Checking in with Covid-19
Fall is in the air! The sun is setting earlier, the early morning is overcast and cool; it’s almost time to break out the sweaters (or maybe just the long sleeves). There are holidays to look forward to and decorations to put up, and pumpkin spice seems to be breaking out all over the place. Fall is a great time of year!
Fall is also the beginning of flu season. People gathered in enclosed spaces makes for a virus haven as opportunities abound for transmission from one to another. Almost everyone knows this but few worry too much. Lots of people lower their risk by getting the flu vaccine. Either way, flu season doesn’t typically affect fall activities for most people—at least in my lifetime it hasn’t. This year is different. In addition to influenza we still have to contend with the covid virus. While last year we were still collectively observing the pandemic protocols, those have mostly gone away, for better or for worse. This fall we are (once again) entering cautiously into uncharted territory. Will there be a spike or not? Will there be a troubling new variant or not?
Knowing myself, I have decided that I need to have my own protocol to guide me as the weather changes. I have decided that I will wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces (not all indoor spaces, but whenever there are a lot of people around—with the exception of speaking in front of crowds). I will keep up with flu and covid vaccines, wash my hands regularly, eat healthy (which for me means limiting sugar), exercise, and test for covid regularly.
What is your covid prevention protocol? Have you thought through what you will do and what you won’t do? If you are particularly vulnerable, do you have alternatives to gathering in large groups (staying social is also really important). Whatever your decisions may be, I wish you well. As always, St. Andrew’s strongly recommends wearing masks at our worship services and in our social gatherings. Of course, eating and drinking make that nearly impossible, so we also rely on open windows and doors to keep the air flowing freely. With that in mind you may want to remember to always bring a sweater to worship or even a blanket for our evening services or events.
Fall is a wonderful time of year. A little planning can help keep it that way.
Blessings,
Pastor Jen