KEEP CALM AND WASH YOUR HANDS! Corvid-19 is an emerging challenge. - PDF document

KEEP CALM – AND WASH YOUR HANDS! Corvid-19 is an emerging challenge. It’s not like an earthquake that hits, and then you work out what to do. We’re at the be ginning of a series of changes to our usual routines that starts with inconvenience and moves towards something worse. This is a place characterized by ANXIETY. We can hear the horses’ hooves in the distance. We just can’t see them yet. LET’S NOT PANIC!!! Let’s consider what we know: COVID-19 is a novel virus & none of us has ever been exposed to it before, and so we have no specific immunity to it. . It is quite contagious. In all probability, we are all going to get it. Here’s some good news: 80% if not more of us will get it in a very manageable way. It’s c haracterized by a fever, a dry cough, shortness of breath. (not a runny nose!). In short for that 80% it could be like the flu, but also, for some the symptoms will be so light you’ll hardly notice. You will let your health professionals know, and you will stay home. You may even get tested… For the other 20% who are likely to be older, or those with existing medical conditions, these will likely need additional medical help to help with any complications (pneumonia being the typical one). We will likely all be exposed to it one way or another. A vaccine will be developed, but that is going to take one to two years. Right now and continuing going forward, what we must do is everything we can to accomplish two things: Slowdown the rate of infection so that medical resources, social networks, and supply chains can function adequately. Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone, and I mean everyone , was sick at the same time…… and Identify and track the well-being of the vulnerable in our congregations, congregations, neighborhoods, and community programs so no-one suffers unnecessarily. PRACTICES TO SLOW DOWN THE RATE OF INFECTION : Stay home if you’re sick. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Wipe shared surfaces down regularly with disinfectant. Remember key pads, phones, and door knobs particularly. Don’t touch others, and don’t get too close physically. Don’t touch your face! Cough or sneeze into an elbow, or a tissue that can be immediately disposed of before washing your hands. During church services: Follow the new rules at the Peace (no touching) At the Eucharistic distribution (only distributing wafers & lots of hand washing/use of hand sanitizers for those distributing).

At your site: Share hygiene advice with Outside Groups using your site. Be in conversation with your Cleaning Team for increased cleaning. Have multi-lingual posters around site, particularly bathrooms & kitchens . EVERY ONE OF THESE PRACTICES WILL HELP PROTECT YOU AND OTHERS. ESPECIALLY THE MORE VULNERABLE. TRACKING THE VULNERABLE IN YOUR CONGREGATION & THE NEIGHBORHOOD. When folk get sick – they disappear! Perhaps you already have this information about your congregation and your neighbors, but if you don’t, please identify those, of any age, who are particularly vulnerable in challenging times. Right now the issue is the COVID- 19 virus. But you’d also want to know this when the power cuts, for example, start happening again. Attached is a word.doc that you’re welcome to adapt and make your own. Encourage your congregation to let you know if they’re sick. MAND ATED ‘STAY AT HOME’ NOTICES It is possible that all of might find ourselves needing to stay in our homes for up to two weeks. Being prepared, and helping our neighbors, and frailer congregants to be prepared for staying at home for a two week period is really smart. There is no need for panic buying, but just stock up your pantries with some extras – and don’t forget the chocolate! Make sure you remember your pets’ needs! If you are dependent on any medication, be in touch with your doctor to see if you can get a refill or two in your house. KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH EMERGING INFORMATION AND CITY MANDATES The intent of our cities is to slow the rate of infection. Let us obey them! As the CORVID-19 situation continues developing, things are going to be changing perhaps on a day to day basis. Check daily. The SF DEM & DPH are projecting that COVID 19 is going to be an ongoing challenge for the next two to three months. DioCal is posting regularly. There is also the DioCal Facebook page. Also these websites are well-maintained, and non-reactionary: Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html CDC has multilingual posters for printing UCSF: https://www.ucsf.edu/coronavirus San Francisco Dept Public Health: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus.asp Check out city’s website page on disaster preparedness – every city has one! Check out this link for how to talk with your children about Covid-19 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk- 51734855?fbclid=IwAR0mLPlKxpP9eZxwvJnyMLrkLzd7VWunfuXHBjl9mr4RIYcxyD31avzZ_Bo

CONGREGATIONAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION ~ STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Your church family cares about you. If something were to happen to you or your family, it might be necessary for us to know how to reach your emergency contacts. Also, we would like to be your support during any challenging times, like now! With the COVID-19 virus around, we may not see you so often, and will want to check in with you to see if you need any help with household supplies, medications or other health care needs. Be assured that all of your information will be held in strictest confidence . It will only be accessed if it seems necessary. Your Name(s): _________________________________________________________ Other members of your family living with you: _____________________________________ Preferred Phone(s): (___)____________ Other Phone: (___)_______________________ Address: _____________________________ Email address: __________________________ Neighbor with key or other access to your house: ____________________________ Neighbor’s Address:______________________ Preferred Phone _________________ Emergency Contact Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: ______________________ Preferred Phone: (___)______________ Out of area emergency contact name: ________________________ Cell phone:__________________ Preferred Hospital: ________________________________________________________ Health Issues/ Necessary medications for you and any living with you that you think are important to share: This information will be kept on file for use in cases of emergency only