COVID Update
from your Reopening Committee
The Reopening Committee (a.k.a. medical and engineering geeks) continues to meet regularly to monitor COVID and make safety recommendations for UUCA. Luckily, the number of cases in our area is trending down, but we still do have COVID hospitalizations, and the current variant (XBB.1.5) is impressively contagious. People with weaker immune systems are still at particular risk.
Here are the current protections at UUCA:
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The UV lights provide great coverage of the circulating air in the sanctuary (although they can’t prevent the spread from someone right next to you). The UV system helps against flu and other viruses, too!
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HEPA filters are available for use in our classrooms and meeting rooms (find them and return them to the office).
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On Sundays, our sanctuary is divided into Mask Optional and Mask Mandatory sections. Choose to sit in the Mask Mandatory section if you want both to wear a mask and know that your neighbors will, too.
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You can also choose to attend worship via Zoom. For the protection of others, please choose Zoom if you have any signs of a cold/virus. (Remember that home COVID tests can be falsely negative for the first few days of symptoms.)
Maybe you’ve noticed that we are singing more in church lately. This is wonderful, but singing can potentially spread viruses, so please consider this as you choose what precautions are best for you.
Also, remember that our narthex is NOT well protected when crowded. It’s safer to be unmasked for coffee and conversation either in the sanctuary or on the deck.
As always, well-fitting masks and social distancing are still good ways to protect yourself against COVID.
Finally, we encourage everyone who hasn’t yet gotten theirs to get the new “bivalent” COVID booster.