A Coronavirus delay

I spoke to the guy in charge at the Lilly Endowment last Friday, but internet in my little rural valley has been terrible the last few days, and I've been busy learning how to do church for my community from home.  (hint: internet doesn't work well.)

They are going to, in this extraordinary situation, let me delay the sabbatical, if necessary, until next year.   The situation raises some issues (for example, I will not be able to just move my travel insurance, because it is for people under 65 and by next May I will be too old for it) but ensures that I really do get to go on my trip.

I haven't yet canceled anything, but will in mid-late April.  Depending on how things look over the next five weeks, I might try to reschedule for August - October.  IF the Iona community decides to hold my retreat and IF Brot und Roses still wants me (both of which happen in August.)    But I think there is a very great likelihood that this virus emergency will continue at least through the entire summer, and into the Fall.  If that happens, I'll be again setting my sights on May, but this time, May 2021.  As Easter is early (April 4) in 2021, I might leave a tad earlier than I'd planned for this year.

So the sabbatical will still happen, just in a delayed timeframe.   The waiting will continue.

I am, this week, deeply grateful to the Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Grant program for the grace to delay as I have to.   I feel blessed.

The Looming Shadow of Corona Virus

Enough people have asked me that I decided it was time to write something in my blog about the Sabbatical and how it might be impacted by the current situation with regard to the Corona Virus.

What will happen?   The short answer is, "I don't know."

Right now I am a bit more than 9 weeks out.   LOTS could happen in nine weeks.   The virus could taper off as warm weather approaches (though most organizations are assuming it will not.)  The pandemic could become so ubiquitous that travel doesn't make a difference.

But basically my thoughts are the following:

If I can go, I will go.   This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it runs out at the end of the summer when my granddaughter goes to school and I need to be home for her in the afternoons.   If I am well, and if the countries I plan to travel to let me in, I'll be there.

If I am well:

I am doing everything I can, from frequent hand washing, to washing surfaces, to keeping my distance from people, to stay well.  I will on travel, too.    I ordered antiseptic towelettes to wash off surfaces in hotels and hostels.   I'll carry some masks (I have a few that I bought a few years ago) in case they are needed.   I'm practicing not touching my face and social distancing as part of just being a pastor.    If I become unwell in Israel or Europe, I have travel insurance and will follow up on whatever is recommended.   As I write this, Israel, which has some of the most restrictive rules on incoming travelers,  is requiring self-quarantine for visitors, but as the virus spreads and testing widens, this may be modified.   In any case I will not get on a plane sick, and I will do what I can to prevent my germs getting in other people's space.

If they let me in:

Not sure this will happen.  Right now where I am in Central PA has none of the virus, but that could change any minute.   Some countries (Israel in particular) are being quite strict on travelers, others are not.   Right now, Italy is out (and I had planned close to two weeks there) as well.

Alternatives:

1.   Not travel - not good.  Kind of blows the whole thing out of the water.
2.  Travel, but remain flexible.   Avoid virus hot spots.   Maybe I spend an extra week in the Holy Land, and an extra week in Malta/Switzerland/England if I can't go to Italy.    Maybe I do the Luther Trail instead of the Jesus Trail if I can't go to Israel.    I'm researching alternatives now.  I have noticed that while the CDC is recommending travel restrictions, the WHO is not.  They consider them ineffective except occasionally at the beginning of an outbreak.  It is, I think, an advantage that my travel is largely solitary (and a disadvantage that it relies so heavily on hostels.)

So there it is, my current thoughts.   Things will change, I am sure, so stay tuned.

And pray.