COVID-19 “destroying our sisterly love and oneness”: Nun in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has recorded at least 31,646 cases of COVID-19 including 1,075 deaths and 22,877 recoveries.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Dominican Sisters in Zimbabwe is urging strict adherence to COVID-19 measures to minimize the spread of the disease among members.

“We encourage sisters to wear masks and wash their hands all the time. Each community is encouraged to have vitamin C and zinc on the table to boost the immune system of the members,” the Regional Prioress of the Dominican Sisters in Zimbabwe, Sr. Rudo Mastika, has been quoted as saying.

In a Monday, January 25 report, Sr. Mastika continues, “Sisters should maintain their places in common rooms, especially during meals, prayer and recreation. We emphasise on social distancing by utilizing bigger and spacious facilities for prayer and meals where people are not congested to avoid contaminating each other.”

The Regional Prioress who confirms that four Sisters recovered from the disease says the leadership of the Congregation is also encouraging isolation for those showing symptoms of COVID-19.

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Sr. Mastika further says, “There is need for the provision of occupational therapy items, psychological, emotional, spiritual and moral support.”

She goes on to encourage transparency and mutual assistance saying it is “important for other community members to regularly communicate with those not feeling well and to have medical personnel monitoring them.”

The Dominican Nun also encourages the leadership of other Religious Congregations to make bold decisions to and save lives. 

“This is a time of crisis where leaders have to make bold, tough and quick decisions to save lives,” the Regional Prioress of the Dominicans in Zimbabwe says.

She explains, “If one member tests positive, the whole community and contacts have to be tested quickly and the necessary steps taken upon receiving results.”