We are in the midst of updating our Returning to Church, COVID safety recommendations for churches but wanted to offer a brief update and guidance while we work on a more formal document.
Vaccinations completed in WI: 48.5% Source: WI DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Data
Daily New Cases/100K population = 2.8 (7 day average) Source: globalepidemics.org
Daily Positive COVID tests = 1.8% (7-day average) Source: WI DHS Summary Data
The primary figure to watch at this point is daily new cases/100 thousand. Across the state, this has doubled in the past two weeks as the delta variant of COVID-19 has become the predominant strain in Wisconsin. The number of people testing positive for COVID is also on the rise.
Our medical advisers anticipate that the delta variant will be responsible for almost all of Wisconsin’s cases over the next couple of weeks. This variant of COVID is more transmissible than what we’ve seen so far. That can add up to big trouble quickly if we relax precautions. There is still a large reservoir of people in Wisconsin who are not vaccinated, are only partially vaccinated, or for whom vaccines offer less protection. In the current phase of the pandemic, these neighbors are still experiencing significant risk and illness.
In addition to increasing vaccination rates, wearing masks, physical distancing, and soap-and-water cleaning are among the best tools we have to keep communities healthy. We want to limit sharing air with someone who is or may be infected. It’s time to make sure you’re still following your COVID safety plan and not letting the details slide.
Choose 2 out of 3: If you are gathering in person, we advise at least a 2 out of 3 standard: meet outdoors, continue to distance, wear masks. If you can apply 2 out of these 3 mitigations you will be doing much to mitigate risk. We take a cautious stance on congregational singing indoors; see the Center for Congregational Song for more information. There is nothing magical about being outdoors for your church gatherings: remember to distance from those with whom you don’t share living arrangements.
On Masking: Many public health guidelines are written with individuals in mind. Our recommendations address the needs of mixed-vaccination status Christian communities. Nearly half of Wisconsinites are fully vaccinated, but we invite you to be mindful of those who are not yet vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated. Confused about when you need to mask if you’re vaccinated? Indoors when you can’t distance, around immunocompromised and unvaccinated people, and in areas with high COVID transmission rates are most essential. Our medical advisers tell us they mask indoors anytime they are uncertain of the vaccination status of those around them.
