Happy Saturday St. Matthias Family,  

Fr has recently learned that one of our St. Matthias parishioners has tested positive for the virus.  This parishioner has not attended Mass nor have they been around any other parishioners who have attended.  This parishioner and the rest of the family have been instructed not to attend public Mass at this time.

Please keep this parishioner in your prayers.  

**Almost every day we receive push-back, by at least one person who objects to at least one of our protocols. However, we will remain firm in our protocols, in an effort to keep all who come to St. Matthias for public liturgical services as safe as possible.  

We urge you to take the proper precautions when you are out-and-about in public, as the number of cases in the surrounding areas seem to be on the rise.  The latest CDC guidelines recommend that everyone should:  

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and if soap and water is not available, to use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

2. Avoid close contact. Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home, staying at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance. Remember that the face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes in a tissue (then throw away) or use the inside of your elbow. Do not spit. Immediately wash or sanitize your hands.

5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

6. Monitor your health. Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19. 

7. Take your temperature. 

8. Stay home, should any of the above symptoms arise.