There was even more sobering words coming out of Washington D.C. today. But there was some encouraging ones too.

As far as Louisiana goes, get ready to be calling Waitr if you want to eat out. And you can join the beer section to the already empty shelves of bread and toilet paper at the grocery store.

On this 16th of March, 3-16, it may be good to reflect on the famous passage from the Gospel of John, 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

The American people continue to feel the effects of the coronavirus, as counter measures continue to spread perhaps more quickly than the virus itself. Speaking from the White House Monday afternoon, President Trump called for stricter guidelines concerning bars, restaurants, and any gathering of people of any number.

It is a time to believe. It is a time to hunker down and ride out the storm. It is a time to do what none of us wants to do.

“We’ve made the decision to further toughen the guidelines and blunt the infection now. We’d much rather be ahead of the curve than behind it,” Trump said. “My administration is recommending that all Americans, including the young and healthy, work to engage in schooling from home when possible, avoid gathering in groups of more than ten people, avoid discretionary travel, and avoid eating and drinking in bars, restaurants and public food courts.”

“If everyone makes this change or these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus and have a big celebration together,” he continued. “Our government is prepared to do whatever it takes.”

There was good news coming from Washington D.C. as well: the President confirmed the testing of a vaccine. Dr Anthony Fauci said the first injection was today.

“We now need to appeal to every single American about stopping the spread of this virus,” Dr. Deborah Birx said, specifically calling on the millennial generation to step up and be responsible. “To be able to address this virus comprehensively, that we cannot see, for which we don’t have a vaccine or a therapeutic, the only thing we have right now is the amazing ingenuity and compassion of the American people. We’re appealing to all Americans to take these steps to protect each other and to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread. These guidelines are very specific, they’re very detailed. They will only work if every American takes this together to heart and responds as one nation and one people to stop the spread of this virus.”

Also today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced similar restrictions for the state. He closed casinos, bars, movie theaters, and limited restaurants to delivery, takeout, and drive-thru orders only.

Moreover, the size of gatherings has been decreased from 250 to 50 since Friday.

When asked how long Americans should expect these kind of restrictions to continue, President Trump said the virus could be “washed out,” as he termed it, by July or August. He said the economy, which is, expectedly, taking a hit right now on Main Street and Wall Street, will “work itself out.”

Let’s just hope the American people continue to work on patience and perseverance and not go into destructive mode as these months of waiting play out. We need to continue to believe in God, grow in our faith, and use this time to focus on some of the things that perhaps get ignored when our lives are overflowing with plenty.