The Peru Gazette

Source: DHS announces ‘essential travel’ categories | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: ‘People want to be prepared’ | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

By Elizabeth Doran | edoran@syracuse.com

The immediate family of the deceased can now attend a private funeral and burial in New York. That’s the state government’s clarification of the rules, the state funeral director’s association said today.

Plattsburgh, March 20, 2020. A third case of COVID-19 has been identified in Clinton County. The female, in her thirties, was identified as a direct contact of the second confirmed case. Since that time, she has been quarantined at home to limit the possibility of spreading the virus to others. The individual is now isolated at home and contact tracing by the Clinton County Health Department will begin. If you are you are identified as a close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19, Clinton County Health Department will contact you directly.

“We anticipate that the number of cases in our region will continue to rise,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health for Clinton County. Our hospital, emergency services personnel and health care professionals are prepared to handle this crisis, however, we must all do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Our goal is to slow the number of new cases so that local resources can keep pace.”

For most people, COVID-19 will produce mild symptoms. Certain individuals, however, including older adults and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. Director of Health Care Services, Erin Streiff stressed, “Those who are ill or have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or someone who has tested positive for the illness, must stay home. Stay home also if you have been in contact with anyone who is sick. She further advised “Even those who are well, should stay at home as much as possible.”

Mr. Kanoza added, “We need to shield those who are most vulnerable from this virus and we need to ensure that our health care workers stay well. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 will save lives.”

Additional guidance about minimizing the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Tim Lahey, MD, an infectious disease expert at UVM Medical Center, we’re underscoring the need for all of us to avoid unnecessary contact with others. This will slow the spread of the virus in our communities, giving us a better chance to quickly and effectively treat those who need help.

This message applies to everyone. If you’re younger and healthy, staying home will help curtail the spread of the virus to older or more fragile family members, friends and neighbors. And if you’re older, you should stay home to protect yourself and those around you.

This is such a simple but important step in confronting this public health threat. By staying home as much as we can, we will save lives. As Dr. Lahey says, this is a once-in-a-lifetime call to action: We have a duty to take care of each other.

1- Spiritual help is always available. Our Masses are no longer public, but they are still taking place in private, and being broadcast on Facebook. The simplest way to find the Masses is to go to Facebook and type “St Augustine’s Parish Peru” into the search bar.

2- Parishioners are encouraged to pray a spiritual communion with their families and to watch the Mass on television or over the internet when they are able to.

3- The Church remains open for private prayer from approximately 6am until 9pm each day. Church staff is cleaning and disinfecting the Church throughout the day.

4- Confessions are still being heard from 3-4pm on Saturday, and 8-9am on Sunday, or anytime by appointment.

5- The Sacrament of the Sick is still available by calling the rectory, at 518-643-6759.

6- Father Alan and Seminarian Tom Middleton continue to pray the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day on behalf of our parishioners.

What is a Spiritual Communion?

By Dr. Mark Miravalle

Make Spiritual Communions.
 piritual Communions comprise classic spiritual practices which calls for an immediate renewal during our present Mass-less Sunday experience. A Spiritual Communion is a spiritual practice in which the Christian, after professing his or her belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, requests Jesus to spiritually enter the soul.
 Saint Thomas Aquinas describes a Spiritual Communion as a holy desire to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and a loving embrace from Jesus as though we had already received him. Saint after saint have recommended this powerfully spiritual practice. St. Catherine of Siena compared it to receiving Jesus from a “silver Chalice” instead of the gold chalice of the Eucharist, and St. Padre Pio spoke of great efficacy in spiritually uniting with Jesus throughout the day.

Pope St. John Paul II strongly recommends the practice of Spiritual Communions in Ecclesia de Eucharistia:
…It is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of “spiritual communion,” which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life. St. Teresa of Jesus wrote: “When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you” [The Way of Perfection, Ch. 35](EE,34 ).

The basic elements for a Spiritual Communion are as follows:

Express your belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist: “Jesus, I love you and I believe that you are really present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist.”

Express your inability to receive Jesus sacramentally in the Eucharist: “Jesus, unfortunately, I cannot receive you sacramentally in Holy Communion at this time.”

Invite Jesus to spiritually enter your soul: “Jesus, I now ask you to spiritually enter my soul” (followed a brief time of silence and receptivity to the spiritual entrance of Jesus into your soul).

Offer your thanksgiving: “Jesus, thank you for spiritually entering my soul. I love you, I praise you, and I adore you for your infinite grace and mercy.”

If you are able to watch the Mass on television, make your Spiritual Communion after the “Lamb of God,” when you would normally receive Holy Communion.

Source: It’s official: New York State calls off exams due to coronavirus closures

Source: State joins Feds in extending tax deadline to July 15 | Newsday

Source: Vermont allows takeout and delivery of alcohol for businesses

As per Governor Cuomo’s office and Assemblyman Billy’s Jones’ office who has been in direct contact with Supervisor McDonald, all non-essential employees are being sent home as of 3:00 pm today, March 20, 2020. Those who can, will work from home.

In an effort to protect our Town workers and the public from exposure during the Corona Virus Outbreak, we are closing the Town Hall, Water & Sewer Dept., Highway Dept. and Court Building to visitors until further notice.

Washington, D.C. – Following Governor Cuomo’s call on the federal government to release the federal stockpile of medical equipment to address the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Stefanik joined him in urging the President to ramp up production of PPE and other medical equipment. On Wednesday, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act, which allows him to direct manufacturers to make certain equipment that is necessary for the United States to deal with a crisis, whether that be a war or a pandemic, in order to promote our national defense.

“I strongly support the call for the federal government to increase production and manufacturing capacity immediately for ventilators and personal protective equipment,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Our health care personnel are working overtime to save lives. We must work together to step up as a nation to meet this unprecedented challenge. I believe President Trump should take action under the Defense Production Act to meet our nation’s needs during this national emergency.”

Source: Cuomo orders non-essential remain home, coronavirus cases top 7,100

Source: Stay at home and enjoy Tom Chapin ’66 and the Chapin Sisters

Source: Health Professional Survey | Department of Health

Source: Streaming Storytime: Plattsburgh children’s author organizes online video library | NCPR News

Source: Barber shops, hair and nail salons ordered to close by governor | WNYT.com

Source: US tax filing deadline moved to July 15, Steven Mnuchin says – CNNPolitics

Source: Coronavirus live updates: Cuomo asks health-care retirees to be reserve force

Source: Section VII officially suspends all sports | Sports | pressrepublican.com

**In an effort to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, this Town Board Meeting will not be open to the public. The minutes will be available online as soon as they are approved at the following Board Meeting of April 13, 2020. Thank you your understanding in this matter and stay safe!

Source: Stay Home, Save Lives: Clinton County calls on residents to reduce spread of coronavirus | NCPR News

Good afternoon!

For the time being, the Peru Democratic Committee is suspending our monthly meetings. We will be sure to notify all of our members when we are able to hold a meeting again and of any big news or action items that crop up between now and then.

In the meantime, if you find yourself in need of assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Several of our members would be happy to help you with simple errands, etc. If you would like to be placed on a check-in list, please respond to this email to let me know. Being on the check-in list means one of our members will give you a call to check-in on you, chat for a bit,  and see if you need anything from the grocery store or pharmacy. If that sounds like something you’d like, drop me an email and I’ll get you set up.

On a personal note: I hope you are well and in good spirits despite the challenges we are facing today. Though we cannot gather together as we might like to do, we can still be here for one another.

With warm regards,
Marque Moffett
Secretary
Peru Democratic Committee

Source: Unemployment filings surge in NY in coranavirus: How and when to file

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is leading a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy urging passage of temporary legislative authority for the Secretary of Education to proactively waive all federal testing, accountability, and fiscal requirements for elementary and secondary schools.

“With schools focused on ensuring students have access to meals and finding ways to continue learning during closures, the federal government needs to provide more certainty and relief,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Teachers and school leaders have enough on their plates – it is time for a one-year pause on all federal testing requirements. Secretary DeVos has taken steps in her power to allow states and districts to pursue testing waivers because of the COVID-19 crisis. However, these steps do not eliminate burdensome paperwork and uncertainty for local school districts. A blanket waiver will require congressional action, and I urge my colleagues in the House to come together to ease the burden on teachers and school districts.”