Crawford COVID Protocols – Winter 2021-22

As we experience another maddening Covid surge with the Omicron variant, we’re taking some extra precautions at church, at least until we better understand this particular variant. What we do know is that Omicron spreads 70x more easily. That’s a lot. Most of us at Crawford are fully vaccinated and are getting boosted as we’re able. Keep it up.

But since Omicron seems to care less about vaccination status than Delta did, I’d like us to be better protected until we have more data. Here’s what that means:

1. Breakthrough Covid cases of all types have different symptoms than Covid with the unvaccinated. Breakthrough cases typically have symptoms much more like a cold. If you are having symptoms of anything that are abnormal for you—headache, runny nose, fatigue, cough, etc.—please join us on the livestream instead of attending worship in person. And get tested.
2. If you come to worship in person, please try to keep a safe distance (6ft) between you and non-household members, and wear a mask. We always have some on hand if you forget yours. And remember, if your mask doesn’t cover your nose, it’s not doing its job!
3. If and when Covid strikes staff members essential to in-person services, we may take worship online via Zoom. Please check our website for updates, or subscribe to our mailing list for instructions on where and how to find us on Sunday morning.

I’m keeping an eye on this thing and am consulting with the doctors in our congregation about what we should and shouldn’t be doing. It’s awful and I’m as fed up with the whole thing as anybody. We’re in this together and we’ll help each other get through it, whatever that takes and whenever “through” is. We are resilient and can adapt. We’ve proven that over the past year-plus. Love to you all.

These continue to be difficult and confusing times for many of us.  If you need help with anything or are just having a down day, please contact the Pastor or one of your Crawford family friends. We are all here to provide support for every person among Crawford’s large and diverse group of members and friends.

We also encourage you to remember those in our community who are facing real challenges with daily life by donating food to our “front porch pantry” – that is being emptied and refilled on a daily basis, and sometimes more than once a day.  Please watch the weekly Messenger for notices about other ways you can contribute.

— Pastor Anne