Mask Update

FROM THE RECTOR

Over the last few weeks, we have received several pieces of good news regarding the pandemic. Active infections are down, and so are hospital admissions. Vaccinations among adults are up, though not as much as we would hope, and (finally!) children ages five to twelve are now eligible for the vaccine. My younger three children were among those who received their first dose within days of that development, and our household eagerly awaits full immunity two weeks after the second dose. I share the relief of other parents with school-age children who now worry a little bit less. 

For now, though, children under five are not eligible for the vaccine. Fortunately, significant health consequences among otherwise healthy young children seem to be minimal, but we need to acknowledge that there are still members of our parish—families with young children as well as other individuals with underlying vulnerabilities—who remain reluctant to attend church.

Nevertheless, with Covid numbers continuing to decline, the estimated high rate of vaccination within our congregation, and zero transmissions traced to our church, we are ready to relax our mask requirements during certain times of the week. Starting immediately, fully vaccinated people may choose not to wear a mask at St. Paul’s except when children under twelve or other vulnerable populations are likely to be present. That means that, for now, masks will still be required for everyone on Sunday mornings, on Wednesday afternoons and evenings, and during Community Meals. During those times, however, small groups that include only individuals twelve and over that are meeting in an isolated space (e.g. the library, youth building, or conference room) will be allowed to unmask, but those walking through the building or using the restroom will need to be masked. By the new year, at which time children five and older will have had enough time to be fully vaccinated, we anticipate expanding those mask-optional times to include Sunday mornings and other times.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated yet will need to continue to wear a mask at all times, and anyone may continue to wear a mask if they choose. We have learned that wearing masks is a good way to care for ourselves and for others. Flu season is here, and masks have been shown to limit the spread of that virus as well. As before, if you have any Covid-like symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, we urge you to stay home and worship with us online, trusting that CDC guidelines outline our best practices. If you need help scheduling a vaccine appointment or getting transportation for an appointment, please call the church, and we will help with that.

I am sure that all of us are tired of masks. I am tired of my glasses fogging up and my mask getting sucked back into my mouth when I am trying to sing in church. I am tired of not recognizing people I know and love because I cannot see anything but their eyes. But I am even more tired of not seeing young children in church. I am fed up with empty pews and missing people. And I cannot find the words or emotions that befit the widespread loss of life due to the pandemic. For now, though, I celebrate a little bit of good news. I will be glad to leave my mask off during most of the week, and soon we will be able to leave them off when we come together on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.

Yours Faithfully,

Evan