COVID-19
Updates
New Covid Policy — Effective October 2, 2022
February 11, 2022: COVID Precautions Update
October 28, 2021: Reopening Town Hall Reminder Email
October 25, 2021: Fall 2021 Reopening Guidance
June 8, 2021: COVID Numbers Are Dropping — What does that mean for WES?
May 18, 2021: Updated Guidelines for Small Groups
May 2, 2021: Reopening Townhall Slides
Face Masks
Acceptable Types of Face Coverings
•Cloth face coverings (such as homemade cloth masks, store-bought fabric masks, bandanas, etc.).
•Face masks (also called medical, surgical, or procedure masks) These should generally be reserved for healthcare workers and other professionals whose jobs require their use. Sometimes, they may be used by members of the public who receive instruction from their healthcare provider.
•Respirators (sometimes called N95 respirators). These are specialized medical supplies and should not be purchased or used by members of the general public. They should be reserved for healthcare workers and other professionals whose job tasks require their use.
•Face masks and respirators with valves are not recommended to be used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a Cloth Face Covering or Mask is Not Required When:
• A person is actively eating or drinking;
• A person is in the water at a swimming pool;
• A person is in an enclosed office that no one else is permitted to enter;
• A person is giving a speech for broadcast or an audience, provided no one is within six feet of the speaker;
• A person is speaking to or translating for a deaf or hard of hearing person;
• The equipment required for a job precludes the wearing of a mask and the person is wearing that equipment, or when wearing a mask would endanger public safety.
How to Correctly Wear Your Cloth Face Covering or Mask
• Before putting on a cloth face covering or face mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
• Adjust your cloth face covering and face masks so that it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly against the sides of your face.
• Do not put your cloth face covering or face mask around your neck or up on your forehead.
• Avoid touching the cloth face covering or face mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
• Remove your cloth face covering or face mask and replace with another if it becomes visibly dirty, wet, or difficult to breathe through.
• To remove the cloth face covering or face mask:
• Handle it by the string ties or ear loops only. Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops and remove. Avoid touching the front of the face covering.
• Fold outside corners together (so the outside part is folded into itself).
• Clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water immediately after removing the cloth face covering or facemask.
WES in Community
Everyday Prevention Measures
• Across all phases of reopening, clergy, staff, volunteers, and congregants should be educated and encouraged to practice the following:
o Stay at home if you feel unwell or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19
o Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people when possible. This might be accomplished with chair placement, chalk markings on pavement, tape on the floor, or another indication that helps attendees visualize what six feet actually looks like.
o You must wear a cloth face covering over mouth and nose at all times.
o Masks are not recommended for children under two. Those over the age of two who are unable to wear a cloth face covering are encouraged to access virtual meetings and services.
o Avoid shaking hands and other physical contact with people outside of your household.
o Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of the elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed.
o Gloves should be worn only as indicated per routine facility responsibilities.
• Perform frequent hand hygiene (with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub).
o Key times to perform hand hygiene include:
▪ Before and after using the toilet,
▪ Before and after putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings,
▪ Before and after handling any shared objects (i.e. books).