As you may recall, the Coronavirus Advisory Team was formed last March at the start of pandemic with the goal of preparing recommendations for the next phase of UCG’s response to the pandemic. Many phases later, we admit we’ve been needed longer than any of us predicted when we first closed the UCG campus back on March 12, 2020.
The Team consists of Dar Mikula (coordinator), Ann Gill, Alan Keitt, Sally Kimberly, Allan and Janet March, Danielle and Eric Nelson, our church administrator Lisa Goldstein, the three ministers and our moderator Rebecca Beachy. Ramon Littell also assists with the data and research for the weekly Covid-19 status report.
In the coming weeks and months, the team will continue its emphasis on education and our data-based decision making. We’ve created Pandemic Response Guidelines which detail the protocols for every space at UCG and every status level as the Covid risk changes. You can find these on the UCG website if you’re interested in those details. We’ve also recruited and trained several event monitors who are ready to help us stay safe and follow the guidelines whenever we begin to increase our in-person gatherings. We’ve purchased masks and sanitizer, and have developed clear signage for the larger live gatherings – when they eventually happen.
The Team also receives monthly reports from the ministers on any in-person gatherings that are held. For example, these may include music recording sessions, drivethrough events, and young adult activities. This assures that the safety measures we’ve outlined are practiced and followed or adjusted accordingly.
Ultimately the Team spent several weeks in November and December on the dedicated preparation and thoughtful discussion around gathering on Christmas Eve. The team then also provided the crucial support for the ministers in the heartbreaking yet prudent decision to cancel Christmas Eve when several obstacles occurred in succession that made it clear the event would be more of a stressor than a service, and possibly unsafe.
On January 10, our Team members Danielle and Eric Nelson offered a timely Sunday Seminar on the vaccine, testing, and how to plan for the future. This was a welcome follow-up to their initial Covid-19 seminar given back on March 8 of last year.
Looking ahead: Ash Wednesday on February 17, the season of Lent, and Easter on April 4. The Team meets again on February 2 to discuss possibilities for gathering depending of course on case levels in the county over the next couple weeks and months.
If you have any questions for the Coronavirus Advisory Team or wish to become an Event Monitor volunteer, please contact Dar Mikula.
Is it safe to be inside with a family, where all members have had Covid, to sit and watch a movie for 2 hours, with face mask on? I’ve only had first vaccination. Thank you
Hi Peggy,
I have read that immunity doesn’t peak until the end of the second week after your second vaccination.
Below is what I found on the CDC website. The information is in response to “event planning” and is consistent with the ongoing guidelines (masks, distance, outside gathering if possible, and limit time/exposure). I acknowledge your question is specific in its details; the best answer I could find is more general!
Here is a link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/event-planners-and-attendees-faq.html:
“CDC does not have a limit or recommend a specific number of attendees for these types of events and instead encourages event organizers to focus on ways to limit people’s contact with each other. Each event organizer will need to determine the appropriate number for their setting in collaboration with local health officials. They should also check state, county, and city rules regarding any current restrictions limiting the number of attendees at events.
In general, the number that is chosen should allow individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other. Rather than focusing on an ideal number, event organizers and administrators should focus on the ability to reduce and limit contact between attendees, staff, and others. In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces because indoors, it can be harder to keep people at least 6 feet apart and the ventilation is not as good as it is outdoors.”
What has been the experience of those churches that opened this past summer? ie. United Methodist downtown and others
Hi Bill,
I have been wondering this myself. As far as I have found, there has been no scientific study on coronavirus spreader results of local church gatherings – and without a scientific study the experience of one church is insufficient evidence on which to make recommendations.
The Coronavirus Advisory Team continues to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Until the level in Alachua County drops to a safer level (still in Red as of this writing), we remain in a “wait and see” yet hopeful mode.
In case you’re interested, here is a link to the CDC recommendations for faith-based communities:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html