NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two of St. Thomas Hospital's chaplains are asking the public to wear masks during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Reverends Jill Zimmer and John Raphael said they've seen the harmful potential of the virus and are hoping other Christians will choose to be compassionate.
"If we're talking about the greatest commandment being love, then I'm wearing this mask not necessarily for my protection but in kindness and protection for my neighbor," said Zimmer on a video call, Wednesday.
"I think it is more personal because I have been with family members whose loved ones have died. So, then to hear someone say they do not want to wear a mask or act as if a mask is a huge sacrifice, is painful," she said.
A representative of the hospital said they were disturbed by the anti-mask arguments being made online and elsewhere. They're saying wearing a mask will reduce the spread of coronavirus and protect people who are immunocompromised.
"Though we don't know everything about this particular virus, we do know enough to know what is going to help to minimize the impact. To minimize the infection rate," said Raphael.
Zimmer said most people who are anti-mask haven't had someone personally impacted by the virus. She said it's difficult to be against masks when you see the lasting impacts of the sickness.
