The rapid rise of positive COVID cases and the speed of the Omicron Variant brings a renewed anxiety about COVID 19.

This week alone I have had three phone calls from pastors telling me that either they have had member inform them that they have tested positive and was in worship the previous Sunday or pastor anticipating that it is only a matter of time before someone does.

What do you do?

Early next month the team that reviews the Presbytery’s recommendations will review the present presbytery recommendations and adjust as appropriate.  Until then you can find our present recommendations on the presbytery website.

Some suggestions for next steps based on present recommendations and other information for the CDC and NJ Department of Health ( and some common sense).

Protocols

• Have well publicized Covid Protocols for gathering for church events and for face-to-face church meetings. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to see them prior to any church event. Post it on your website, Facebook, newsletter and send them out in an email to remind people.
• Review your protocols to include what will be the response should there be a positive Covid infection during a time of an in person gatherings.
  • Send a communication to all who may have attended the gathering. In the case of a worship service, the letter should go to the entire congregation.
  • Encourage all who attended to get tested as soon as possible whether they have been vaccinated and/or masked at the time of gathering. Vaccinated people can contract the virus and may spread it to others unknowingly.
  • Anyone who comes back with a positive test should contact the church office and should isolate according to their doctor’s recommendations.
  • Plan for online worship or gatherings should there appear to be a cluster of cases from this incident.

Communications

What should you include in your communications?

• First find out from the person informing you of their positive test if you can use their name (s). This might be helpful for people to know how close and maybe exposed they were.
• If it was a small group send out an email to everyone who participated with specific information followed by an email to larger congregation informing them that someone at a small group tested positive.
• If it was a large group, like the worship service, send an email to the whole congregation with as much detail information as possible.
• Encourage all participants of whatever event to get tested and to quarantine until they are tested.
• Keep the communication focused on care for the people and not on blaming anyone or any one group.
• Provide as much resource information as possible including when and how to get tested, information on vaccines and the importance of wearing masks. I have included links and helpful information.

 

All protocols should include that anyone gathered for in person and inside events and worship should be wearing  masks and social distancing.  

The Omicron variant is presenting to be a HIGHLY infectious virus. Loving Your Neighbor includes being a responsible neighbor and to wear a mask to protect others and to help slow the spread and mutation of the virus.

Here are important links

December 16, 2021, webinar with Dr. Margaret Fisher, NJ Department of Health speaking about Vaccines, Mask Wearing and the Omicron variant

New Jersey Department of Health FAQs

Vaccine Appointment Finder – VERY IMPORTANT

How to Get Tested for COVID 19 in New Jersey

Free At Home Testing from Stated of NJ

NJ Department of Health Data Dashboard

The Department of Health Educational Videos

CDC key things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID ACT NOW

ADVICE:

Please don’t email me and tell me why we shouldn’t have to wear mask or social distance because I will email you back with long list of data, where to get vaccinated, Bible verses, theology  and stories telling you why you should. I will also connect you with people who have lost loved ones to COVID   and young pastors who are now out on disability because of Long Haul COVID symptoms.