Regarding the Current Covid Uptick at JWC and in our City.
"People ought to have religion enough to attend church regularly
and sense enough to stay home in bad weather."
-P. Bomar, pastor 1896
We are in the midst of another wave of the virus storm and still reeling from the impact of our loss on our congregation. We are also trying to navigate the possible dangers that face the vulnerable among us.
In light of that I’m going to pause our face to face small groups until the covid clouds clear up more.
I think this small preventive action is a reasonable response to significantly high numbers coming in of people getting Covid locally and the presence of it spreading in our congregation. I’m doing this instead of shutting everything down. The virus is here and we can’t avoid it, but we can try to gather wisely.
So if you have symptoms of a cold or flu or unusual tiredness please stay home and watch the Sunday service online.
Remember being without symptoms isn’t a verification that you don’t have covid. That’s why anyone who has recently had Covid in their immediate family should be tested. Isolate if confirmed. If you’ve been in close proximity for a prolonged amount of time with someone who has tested positive with covid you should get tested. Isolate if confirmed.
And remember the vaccines do not prevent the spread or the ability to get infected. The vaccines provide enhanced protection from serious health consequences or death.
On Sunday please practice reasonable distance and interactions as possible. Remember to avoid getting into one another’s faces, bear-hugging and acting in a manner that easily spreads this very contagious variant. Practice good and regular hygiene practices. These actions will help us protect one another as best we can during this present sickness surge. We don’t want to get sick and have our ability to provide Sunday service jeopardized.
We continue to encourage thoughtful consideration about getting vaccinated after consulting the dangers, one’s conscience and physician in light of your age, health and possible current risk factors.
Please continue to pray.
“Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.”
-Book of Common Prayer
- I was very excited about the idea of coming to church this Sunday and even attending the the group at Andy and Cami's house, but with everything going on, I am staying home. I'm fortunate to be able to accomplish most everything I need done on my own, including sweeping and mopping, but doing it on the scooter is taxing on my body. I can't imagine getting covid also. Things are going well now I don't want to throw that into the blend.
- Totally understand Dale, I think it’s wise.
- New COVID data from Spokane Regional Health. Here are some takeaways: 1,239 new COVID cases today. That's a record for us. 115 people are hospitalized, per SRHD's website. However, Dr. Frank Velasquez said today 120 ppl are hospitalized. Dr. Velasquez said 12% of hospital admissions are patients with COVID. Up from 7.5% of admission from last week. Our overall hospital occupancy is a 97%. ICU occupancy is 100%. Dr. Velasquez says occupancy is high because of a lot of higher acuity patients with other conditions, not just COVID.