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Understanding COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. COVID-19, the source of the current coronavirus pandemic, only recently made the jump from animals to humans. As a result, few people have developed resistance or immunity. This is what makes the virus so easy to catch. For most, the symptoms are mild and similar to the flu–fever, cough, shortness of breath. Those over 60 and those with compromised immune or respiratory symptoms are particularly at risk of life-threatening conditions. This is why we are taking such extraordinary measures to slow the spread of this disease.

• COVID-19 Symptoms & Facts from Google

• COVID-19 Act Now - Partnership tracking the pandemic in America

• Episcopal Relief & Development – Faith-Based Response to Epidemics

• Diocese of New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Information on Coronavirus

• State of New Jersey Department of Health on Coronavirus

• TEDTalks – How Does Coronavirus Spread
  

Guidelines for Reopening

Holy Trinity, in conjunction with the Diocese of New Jersey and the Reentering, Reopening & Re-imagining (RRR) Task Force, has developed and consulted several sources to produce guidelines for reopening. Working with the State of New Jersey, the CDC, the national church and Church Insurance, as well as in consulting its own public health, infection disease, and epidemiological experts, the guidelines below were developed to assist churches in reopening with the best possible information, advice, suggestions, safety, and risk-mitigation procedures. Please read them, knowing we are doing out best to keep everyone as safe as possible.

• RRR Task Force Recommendations, Updated May 13, 2021

• Guidelines for Reopening for Tenants & Outside Groups - Produced by the RRR

• COVID-19 Safety Fact Sheet - Church Insurance Company

• Guidelines for Reopening for Holy Trinity (Wenonah) for Outside Worship
  

Keeping our Families & Communities Safe:
Contact Tracing

An important function of all organizations during a pandemic is the ability to contact people in the event of exposure to the virus. This requires an added step to worship: collecting contact information, saving and storing that information, and using that information to keep people safe. The modern church has always recorded attendance—to varying degrees of specificity—but the requirements for recording attendance are steeper in the midst of a pandemic. A significant part of the reopening plan was developing a plan for contact tracing. That plan looks like:

• Notifying the Rector immediately if potential exposure has occurred

  • The rector will contact the bishop immediately, as required by the guidelines

  • The rector will then work with the Contact Tracing Team to inform people of their potential exposure to the virus

  • People exposed to the virus should not attend services until cleared medically by a health professional

  • Should Fr. Ben be exposed, or need to quarantine for 14-days, a group of officiants will continue offering in-person services of Morning Prayer

• Inform attendees of potential exposure, offer resources, encouragement & prayer

  • Anonymity will be maintained when informing attendees of exposure. The source of exposure will NEVER be revealed.

  • Folks exposed are encouraged to self-quarantine and seek medical help/opinion

  • Attendees exposed should not return to worship until cleared by a medical professional.

If you or someone you live with has been exposed to COVID-19 and recently attended a service, please contact Fr. Ben as soon as possible, preferably by phone, but also by email.