COVID Precaution Update

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WES Reopening Plan 

Spring 2022

(Updated April 2022)

WES VALUES

The WES Reopening Plan is grounded in our ethical values and our commitment to not leave our most vulnerable members of our community behind. We do not want to make them choose between their safety and their community. Our return to in-person operations has been gradual and informed by scientific data as well as our values. It is our goal to at a minimum meet, and regularly exceed, CDC and local guidelines as we look out for one another and for those who may be more vulnerable than ourselves.

We plan to maintain the accessibility of online activities. Some members Zoom in to Platform and to their Deepening Circles and other activities from very far away or prefer to log in from home due to mobility concerns. We value these members and want to make sure WES continues to be a home for them. 

OVERVIEW

As of April 7, 2022, we are aligning our reopening plan with the UUA’s mitigation guidance.

In all in-person events, WES should:

  • Continue to offer meaningful online engagement opportunities 
  • Promote vaccination 
  • Require masks for attendance
  • Utilize rapid testing for Platform speakers and singers
  • Maximize ventilation 
  • Allow for spacing between people
  • Carefully consider food and drinks

WES also continues to monitor the COVID Act Now website information for the Washington, D.C. metro area to guide our plans (more on COVID Act Now below).

INDOOR GATHERINGS

1. We will offer indoor gatherings with a vaccine/recent negative test required and well-fitted masks required except when eating and drinking. Events should be designed with care to encourage physical distancing as much as is practical.

Food and beverages are permitted at indoor events, but care should be taken to reduce crowding around serving areas and to provide spaces for social distancing during eating and drinking. Serving strategies should take special care for food safety, such as requiring covers over food, using hand sanitizer or hand washing before and after serving, using tongs and/or gloves, and placing food containers on clean surfaces. Food that is prepared with pre-set portions is preferable to communal dishes. Contributors of shared dishes must assist with clean up and taking away of leftovers. Although not required, WES recommends “bring your own” style events, rather than sharing communal food.

  • EXAMPLE: SUNDAY PLATFORM

We are currently offering a hybrid platform experience on Sunday mornings. Our reservation system allows for  equity in attendance and social distancing in the WES building. 

  • EXAMPLE: SMALL CLOSED GROUP (I.E. DEEPENING CIRCLE GROUP)

A small, closed group is a group of 15 or fewer participants with consistent, stable membership. Closed groups are not advertised as being open for drop-in. While new participants may be added to closed groups from time to time, this would be by prior arrangement and would not be spontaneous. Closed groups are a special case because the participants will be familiar with each other and the necessary mechanics of contact tracing, because the participants will have built trust to care for one another and therefore will report symptoms and stay home in the case of any sign of illness, and because these groups are small and any exposure would be limited to a few people. Even with these caveats, closed groups should exercise caution and consideration, and should not meet in person if any of their members are uncomfortable with the COVID risks.

  • EXAMPLE: SMALL OPEN GROUP (I.E. BIOLOGY READING GROUP)

Small open groups are advertised to allow for new participants to drop in. Group leaders should take steps to collect contact information from all participants to allow for contact tracing as needed.  

2. OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
We will continue to encourage wearing well-fitted masks at outdoor events, particularly ones where unvaccinated children or other vulnerable people are included. 

Food and beverages are permitted at outdoor events, but care should be taken to reduce crowding around serving areas and to provide spaces for social distancing during eating and drinking. Serving strategies should take special care for food safety, such as requiring covers over food, using hand sanitizer or hand washing before and after serving, using tongs and/or gloves, and placing food containers on clean surfaces. Food that is prepared with pre-set portions is preferable to communal dishes. Contributors of shared dishes must assist with clean up and taking away of leftovers. Although not required, WES recommends “bring your own” style events, rather than sharing communal food.

3. GROUP SIZE DEFINITIONS
Small Gathering: 15 or fewer people
Medium Gathering: 16 – 50 people
Large Gathering: more than 50 people 

4. SEEK AND CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

As most children under age 5 cannot yet be vaccinated, we may hold SEEK activities and multi-age programs outdoors. If children need to be inside the WES building, we will ensure they are meeting in areas with good ventilation with air purification, masking, physically distancing, and reduced room occupancy.

5. REGISTRATION AND CONTACT TRACING REQUIREMENTS

Attendees will be asked to pre-register for indoor events (including platform), outdoor activities, and SEEK classes. The registration form will ask about individuals’ vaccination status. Once attendees arrive, they will be asked to sign in for contact tracing purposes.

About COVID Act Now:

Committed to the use of scientific data in addition to our values, WES will continue to use the information, key metrics and risk levels defined on the COVID Act Now website. An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by volunteers in March 2020, COVID Act Now works with the Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Security, Stanford University Clinical Excellence Research Center, and Harvard Global Health Institute. 

*The Washington metro area includes 25 counties in DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, including District of Columbia (DC), Alexandria Co. (VA), Arlington Co. (VA), Calvert Co. (MD), Charles Co. (MD), Clarke Co (VA), Culpeper Co. (VA), Fairfax Co. (VA), Fairfax City (VA), Falls Church City (VA), Fauquier Co. (VA), Frederick Co. (MD),  Fredericksburg City (VA), Jefferson Co. (WV), Loudoun Co. (VA), Madison Co. (VA), Manassas Co. (VA), Manassas Park City (VA), Montgomery Co. (MD), Prince George’s Co. (MD), Prince William Co. (VA), Rappahannock Co. (VA), Spotsylvania Co. (VA), Stafford Co. (VA), Warren Co. (VA).