Tuesday, September 8, 2020
This week and the week ahead will provide a measure of whether reopening restaurants and schools could be done so safely. The signs in front of restaurants pretty much say the same thing: “Servers wanted.” Will restaurants so hungry for diners take full safety precautions? Have tables been rearranged to keep a safe distance from other diners who come from other pods?
And we cross our fingers about the schools. Some districts have a full in-person learning approach, others hybrid or virtual using Zoom. And there are still so many students who do not have access to a computer or the internet.
The state government tells us the transmission rate is slightly above the critical 1.0. In the last 6 months of testing New Jersey has had 194,390 positives out of 3 million tested. But that leaves 5.5 million not tested. So we must continue to take care, mask up when we are out and about and make sure masks cover the nose, and through all this to remember that in the community there is strength.
Prayer for the Day
Your hand brought us out of the dust, Eternal Creator
And your breath gave us life and spirit.
Your heart formed us into your likeness, Loving Spirit,
And your soul made us into sentient beings.
May we respond to the power of your care to others
And to all who inhabit the earth.
In the name of him who embodies your love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.
Thurgood Marshall, activist, Supreme Court Justice (1908–1993)
The most practical thing in the world is common sense and common humanity.
Lady Nancy Astor, British social activist (1979–1964)
Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:1–2