ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - One of the oldest Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States is foregoing Sunday Mass indefinitely as New Mexico officials look to curb the spread of the new coronavirus by prohibiting large gatherings and urging the public to limit social contact.
With a history that stretches back more than four centuries in what is now New Mexico, the Catholic Church is woven into the state’s fabric, making it an even tougher decision for Archbishop John C. Wester to ask parishes across central and northern New Mexico to suspend the public celebration of Mass and other services.
This marks the first Sunday many within the archdiocese won’t gather for Mass. Catholic leaders in Las Cruces and Gallup say Mass will continue as scheduled but that parishioners aren’t obligated to attend given the public health emergency.
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe says churches will remain open for individual prayer and parishioners can catch Mass via a recording available on television, radio and online.
Wester cautioned that illnesses in congregations can spread rapidly and that while a parishioner might be dismissive with his or her own life and health, they have a duty to safeguard the lives and health of others. He called it charity for “our neighbors’ welfare.”
“The decisions leading to these instructions are not made lightly, as we are keenly aware that they will be upsetting to many of the faithful,” the archbishop said in a statement. “However, mindful of the responsibility for the care of all souls, this very temporary suspension of public Mass is weighed against the tragic possibility of facilitating an epidemic with its resultant sickness and the possibility of hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.”
State health officials announced Sunday that four more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, pushing New Mexico’s total to 17. They said the latest cases all were men from Bernalillo County - one in his 20s, two in their 30s and one in his 40s.
Previous cases were reported in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Socorro counties. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has said more cases are likely to emerge as testing ramps up via drive-thru screening centers.
The virus usually causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But some people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, can be hit with more severe illness, including pneumonia.
According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. Of the more than 80,000 people in China diagnosed with the coronavirus, more than 65,000 have recovered.
In addition to announcing the closure of public schools on Friday, New Mexico officials decided Saturday to order nursing homes to limit visitation to people whose loved ones are receiving end-of-life care. Those visitors allowed in will have their temperatures checked and will be escorted at all times.
The state Aging and Long-Term Services Department plans to deploy several cameras and hundreds of tablets that families can use for electronic visits.
In southern New Mexico, horse racing will continue at Sunland Park but without spectators in the stands. The track announced that access to viewing areas was being restricted to only those individuals licensed by the state Racing Commission. That means the upcoming Sunland Derby and Sunland Park Oaks will take place but will be closed to the public.
Pojoaque Pueblo temporarily closed its three casinos north of Santa Fe due to the positive tests turning up in New Mexico. Officials say the 14-day closure will begin Monday. The tribe’s hotels will remain open.
Bars and other liquor establishments in New Mexico can stay open and serve customers, but the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department said Saturday they’re precluded from holding concerts, DJ’d events or similar happenings until the public health emergency order is lifted.
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