It has been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in India, and most of us know people who have died or been extremely ill. Our hearts go out to everyone who has faced suffering.

Here in the Bir area, we continue to see alarming spikes in COVID cases, so it’s clear that the pandemic is far from over. And many of the villagers in and around Bir are especially vulnerable because of already weakened immune systems, especially the elderly.

It’s wise to wear a mask.

As we see many people understandably anxious to return to ‘life as normal’, and wanting to travel again, we just want to encourage everyone to be as careful as possible. If you can delay your travel until a large percentage of the population has been vaccinated, that is much, much better.

If you must travel, please take maximum precautions: wear your mask at all times, practice social distancing, wash frequently, etc.

We look forward to seeing everyone again after the majority of the population has been vaccinated and the very real danger of the pandemic has passed.

Meanwhile, stay safe!