RICHMOND, Va. - After more than a week in self-quarantine, Bishop Barry C. Knestout has learned that he tested negative for coronavirus.
He'd been isolating himself since March 14 after experiencing cold-like symptoms.
Knesout is bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond which covers all of Hampton Roads.
Tuesday News 3 spoke with him about how he's doing and his message for people struggling to cope right now.
"None of us can exist with just total isolation. We need to have interaction with others, so how can we do that in the circumstances? My reflection was that we do have this technology, technology that allows me to speak with you right now but also to connect with people all around us in a way that still retains that social distance and yet can express affection, care, concern, hear from [others], their needs and then find ways to respond to those needs. Whether it’s just putting together some food in a bag and leaving it out on a doorstep so an elderly neighbor can have something to eat and not worry about having to go out and risk that exposure to the virus itself," said Bishop Knestout.
He said he's encouraging parishioners to reach out to at least ten people a day, whether it's through a phone call or text message to check in.
You can see his full interview with News 3's Erica Greenway in the video above.
