My church's upcoming COVID protocols
Aug. 18th, 2022 08:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeMy church sent out an email today regarding what the COVID protocols will be when the new church year starts in September:
I'm ... not really happy about this. The state is still running well over a thousand new confirmed cases per day; add in the probable cases, and the state's 7-day case rate is currently 131.58 per 100k population per week. In other words, pick eight hundred people at random in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the odds are at least one of them got COVID in the past week. Granted, the church isn't so big that we can pack that many people into a service. However, with case rates this high, we are absolutely going to have folks catch COVID, and some of them aren't going to realize it; Unless we've found some way to make parts of the Sanctuary magically COVID-proof, running maskless anywhere in the service is just begging for community spread.
I'm even less happy about non-worship activities being "mask optional." Granted, I fully expect that the folks at my church will respect individual participant's requests - but I fear that those mask requests will be seen by some as impositions, and that there will be subtle pressure to ditch the masks "because, of course, none of us are sick". (Possibly not-so-subtle pressure, depending.)
I also haven't heard yet what the plan is going to be for the choir. Especially as, last year, the basses and tenors were singing right behind the pulpit. The same pulpit that will be mask-optional for those speaking therefrom.
Yikes.
Starting with the September 11th service, our guidance is:
- All rooms in use should use the air filters and may also open windows when weather permits.
- Masks will still be worn in the sanctuary, but people may unmask in the balcony. Speakers at the pulpit, and soloists or small musical ensembles may be unmasked.
- We will be decreasing the number of roped-off pews. But before sharing a pew with people outside your household, please ask those already seated if they are comfortable with you sitting with them.
- Masks should be worn in all staff offices, unless the staff member specifies otherwise, as well as the church office where the copier and mailboxes are, next to Deedee’s office.
- Children, teachers, and other volunteers will continue to mask in our Religious Education classes and programs.
- All other activities that are not in the sanctuary including committee meetings, task groups, and events are "mask optional." Individual groups, such as Small Group Ministry groups may decide their own comfort level for their group, and we encourage all groups to check in with one another about comfort levels regarding masking.
- Coffee Hour will be mask-optional, and will again include coffee! This will start up on our Ingathering Sunday, September 11th, in Fellowship Hall. Social distancing is not required, but please respect the comfort level of those around you.
As always, those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask should do so and they will be respected for their choice.
I'm ... not really happy about this. The state is still running well over a thousand new confirmed cases per day; add in the probable cases, and the state's 7-day case rate is currently 131.58 per 100k population per week. In other words, pick eight hundred people at random in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the odds are at least one of them got COVID in the past week. Granted, the church isn't so big that we can pack that many people into a service. However, with case rates this high, we are absolutely going to have folks catch COVID, and some of them aren't going to realize it; Unless we've found some way to make parts of the Sanctuary magically COVID-proof, running maskless anywhere in the service is just begging for community spread.
I'm even less happy about non-worship activities being "mask optional." Granted, I fully expect that the folks at my church will respect individual participant's requests - but I fear that those mask requests will be seen by some as impositions, and that there will be subtle pressure to ditch the masks "because, of course, none of us are sick". (Possibly not-so-subtle pressure, depending.)
I also haven't heard yet what the plan is going to be for the choir. Especially as, last year, the basses and tenors were singing right behind the pulpit. The same pulpit that will be mask-optional for those speaking therefrom.
Yikes.
