The local press does a better job of reporting the death of Presentation Sister Helen Jean Washtoak, one of 12 residents of Aberdeen’s Avera Mother Joseph Manor who have died of coronavirus since November 9. Mother Joe did good work keeping the virus out most of the year, but in November, covid-19 got in and infected 44 residents and 40 staff.
Sister Helen Jean’s friend and colleague, Sister Mary Thomas, uses Sister Helen Jean’s passing to remind us of the importance of wearing masks to prevent others from getting sick… and reporter Elisa Sand does us the public service of putting that important message from the Sisters at the top:
Wearing a mask is an easy precaution to take in minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
…In recent weeks, the Presentation Sisters have spoken out in favor of mask use, most recently after the Aberdeen City Council rejected a proposed ordinance that would have required mask use among residents.
From the beginning, Thomas said the Presentation Sister and anyone who interacts with them, have been asked to wear masks.
“We really do believe in what the CDC is telling us,” she said. “This helps, first of all, you, so our neighbor, from me and, if you wear a mask, you’re taking care of protecting me as well.”
Thomas said wearing a mask was just one of the ways the sisters could demonstrate ongoing support of those in the medical community [Elisa Sand, “For Presentation Sisters, Wearing a Mask Demonstrates the Greater Good {paywall},” Aberdeen American News, 2020.12.18].
Sister Mary succinctly and in loving, Christian terms, rebuffs those who claim wearing a mask is an imposition on their liberty:
“Is it inconvenient, yes. Is it a hardship, no. So you kind of have to look at the degree of imposition,” Thomas said. “I think I would want to know if I was visiting with someone who was more vulnerable because of underlying conditions, and I didn’t find out until later (about testing positive), It would relieve my heart so much to know in that moment I did all I could to preserve them from me and so that brings me peace of mind and heart” [Sand, 2020.12.18].
Honor Sister Helen Jean and her lifetime of service to others. Protect the Sisters who still live and work for the greater good here in Aberdeen and around the world. Stay home for Christmas. If you can’t stay home, wear your mask.
No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service. Freedom at its finest.