Following his executive order in March urging San Diegans to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, today Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer urged San Diegans to practice both their faiths and physical distancing by celebrating Passover and Easter at home. Joining Mayor Faulconer on what is a holy week for many San Diegans, Pastor Miles McPherson of the Rock Church and Rabbi Devorah Marcus, Senior Rabbi with Temple Emanu-El, discussed ways locals can keep the faith while keeping each other safe.
Recent reports have indicated San Diego’s early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus may be helping to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases. While the Mayor expressed cautious optimism, he continued to deliver a message urging caution, signaling that an early return to normalcy might create a second wave of infections.
“We can keep the faith while keeping each other safe. COVID-19 is an equal opportunity disease that affects people regardless of race or religion, so traditions will and must be different this year to slow the spread of the virus,” Faulconer said. “This is a Passover, a Good Friday, and an Easter like none any of us have ever experienced. But with local religious institutions stepping up with services that families can enjoy from the comfort of their own home, I believe fond memories will be made during this holy week that we’ll never forget.”
“It is our obligation to be God’s partners in this difficult time and to participate in sacred distancing as we extend love to our neighbors, our community, and our city through observing the orders to stay at home,” Marcus said. “This is what sacred distancing is about – expressing our love for each other by doing our part to slow and stop the spread of this virus. Sacred distancing allows us to do our part to keep our beautiful city safe.”
“As we look around at the instability in the world, may we realize the one thing, above all else, that we can place our trust in during these uncertain times is the faithfulness our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” McPherson said. “As He gave His life on this day, may we recognize the weight that He carried, to give us the hope we need for tomorrow! God bless!”
For updates on City of San Diego services, programs, links to helpful information and steps the public can take to help reduce the spread of the disease, please visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.
For information regarding COVID-19 cases and directives from County of San Diego public health officials, please visit coronavirus-sd.com. Text “COSD COVID19” to 468-311 for text alert updates.
A statewide “Stay-at-Home” order is in effect until April 30. For more information on the order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state, please visit COVID19.ca.gov.
