ELMER'S POST ON CORONAVIRUS

Marilyn asked if one of us could tell of our Amish and coronavirus.  I thought Bishop Eli should and he thought I should, so here I am.  He did tell me not to go on page after page.

I guess I should start that all of our schools and Old Order Mennonite Schools are closed.  There was a discussion before they closed.  Teachers made out school plans so the children could continue with their studies at home.  As Edward has a photo-copy machine in his tax office, they made copies for their students there.  When the children had their last school day, they got their school plans to go home with them.  Now on Monday thru Friday, the teachers go from home to home to see how the students are doing and if they have any questions or problems.  In most cases they never know when the teacher will stop in.  The reason they closed the school was because of the state of New York.

The Amish Animal Auction was last weekend.  Bishop Eli decided that it should be closed for a few weeks.  People that come to the auction are Amish, Mennonite and Englisher.  A "few weeks" has not been decided.  Bishop Eli said this could change as conditions improve.

Our church services are continuing as of last Sunday.  If anyone has a cold, cough, sneeze, etc. they should not attend church.  Otherwise church service continued.  Whose ever house service it being held in is cleaned from top to bottom.  Last Sunday, we were handed hand washing sheets as we entered the door.  Also, there were containers of these around the house.  When it came time for dinner, we all washed our hands before and after dinner.  After we packed up the dishes that go home from home to home on Sunday.  The ladies cleaned the area we all sat and ate again including the kitchen.  The next house church will be held will get cleaned the same way.

Anna keeps out house spotless.  It seems she gets done cleaning and she starts again..  She said, at this time, we have to be careful.

Anna also had a problem getting toilet paper.  We have two bathrooms in our house, and we buy packages that have 12 rolls in the pack.  When we open the 12 pack, toilet paper goes on the grocery list so we don't run out. Well, Anna went to get groceries and toiler paper was on the list.  She went to Aldi's, Wal-Mart and finally to Wegman's.  She got the toilet paper at Wegman's.  She just bought two packs - one for each bathroom.   Meat is another problem getting.  This week John and Dottie are talking Anna, Jean and some other Amish and Old Order Mennonite ladies to Saunder's in Seneca Falls for meat.  Anna and I laughed, we probably would't have had milk either if we didn't have a barn full of cows.

So far working still goes on.  David, Michael and I put a new roof on a house that got blown off in the last wind storm.  Also, Michael and I have put the siding on  a couple of houses.  We try to keep going normal as much as we can.  With businesses and stores closed, we have to think of places to get supplies.

Amish have called on Anna more for medical advice than use to.  Some are afraid to go to the hospital because coronavirus could be in the hospital.  But if someone is so ill that they have to be in the hospital, Anna tells them.  Anna also says their are a few (usually men) that say they have all the illness feelings of sickness and there isn't a thing wrong with them.  The thing is, Anna says, even if you know they are well, they have to be checked out.

We are trying to me careful, drink water, and keep everything spotless.

Trust God's Wisdom.
Elmer