Dear Parents of Missionaries,
I am writing you as your missionary’s mission nurse to give you the latest updates about what is going on here in Louisiana and Mississippi. Your missionaries have been our biggest priority and determining the best actions to take for their safety and health.
Our mission is strictly following guidelines given to us by Prophets and Apostles who not only have directions from the Lord, but have great physicians in charge of the health and well-being of our missionaries. Please know that we are caring for each of you sons and daughters as if they were our own. We stress to them that as long as they are obedient to the rules and guidelines they are given, they will receive the extra protection the Lord has promised them as missionaries.
While all of our missionaries have been asked to have a 72 hour kit for emergencies like a hurricane, they have not been asked to store supplies for a pandemic. As we have been able to get information, we have told them to please do this as quickly as possible. If they have difficulty getting what they need, we will look at ways to help them.
I have a list of every missionary that is in a high risk category, as well as secondary issues they have that require on-going medication. These high risk missionaries have been told to update me daily as to their health. If they develop cold or flu symptoms and run a fever over 100 degrees F, We will do what is needed to care for them.
Let me talk a little bit about quarantine. We don’t expect any missionaries to be quarantined. Higher risk missionaries are being asked to self-isolate. We are also asking for self-isolation if one of the companions is ill. Self-isolation is a far cry from Quarantine. They won’t be cooped up in their apartment for weeks. They can go outside. They can go for walks or ride their bikes. Food, cleaning supplies, and if necessary medicines will be delivered to them, if it becomes necessary. They will be asked to shop early in the morning when the stores are less crowded. Local church members are also available to help with this if it becomes necessary. They will not be performing their duties as normal. A six-foot space has been asked between all companions and any people they may come in contact with. If they have appointments they are asked to see if anyone in the home has a cold or cough prior to going, and make other arrangements if that is the case. Much work will be done electronically by phone. They will not be giving blessings to the sick. They will not be visiting nursing homes, hospitals, or any elderly that are sick. This will be the job of the individual wards and branches. They will not be having Zone Conference until further notice. They may hold district council in whatever way keeps them safe. If anyone is ill, or in the high risk category, they will not attend in person but join in other ways (electronically).
Please be positive in every way when you communicate with your missionary. Their mental health is as important as their physical health. It is very important that you support them through this difficult time. If you are feeling fear or anxiety about your missionary, please, please, please to do not share that with them. It causes them to be over fearful or anxious. Continue to share your love and confidence in them and in our leaders whom we love and support. Fill them with confidence and joy at their opportunity to serve the Lord and your knowledge that they will be happy and successful even during this trying time.
We will go to the ends of the earth to keep your children safe and healthy. Also be aware that they are probably safer here than they would be at home. Most of them are in small rural town where the outbreak is very unlikely to occur and nearly impossible as long as guidelines are followed. Putting them on an airplane home would actually put them at higher risk of exposure. The Stake Presidents met together today electronically and there are no members affected by the virus at this time. If we keep it that way, we will all be weathering the storm well.
Please listen to President Nelson’s message on the home page of LDS.org. It is a message of joy and love, and to be faithful during this time. It is also posted on Facebook.
At the risk of being bombarded by calls, I am giving you all my personal email and phone # so that if you have any specific worries, you can contact me. If your missionary expresses any worries to you, please feel free to call me or have them call me.
Sister Anne Jackson
