Dear Ones,
UUCB is a warm, loving community. We often greet one another with handshakes and hugs. But concerns about the corona virus and the resulting COVID-19 illness require us, like religious institutions all over the world, to modify our habits for the time being. Even though it may be hard to think of changing, please be aware that some of our members are experiencing health challenges or they live with frail family members. Moreover, COVID-19 appears to be most devastating to elders, and we have many in that age demographic in our congregation. Even people in good health are not immune to COVID-19, and people can be carriers without (or before) showing symptoms. Religious communities are just as vulnerable as any other group of people – perhaps more so, given how close we often feel toward one another. Thus we are advised to take precautions to protect the congregation.
Board Chair Glenn Williams and I have researched what precautions to take. As one might suspect, minimizing physical contact with others is critical. For the time being, we ask people please to refrain from hugging one another and shaking or holding hands at church. Instead, greet each other with elbow bumps, a simple mutual bow, or an exchange of the peace sign.
In addition to refraining from hugging one another and touching hands, please follow these Center for Disease Control guidelines for human contact so that we can keep one another as safe as possible:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- If you are well, do NOT wear a face mask to protect yourself from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- DO wear a face mask if you show symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are caring for someone else with those symptoms.
We will do our best to keep hand sanitizer available in the building. (Stores are currently having trouble keeping hand sanitizer in stock.) In addition, we will have boxes of tissues available. This is a developing situation, and we will do our best to keep everyone apprised of best practices. Change can be hard, but let’s all do our best to take care of one another in these difficult times.
Thank you,
Sylvia Stocker
FMI: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-community-faith-organizations.html