Dr. Ella's What We Know Now - March 28, 2022 COVID Update

What We Need To Know Now
Continue to use the frequently-updated CDC County Tracker Tool for checking Community Levels of Risk for any county in the U.S. The tracker tool is also included on the CDC’s How to Protect Yourself page, which provides important additional information about risk-specific masking, testing, distancing, quarantine, isolation, etc.

Decisions about preventative precautions such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, good ventilation, and hand washing in churches, businesses, schools, and other gathering places remain crucial to our health and well-being. Foremost among considerations are the many challenges that our immunocompromised, senior, and vaccine-ineligible neighbors and family members are facing as restrictions are lifted all around them. We are called to sustain mindfulness and care for the most vulnerable among us; may our mindfulness inform sound decisions and actions in this time of new guideline impacts on the most vulnerable.

Individuals need to understand risk levels in their communities to make decisions not only in their county’s context, but also in the context of their particular health needs and the needs of others for whom they may provide services, support, direct care, and/or frequent engagement. The personal choice to wear a mask is always an option for anyone living in Low or Moderate Risk Communities.

Even as we celebrate the steady decline in new cases and CoVID-19 related deaths, we must do so with an eye toward preparation and readiness to respond quickly in the event of another surge. Our familiar practices of mask wearing, physical distancing, hand washing, and good ventilation not only must be maintained in High Risk communities and in other contexts deemed essential, but also must be retained and readily available when needed again.

Re-Entering Well
Throughout this longer-than-anticipated season of disruption and new ways of being church together, Bishop Easterling and church leaders have stressed that the safety and health of every person is our priority. Each context is different, but our shared goal is the same. While requirements for masking and physical distancing differ from one county to the next, recommendations from infectious disease experts do not.

CURRENT UPDATES
As we enter the third year of the CoVID-19 pandemic, the Omicron variant and other developments present challenges for public health that require churches and other community groups to stay well-informed about the virus’ spread and the vaccination rates in their areas. Ella Curry, PhD, MTS, RN, a consultant in infectious disease, offers important relevant facts and resources to shape decision making.

This month, Curry provides a snapshot of the journey, encourages churches to use the CDC County Check Widget and the CDC guidelines on How to Protect Yourself and Others, to continue the use of N-95 and KN-95 masks at indoor gatherings and other updates.

NEW! - Dr. Ella's What We Know Now - March 28, 2022 Covid Update
This is a particularly challenging time for many of us. Attitudes and approaches to the CoVID-19 pandemic are shifting. Confusion and uncertainty accompany mixed messages and sometimes contradictory recommendations.

Peninsula-Delaware Conference Re-Opening Guidelines
Includes checklists and resources for preparing to re-open your church during the ongoing pandemic

Additional Tips and Resources

Covid 19 Legal Documents for Chruch Use

Volunteer Code Of Conduct

Lease Use (PDC Addendum)

Liability Waiver

Trustee Sample