Outbreaks in Churches in Doddridge County
Religion and worship are very essential parts of our lives. At this time we are dealing with an unpredictable and dangerous pandemic caused by the coronavirus (COVID 19).
In order to reduce illness and risk for further deaths in our county, it is very important that we fight this monster virus with all the knowledge and tools that we have.
We presently have outbreaks in two of our churches in the county and if we aren’t cautious we will likely have more.
On July 7, 2020 Governor Jim Justice put forth an Executive Order stating that all individuals over the age of 9 are required to wear face coverings when in confined, indoor spaces, other than one’s residence or while actively engaged in the consumption of food and/or beverage, and when not able to adequately social distance from other individuals who do not reside in the same household.
According to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control people exempt from this requirement are:
*Children younger than 2 years old
*Anyone who has trouble breathing through a face covering, and
*Persons who are unable to remove the face covering without assistance
At that time religious entities started being asked, whenever possible, to reduce the number of individual attending in-person services by holding services online or in parking lots. Since then many religious entities have served their communities well and worked to keep the citizens of West Virginia safe.
If services cannot be conducted remotely, they should be conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local guidance from health officials including the following:
• Instruct sick members, volunteers, and guests to stay home
Instruct to stay home if they have been around someone who has been sick
Encourage attendees who are 65 or older or people with underlying health conditions not to attend in person but watch remotely
• Temperatures should be taken with touchless thermometer prior to entering the church. If temperature is above 99.0 entry is not allowed
• Have a sign on door that hands be sanitized and masks must be worn upon entering the church (Having a motion activated hand sanitizer would be beneficial)
Instruct church members that masks must remain on the entire length of the service
A supply of masks should be readily available if the individual does not have their own
Ushers and greeters should be equipped with gloves and masks
• Practice social distancing by maintaining appropriate distance (at least 6 feet between people)
Twenty five people or below is all that should be allowed in building at one time
This could be accomplished by adding additional service times to facili
tate social distancing
Restrict seating to every other pew
Only people who live in the same household should sit together
Releasing members by family unit in order to maintain social distancing
Discourage any social time before or after church during this pandemic situation
• Singing spreads germs more than talking. Choir of only 2-3 people distanced at least 6 feet apart and away from congregation can remove mask for short time to sing a song
• If members of the congregation sing they much keep facial masks on
• Wash hands frequently and have hand sanitizer readily available, using your elbow to cover coughs, and not touching your face
• Adhere to strict cleaning and sanitation practices in the church
• Clean and disinfect areas frequently
• Consider keeping childcare closed unless the place of worship can comply with CDC guidelines for childcare facilities
• Refrain from passing the collection plate and supply a central collection box or encourage online giving.
• Consider how sacraments can be administered without attendees having to touch the same surfaces and objects
The guidelines are recommendations to keep the clergy and citizens of the State of WV safe.
The above facts are taken directly from the Guidance for Religious Entities brought forth by the Governor Jim Justice’s Executive Order 9-20. This full document can be found on the Governor’s webpage under West Virginia Strong- The Comeback. This website can be accessed at: governor.wv.gov/The-Comeback/Pages/default.aspx