COVID-19 causing widespread social disruption in San Juan County

The worldwide pandemic triggered by the COVID-19 virus has disrupted life in San Juan County and beyond. In addition to the enormous economic, education, and health care impacts, the distancing required by the public health response has had enormous social impacts.
Religious communities generally come together to celebrate the Easter season during this weekend.
While it is anticipated that families and small groups will commemorate the holiday, there will be no large gatherings of any type this Easter season.
Following the trend over recent weeks, all group gathering larger than ten people have been canceled.
Even though gatherings are not possible, religious worship will continue in different ways. The First Baptist Church in Monticello has been streaming services on Facebook and holding gatherings on Zoom. People across the globe are expected to join in a special fast on Good Friday.
Observances and celebrations of all types have been affected by the pandemic, including births, weddings, and funerals.
Lynne Shumway was not able to travel to Salt Lake City to attend the birth of her first biological grandchild.
Lynne explains that she feels good about the painful decision she made to not attend the delivery of her daughter’s first baby.
Lynne reports that the baby was delivered healthy and is doing great. She can’t wait to greet the new baby.
“Everybody is affected in some way or another,” said Lynne of the pandemic. “It is amazing how the impact snowballs in every direction in life.”
Moving up their initial wedding date of May 1, Davi Bowring and Cody Noyes were married in the Bountiful Temple on March 20 in front of a small group of eight other people.
“It’s ok,” said Davi’s mother Sherrill. “We have learned that a lot of little things really don’t matter.”
The move was made in less than a week after changes to regular church services were announced. The family realized the wedding could be impacted.
Adding to the excitement was an earthquake two days before the wedding. By the day after the wedding, the temple had closed because of the pandemic.
A small group of about 30 people celebrated in the temple courtyards after the ceremony. No large reception, no boisterous open house, no big celebration.
Less than a week later, Davi’s brother Easton Bowring had returned from the church mission he was serving in Louisiana.
The need to gather as friends and family is no greater than during the loss of a loved one.
James Harvey, age 85, passed away on March 19 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Although he has five children, 28 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, in addition to a large extended family and a lifetime of friends, they were unable to hold a funeral service to honor his life.
A brief graveside service and interment was held at the small cemetery in Eastland on March 25.