New Life Presbyterian Church issued the following announcement on Mar. 4
In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in cases of Coronavirus within the United States. This virus is highly contagious and challenging for people with compromised immune symptoms. The worldwide spread of seasonal influenza-related respiratory illnesses is not new. According to a recent worldwide study led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 deaths are associated with influenza globally each year (Paget et al., 2019). However, what makes the COVID-19 infection more concerning is its 2% case fatality rate across the globe—the highest influenza case-fatality rate since the 2002 SARS-associated coronavirus pandemic (Potter, 2001; WHO, 2020).
To date, most of the cases reported are mild, and many have recovered from the illness. Health organizations have declared that children and youth tend to handle the virus better than the elderly. Since New Life has a large elderly population, we desire to be proactive as it relates to this virus. Therefore, we will be taking the following precautions to ensure that our church is a safe and healthy environment for all.
This plan is divided into three phases. Phase one is an immediate response that is currently underway. Phase two will be activated if a member becomes infected. The purpose of phase two is to separate the population and allow our elderly members and those with compromised immune systems to be in a more controlled environment because reports are showing that they are more susceptible to being infected. Lastly, we will initiate phase three if the state or federal government limits public gatherings and begins school closures.
Members who feel the need to remain home currently are invited to join us online. Your health and wellness are of vital importance to us. We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to make sure that we are proactive in our response to this public health crisis. This action plan is not intended to alarm you. We are people of faith, and we trust God, but we also know that God has given us the intelligence to be prepared; therefore, we will pray and plan. Listed below is our plan of action.
Phase One Response (Immediate Response)
1. All door handles, shared surfaces, light switches, and doorknobs within the church will be sanitized daily.
2. Hand sanitizer stations and dispensers will be placed at each entryway and supplied in our restrooms. This is not intended to replace hand washing. Please continue to wash hands with soap for 15 to 20 seconds.
3. Members are encouraged to refrain from shaking hands.
4. Members who are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms will be asked to stay home and view our services online.
5. The church balcony will be reserved for people with compromised immune systems only
6. Suspension of “Ritual of Friendship” until further notice.
7. An informative email will go to the congregation with details on precautions and the church's response plan.
Phase Two Response (When any member of the congregation has been infected outside of New Life)
1. Repeat all the above steps.
2. An 8 a.m. service for members 60 and over and those with compromised immune systems will be established to provide a more controlled environment. Anyone attending this service under that age will be encouraged to sit in the balcony.
3. 10:30 a.m. service for members under 60.
Phase Three Response (If the public health department limits public gatherings)
1. Services will be postponed until the Public Health Department deems it safe to resume.
2. Members will be asked to access our Livestream services
3. Pastor Williams will deliver a Sunday morning devotional via Livestream, which can be accessed through our website and YouTube Channel. (www.newlifepresatl.com)
4. Members will also be asked to support the church financially through the following ways
a. Text to give 470-202-0808
b. Website (www.newlifepresatl.com/donate)
c. New Life Presbyterian Church App (downloadable through the Google Play Store and Apple Store)
Original source can be found here.
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