak in late January in Wuhan, China, affecting 99 countries and territories around the world, infecting 105,612 including a confirmed case in Hawaii, and killing 3,562 people, including 17 deaths in the US mainland.
As estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that as many as 56,000 people die from the flu or flu-like illness each year, the COVID-19 is the most potentially vicious killer since the 1918 influenza pandemic that took at least 50 million lives worldwide with about 675,000 occuring in the US.
Amidst facts and fears relating to the COVID-19, and its deadly human-to-human transmission, we strongly reiterate a few instructions from CDC to Parishioners, Visitors and Friends to follow:
Please, kokua,
Stay home and go see your doctor immediately when sick. If you or anyone you know might need assistance in the event we are asked by government officials to quarantine, please let the office know so we might call and check on you (Sign up sheet is at the entrance of the church and courtyard/office)
Wash your hands more regularly and properly with soaps for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol,
Cover your cough and sneeze with facial tissue or elbow.
As the coronavirus continues to spread in many parts of the globe including Hawaii, and concerning your well-being and those in our community, especially our kupuna and children, we
postpone until further notice the followings:
Faith Formation classes at Sts. Peter and Paul, beginning this Sunday, March 8.
Sunday fellowship (only coffee/tea will be served)
Capital Campaign Donors Appreciation on Saturday, March 14
Lenten Mission talks on March 11 and 12 except Lenten Penance Service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday March 13.
Like any disaster caused by Mother Nature or human deficiencies, we rely on both the divine intervention and our communal as well as individual efforts. We will strive for greater care for the poor and working families' economic hardship due to the spread of the COVID-19. As the Lord mandated his disciples, saying, "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Mt 25:40)
Pastoral Council Members:
Bernadette Lopes, David Kondo, Erlas Graff, Galo Camacho, Anna Flores, Neil Nitta
Disaster Prevention Consultants:
Wendy Garaghty, Mary Hee Wai, Val Low, Yvonne Toma