Good People,
I write to bring you up to date about reopening and risk factors and where we stand. Scientists have discovered over the course of the last 21 months that Covid-19 spreads most through aerosols, which are even tinier than sneeze droplets.
Remember the days of wiping down our groceries before we bringing them into the house?
People have complained that the advice keeps changing, wondering why our vaunted scientific community doesn’t get it right the first time. Yet that is a misunderstanding of how science works.
Take the Omicron Variant. We don’t know a whole lot about it yet, because the science of detection has gotten so good that it was picked up incredibly early. Poor South Africa gets ‘blamed’ for it because their scientists were the first on it. Scientists are always questioning, theorizing, testing, evaluating, re-evaluating. The more we know, the more things change. (And yes, we have to account for a little human error, too.)
Frustrating, yes, and exactly how it should be.
Here is the best we know right now and how UUCV is responding.
Because Covid is spread mostly by aerosols, ventilation indoors is the most important factor in reducing risk.
So:
** We have tuned up our HVAC, and the ‘old dinosaur’ is working very well.
** Because we can’t install filters on our system, we have place HEPA air purifiers throughout the sanctuary.
** We are also purchasing them for all enclosed meeting spaces.
** We are opening windows and doors, and placing fans around the sanctuary to keep the fresh air circulating.
How can we tell if these measures are working?
** We checked carbon dioxide levels with a CO2 monitor under different conditions, with few people in the sanctuary up to 100.
** The results so far suggest there is very low risk of Covid spread in the sanctuary – even if someone present is unknowingly infected with Covid, the risk that anyone else will catch it is very small.
The risks, as scientists and public health officials tell us, is never zero. It never was and never will be, yet this is the most reassuring news I have heard.
The road ahead?
From the most recent UUA recommendations:
“Guidelines about types of masks to wear, safe distancing, air exchanges per hour, etc. are likely to continue to change. It will be harder and harder to for the UUA to offer specific and/or prescriptive guidance, given the variety of circumstances.”
Some congregations – largely in wintry New England – have decided to cancel indoor Christmas Eve services due to Omicron. Most of the congregations in Southern California are still watching and waiting hopefully.
At UU Ventura, we are still planning two services indoors on Christmas Eve – with an outdoor, masked carol sing for everyone between services. The services, which will be the same, are at 5 and 6:15 pm. Families are welcome at both. The 6:15 service will also be on Zoom and streamed.
The Reopening Team, Board, Staff, and I are all watching and waiting along with you.
Depending on how things develop, we may very well expand the number of people in the sanctuary to 75 by the end of the month.
One last suggestion: Because we are keeping windows and doors open and blowing in as much fresh air as possible, please bundle up in layers when you come to church in person!
They never taught me about ministry in a time of pandemic in seminary.
I’m still grateful that we are doing this together.
With love,
Rev. Dana
