Last week we communicated the seven milestones toward which the church is progressing in order to re-open. We continue to make progress towards our milestones. However, we also want to be responsive to the changing health environment in California and LA County. The current spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths is not without notice.
In response:
Effective July 6, we are once again closing the MBCLA office. This is our part to slow the spread and we will continue to evaluate the health landscape.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in California jumped 56% in the last two weeks. Cases have hit daily records four times within that span. In Los Angeles, cases are approaching their daily high. While some may attribute this to the increase in testing, we have also seen a rise in the test rate. A greater percentage of tests are returning positive in California and LA County. It is for this reason that Governor Newsom suspended dine-in service in LA County restaurants. The spike also led DPH Director Barbara Ferrer to say, "Immediate action is necessary in order for us to get back on track to slow the spread.”
- We also remind church members to remain vigilant in personal health practices, such as wearing a mask. As Paul writes in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
- We encourage you to take special precautions on the Fourth of July. Let us avoid unnecessary exposure by staying away from crowds, confined spaces, and close contact.
- We invite you to join us in prayer for decreasing cases and a flattened curve. Let us persevere as we intercede for the communities around us.
各位親愛的弟兄姊妹們，在上週的更新中，我們報告了教會重啟的七項關鍵程序。在我們持續為策劃完成這七項程序而努力的同時，我們也密切注意疫情在加州及洛杉磯郡的發展。對近日新冠肺炎單日確診人數及死亡人數的持續飆高，我們深表關切。
因此，
從7月6日起，我們將再度關閉教會的辦公室。這是教會對減少病毒傳播可盡的一點努力。我們將持續評估疫情的發展。
在過去二週內，加州因新冠肺炎住院人數增加了56%，而其中四天單日確診人數創了單日新高紀錄。而洛杉磯郡近日的單日確診人數，也已接近單日最高紀錄。雖然或許有些人會認為那是因為更多人接受測試的結果，然而，我們也見證到確診率的飆高。在洛杉磯郡，接受測試而確診的比率明顯上升。正因為如此，紐森州長下令所有洛杉磯郡的餐館再度暫停提供堂食。洛杉磯郡公共衛生局長芭芭拉．費雷爾博士也就最近的疫情飆高，發表言論，她表示，"我們必須立即採取行動，只有如此，我們才有可能繼續減緩病毒的傳染。"
基於這些最新發展：
- 我們鄭重提醒各位弟兄姊妹繼續維持個人衛生習慣，如戴口罩。正如使徒保羅在加拉太書6：9所教導我們的，"我們行善，不可喪志，若不灰心，到了時候，就要收成。"
- 我們鼓勵弟兄姊妹們在7月4日國慶日的週末，要做好特別的防範工作。請盡量避免與人不必要的接觸，如不去到人多的地方或參加大型派對，不在狹小的空間逗留，不與人太靠近的接觸。
- 請與我們一同為疫情的得到控制，確診人數的減低和病毒傳播減緩而忠心向神祈求禱告。