[dropcap]J[/dropcap]osie is with us this week, and she has a new job! She also has a fantastic international roundup of news ready to go. As you might imagine, there's plenty of COVID content there, but much of it is good news!

The Italian government is set to allow the Church to reopen. Because in Italy, there is no freedom and the government can tell you what to do. Socialists!

But how will it be when we do reopen, either in Italy or anywhere else? Will congregants return? Will the Church be forced to issue a letter from the First Presidency rescinding the authority to hold meetings and bless the sacrament at home? Some have done data analyses to predict this, but the most we can do at present is speculate. Will you be returning?

How has it been for women during the lockdown, particularly those without a priesthood holder in the home? Jana Riess offers up some useful research on the plight of women who simply haven't had access to the sacrament or priesthood blessings during this lockdown, a fact that calls into question—at least notionally—the idea that women might not be priesthood holders, but they have full access to the power of the priesthood.

More temple are also reopening, as the Church adds to its ever-expanding list of "Phase 1" buildings - those that are open in a limited capacity. We've yet to figure out the geographical choices.

Other COVID news:

* We've also had an interfaith day of prayer and hope to combat COVID.

* Brisbane Australia Stake organized care packages for 115 quarantined missionaries before they could be reassigned/sent home

* Macarthur Stake in Sydney, Australia hosted a Zoom-based self-reliance course.

* Area presidencies have had series of meetings with Cambodian government to organize humanitarian support and healthcare improvement projects, including CPR training for police officers and assisting hospitals with cleanliness.

* A London mission president couple host monthly devotional from the mission home, most recently including some interfaith influence from Revd Dr Andrew Teal, chaplain, fellow, and lecturer at Pembroke College Oxford. These devotionals supposedly reaching +32,000 viewers from 45 countries including South Africa, Japan, Thailand, Tonga, and others. How did they hear about this?

* The Cardiff Wales Stake made and delivered