pandemic

On Monday, President Trump issued new guidelines to attempt to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Among the guidelines is one limiting gatherings to ten people of fewer.

Inside the sanctuary of a Los Angeles church, fewer than 100 people gathered in a space that can fit 3,000. Before the Mass began on Sunday, an usher walked the aisles and whispered that the offertory bowl would not be passed around in an effort to avoid the spread of germs. In its place, a lonely basket sat in the center of the aisle for people who wished to drop their gifts.

Martin and Katharina Luther were spared from the black plague -- which broke out in the 1500s -- but they did not know this when they chose to stay behind to care for the sick of their community. They could risk their lives to serve others because they were not afraid to die. Their hope was in proper procedures and medical treatments, but even more, it was in Christ. They trusted their Lord to protect them in life and to bring them to heaven in death, whenever it came.

The Center for Disease Control is recommending that mass gatherings of 50 people or more are put on pause for the next eight weeks in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Chick-fil-A has decided to shut down its dining rooms.

President Trump declared Sunday a National Day of Prayer amid widespread COVID-19 panic.

Churches are closing, sports leagues are suspending seasons, and theme parks are shutting down.

And if you didn’t get the note, Costco banned free samples, too. 

If you’re just catching up – or you don’t know what to believe – here are eight key facts you should know about the coronavirus (COVID-19):

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Samara Heisz

Churches, schools and seminaries around the world are temporarily closing their doors amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

One psychologist notes, “Fear influences how we react to media coverage of health hazards.” In times of anxiety, we tend to pay more attention to threat-related information, which drives up our anxiety and distress.

Washington state's governor ordered three counties to suspend gatherings of more than 250 people amid the Coronavirus outbreak. This ban includes the halting of church services.