Brothers and Sisters,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been carefully monitoring the COVID-19 developments and is taking steps in several areas to provide assistance, help missionaries be safe and effective, address concerns regarding member safety and plan for upcoming events. These steps are being taken to comply with best practices or direction provided by the public health organizations of various national governments.
As our members around the world meet and interact with one another, we ask them to be mindful of current circumstances and to be considerate of their health and that of others.
For all Church members, there is wisdom in taking steps to remain healthy during this cold and flu season. These precautions include*:
· Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick (this may include avoiding shaking hands or other customary greetings).
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
· Maintain at least three feet (one meter) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
· If you or your child are feeling ill, please stay home. We can always adjust for any responsibilities you may have. We only kindly request that you inform your appropriate leader.
· For leaders—we recognize that last minute adjustments may need to be made and trust in your inspired direction.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
· Bishops, young men leaders and parents, please remind the Young Men that prepare, bless and pass the Sacrament:
1. Wash their hands with hot soapy water for 60 seconds before preparing the sacrament.
2. For those preparing the Sacrament: please use hand sanitizer on your own hands and wipe down handles and bottoms of trays with disinfectant wipes and inside when appropriate.
3. For Bishopric: please ensure that there is hand sanitizer available both for preparation, administering, and passing as well as disinfectant wipes for disinfecting trays.
6. Do not prepare, bless or pass that sacrament if they are not feeling well.
*Based on recommendations from the World Health Organization and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In general, just please be wise and inspired with respect to your own health and the health of others.
For more information, please see: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020
We love and support each of you.
The Prosper Stake Presidency