West Orange Church: Worried About Coronavirus? We're Also Online

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A church in West Orange is giving its congregants a way to calm their anxieties about the novel coronavirus: virtual Sunday services.

On Thursday, The Life Christian Church – which has locations in West Orange and Paramus – announced that it will be offering online worship services as a way to bring faith into the lives of people who can’t show up in person.

The decision to focus on offering online video streaming is a proactive response to serve those who are at risk or who are unsure of attending larger public gatherings, church leaders said.

• See related article: Gov. Murphy Says NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus

Aside from offering virtual services, the church is also taking other precautionary steps to protect its parishioners from the virus during in-person Sunday sermons, such as having extra hand sanitizer locations installed and increasing sanitization routines for all “high-touch” surfaces.

“We're seeing a lot of people share in uncertainty and anxiousness as news surrounding the coronavirus develops,” Pastor Terry Smith said. “We want to make sure no one misses out on the message of hope and love of Jesus Christ.”

“We want to make sure that if someone doesn't feel safe coming to church or isn't able to make it in person on Sunday, they still have a way to hear the message and watch online,” Smith added.

To watch The Life Christian Church’s livestream of online church services this Sunday, visit www.tlcc.org at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

The Life Christian Church isn't the only house of worship in North Jersey to make changes due to the coronavirus.

Earlier this month, the Archdiocese of Newark – which encompasses the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union, and includes about 1.5 million Catholics in 214 parishes – advised churchgoers to avoid shaking hands during the "sign of peace" and stop offering the "blood of Christ" in chalices as part of a series of precautions involving the novel coronavirus.

• See related article: Coronavirus 'Uncertainty' Causes Changes At North Jersey Churches

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WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

CORONAVIRUS NEWS IN ESSEX COUNTY

Catch up on some recent stories involving COVID-19 in Essex County. (Click headlines to read article)

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Coronavirus: Saint Barnabas Hospital Changes Visitor Policies

Saint Barnabas hospital and other RWJBarnabas Health facilities in NJ are temporarily restricting visits due to concerns over COVID-19.

West Orange Schools Will Take Day Off For Coronavirus Planning

The West Orange district will close on March 16. Here are some other updates as local public schools make coronavirus-related changes.

Coronavirus? Nope, Allergies Diverted Newark-Bound Flight: Report

A group of passengers panicked when they saw a fellow traveler coughing and sneezing. It turns out he just had allergies, reports say.

Coronavirus: NJIT Moves Classes Online, Limits Visits

NJIT administrators are encouraging students who live on campus to stay away until regular university operations resume.

Bloomfield Taking Coronavirus 'Very Seriously,' Mayor Says

The Bloomfield Township Health Department released a video to update residents about COVID-19.

Newark Police: False Alarms On Coronavirus Will Be Prosecuted

"Any false reporting of the coronavirus in our city will result in criminal prosecution," Newark's top cop said.

Coronavirus: 2 Big St. Patrick's Day Parades Canceled In Essex County

A pair of highly anticipated holiday parades in Essex County have been postponed. Organizers are planning to reschedule both events.

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