COVID-19 and the Church
Mar 6, 2020 | by Brad Sumner
We are committed to keeping you updated what we are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 here at Jericho Ridge as well as responding to any questions or concerns you may have. The following advice and update comes to us from Fraser Health and is dated March 5:
What can I do to protect myself and my friends or family?
"Follow the same procedures as what is recommended during cold and flu season. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water; covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; avoiding others who are unwell; and staying home when you are sick.”
What is Jericho doing to respond?
We have operationalized all 9 of our main floor washrooms with sinks and soaps for handwashing for this weekend. Sinks and soap are also available in each classroom for kids and will be providing hand sanitizer as we have supply.
We also encourage you to find creative ways of greeting each other (elbow bumps, hands clasped over your heart, etc) so as to minimize transmission of any illness. Communion practices may also be revised as we move into the Easter season.
While we are always diligent at cleanliness and infection control, our facility cleaning contractor and our staff have been given instructions to focus on key areas and to sanitize surfaces extensively (door handles, countertops, faucets, communion trays, etc). We feel that JRCC is a very safe and clean place to come and gather as a community.
Should I be wearing a mask to church?
"If you are sick, the use of a surgical mask can contain the droplets and reduce the risk to others by preventing droplets from going out into the air when you cough or sneeze.
If you are not sick, wearing a mask may be less effective, especially since it is not known how effective they are at keeping the novel coronavirus out.”
Here at Jericho, we encourage you to exercise prudence and discretion regarding your participation in public gatherings of any and all kinds (school, church, work) in this season. If you are sick on a Sunday, please stay home and listen to the podcast (it is posted Sunday afternoons). Don’t simply “push through” because you are scheduled to volunteer – inform your team leader and stay home so that you can get well and you do not infect others.
Essentially, follow the same procedures as what is recommended during cold and flu season. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water; covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; avoiding others who are unwell; and staying home when you are sick.
What about our team going to Guatemala this spring break?
The WHO (World Health Organization) is currently reporting no cases of COVID-19 in Guatemala or any central American countries (as of March 6). We currently feel that the risk profile for our team to travel is very low but we are always monitoring travel advisories and warnings that relevant authorities post. Our team’s safety is always our priority and we feel at present that all relevant precautions are being and have been taken.
What is being done in the region to protect residents in Langley & Surrey from novel coronavirus?
Fraser Health has organizational structures, plans and processes in place to address and monitor emerging issues like this one. Our local health authority has a strong history of working in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as community partners like churches.
The critical steps to ensure the safety of Fraser Health residents include: early identification of cases, prompt isolation, testing and monitoring. Each of these steps are currently being taken and will continue as part of the novel coronavirus response.”
As spiritual care volunteers within the health care system, our pastoral team is kept up to date on the latest warnings and advice from Fraser Health. Should additional response measures become necessary, we will keep you informed and respond accordingly.
- Pastor Brad