Regathering Committee Update on Masking at St. Paul's
The following statement from the St. Paul's Regathering Committee will take effect on Sunday, September 11:
On August 29th, the Diocese released a new statement about gathering practices and the continuing challenge of COVID-19. They wrote:
“While the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths continues to be high in certain parts of the nation, Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccine acceptance. This has meant that, while COVID-19 infections remain a concern, community risk levels in the Commonwealth have remained low for several months."
“Nevertheless, we continue to urge caution in church gatherings, especially for those who are at greater risk of severe disease from COVID-19 infection. We continue to support any clergy, vestries and regathering teams who conclude that, in their local context, more restrictive measures on gatherings need to be maintained."
In line with the guidance from the Diocese, the CDC, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the regathering committee encourages individuals to wear a mask when indoors at St. Paul’s if they have a weakened immune system, or if they are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household has a weakened immune system, or is at increased risk for severe disease. We also suggest that if you have been a Covid-19 close contact, have any cold symptoms, or have been traveling during the week leading up to a Sunday morning, you would consider masking for the sake of others. We encourage each parishioner and visitor to St. Paul’s to do what feels right to them, for their own health and for the health of others around them. We recognize many people are comfortable without a mask, and others prefer or need to continue to wear a mask, and we support and welcome people to make their own choices on wearing a mask right now.Tags: Worship / Events / Children & Youth Formation
