Coronavirus Pandemic
Due to the increasing concern about the novel Coronavirus pandemic which causes COVID-19, large meetings at colleges, universities, sporting venues, and houses of worship are being suspended. It may be in the best interest of your particular congregation to do the same. However, if you determine to continue with worship during this time, it is highly recommended that you practice social distancing until further notice. To that end, the following actions are encouraged while attending worship:
1. Stay home if you are sick.
2. Suspend handshaking, handholding, hugging, and kissing in favor of the fist bump or the elbow bump.
3. Limit seating on benches or chairs to maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between individual worshipers. The optimal distance from a person suspected of having COVID-19 infection is six feet, but this would be impractical in most worship settings. Thus, persons suspected of having COVID-19 infection should be strongly encouraged not to attend worship.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and then throw those tissues away. At a minimum, cover coughs with the sleeve of the elbow and not the hands.
5. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
6. Consider using pre-packaged communion packets for communion.
Most importantly, remain prayerful and confident in the power of our God to protect us in this crisis!
Haiti Relief Efforts
Pastor Alvin Noel , Chairman
The following are some helpful hints if you think you may be at risk for COVID-19.
1. Remember that the majority of COVID-19 infections will be mild. Children appear to be protected from severeinfection but may transfer the infection to other persons. Older persons with chronic medical conditions that affectthe immune system are at highest risk for severe infection.
2. Contact your doctor if you develop a severe cough, fever, or shortness of breath. If you have concern that you have been exposed to COVID-19 and you become sick, wear a mask in any public space. Because test kits for COVID-19 are limited, expect that you may not get tested for COVID-19 unless you have clear risk factors for the infection.
3. Remember that most cases of COVID will be mild, though a minority of cases (likely less than 20 per cent,) will be severe. Because there is no known curative treatment for COVID-19, expect that you may be instructed to self-isolate at home if you have mild symptoms.