COVID-19 Update | A Message from Archbishop Jackels

8 February 2021
From Archbishop Jackels

On 5 February 2021, the Governor decreed that the State of Iowa is still in a public health disaster emergency, to continue at least until 7 March 2021.

The same decree recognizes that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is substantially reduced by taking appropriate public health safety measures.

In fact, the Governor still strongly encourages that these reasonable measures be taken throughout the State of Iowa, even though there is no mandate.

Moreover, in some places, in spite of the Governor’s decree, these public health safety measures are still mandated by City or County ordinance.

With regard to Church-sponsored activities (Mass and meetings, school and RE, just to name a few), the public health safety measures will continue to be observed until the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all who are able to receive it, and the CDC announces that the pandemic is under control:

• Stay home if you are sick, frail from age or illness, or vulnerable.

• Wash your hands.

• Wear a mask.

• Avoid physical contact as much as possible.

• Keep a safe (social) distance from people outside your household.

• Sanitize commonly-touched surfaces.

• In church, holy water fonts should be emptied,

• and reusable materials should be removed from pews.

• At Holy Mass, singing should be kept to a minimum,

• liturgical ministers should be kept to a few, or none,

• And only the Host is distributed for Communion, and in the hand.

The COVID is a very contagious and life-threatening virus. For the love of God and neighbor, wear a mask even if it isn’t mandated, and get vaccinated when it becomes available to you.