🎶 And the “Mask” goes on, the mask goes on” 🎶
If you have ever heard the song “The Beat Goes On” by Sonny and Cher, it is very adaptable to our current Corona virus mandate to wear a mask in public. As a faith community nurse, you have multiple responsibilities related to virus prevention strategies:
Are you following CDC and other reputable sources for current information related to COVID-19?
Have you signed up with your local health department and other government agencies such as the mayor’s office and the state governor’s task force to receive current updates?
Are you faithfully wearing your mask?
Have you educated the faith leaders, staff, and lay leaders of your faith community about the importance of wearing a mask and even more importantly of how to wear the mask correctly?
Have you taken steps to assure that all in your faith community who need a mask are provided with one?
Are you educating everyone about how to wear a mask properly?
Have you posted information on live and virtual bulletin boards, websites, weekly service bulletins, and perhaps even on your own email signature how important it is for people to wear masks in order to protect those they love, work with, and the strangers they encounter in everyday life?
Some have made the argument that cloth masks are not really effective, but for FCNs that isn’t really the point. Partially effective is better than nothing at all! Many government officials have mandated the wearing of masks in public, and for the general population it is a way to actively “do something” for others. People can help not only by wearing a mask to protect those they come in contact with from possible virus transmission, but also by making and donating masks for people to wear. What better example of loving others as self is there for FCNs to promote among those they serve? There are many applicable verses such as:
Philippians 2:4:
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
James 2:14-17:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Romans 13:1-5 also reminds us to obey the law of the land:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
We don’t have to like wearing a mask or even agree that they are helpful, as FCNs, we are the example to others as obedient servants of Christ. It is our responsibility as professional healthcare providers to assist those we serve to obtain and understand how, when, and where to use masks and other preventions strategies such as social distancing and handwashing appropriately.
Resources and References
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4 making a face covering
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face-coverings.html wearing
https://www.sfcdcp.org/communicable-disease/healthy-habits/how-to-put-on-and-remove-a-face-mask/ put on and remove properly
All scripture from NIV
Share your thoughts by email: drsharonthinton@gmail.com
We would love to see your mask selfies! Send them in and perhaps you will see yourself in a future blog or article!