Q: When can we increase In-Person Attendance?

A: When the number of new cases of Covid-19 in the State of Wisconsin trends down over a two-week period, the Task Force considers if the number of persons for in-person activities will increase.

• Why two weeks? Many factors impact trends, but based on past numbers, it appears two weeks is a long enough window to see a trend as compared to day to day variations.
• Why Wisconsin (and not counties)? More data results in better reliability. County by county numbers may be helpful for determining hot spots, but not as reliable in determining trends. There are limitations for trend determination from population size and that people don't limit travel and interactions to those only from one county.

The criteria of a two-week trend does not mean immediate increases - it is the point when the Task Force examines the factors to determine if change is warranted. For example, if new cases doubled each week over 4 weeks followed by a slow decrease over 2 weeks, change is unlikely because the total number with the virus would be much higher than today. Another example: if the rate declined over 2 weeks, but the death rate and hospitalization rate increased, these increase might lead the Task Force to decide not to change.

Q: Why 25% OF SPACE CAPACITY?

A: The short answer - geometry. 25% of capacity allows social distancing with enough space for movement. Individuals are able readily observe when someone may be closer than six feet and react accordingly.

Q: ​Why continue to limit?

Make the safest decision for our worshipping community with the goal to reduce the risk of transmission. The Task Force considers the risk of transmission to an individual, but more appreciably considers the increased risk to others. Factors to risk include: 

• RATE: The rate of infection in Wisconsin continues to be high and more contagious strains of the virus have appeared.
• VACCINE: Vaccination decreases the risk, but vaccinating the populace takes time to make an impact on the rate of infection.
• TIME: Risk of transmission increases by the amount of time a group is together. This is true even when masked and maintaining social distancing (both reduce, but do not eliminate risk).
• SPACE: Risk of transmission increases by the number of people in a fixed space. Being indoors, especially in winter, adds to this increased risk. This is true even when masked and maintaining social distancing (both reduce, but do not eliminate risk).
• HOSPITAL: In Wisconsin, our health systems are strained by the care of Covid patients, impacting other forms of care. This strain is compounded by the strain it causes to health care staff. Overburdening the health system dramatically increase care provided to all.

The Task Force and Bishop, working with the best information they can gather, affirm for the time being, it is the best practice to continue to limit gatherings in our churches.

​Q: IS THERE A SUMMARY FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP?

​A:  Here are the primary focus points for Sunday worship:

• Everyone will wear masks and use hand sanitizer.
• Work out a way to seat household groups at least 6 feet apart.
• If possible, figure out a "one way traffic" pattern for walking around the church.
• No singing.
• Minimize touching, maximize cleaning (hands, items, and building).

Q: ​We want to gather as best we can, but communion seems too risky. Can we keep doing Morning Prayer?

You can! Morning Prayer is one option. Another option is to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word portion of the Holy Eucharist, using the directions found at the bottom of page 405 in the Book of Common Prayer. 

Q: Why aren’t we screening people with temperature checks?

​A: We are relying on people to stay home if they feel ill in any way, including having a fever. This is one of the best ways to avoid infecting others. It appears that even people who are asymptomatic and afebrile may still be infected and therefore a normal temperature would not exclude the possibility of illness. Wearing masks, social distancing, and hand washing are the best measures we have to reduce risk from asymptomatic carriers of the virus.

​Q: Why IS Communion ONLY THE HOST?

​A. We are attempting to be responsible to both health concerns and theological concerns. Having people consume the Host with communicants washing hands with sanitizer before and after communing addresses the first concern. Theologically we maintain the symbolism of one bread, one body by having the bread and wine together on the altar during consecration.

Q: Why is only the celebrant to receive the wine?

​A. We take the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer seriously in the Diocese of Fond du Lac. But this particular rubric (BCP, p.  407) does not address the realities of pandemic. There is a long tradition of allowing for some flexibility in times of "plague, sweat, or such other like contagious times of sickness or diseases." The Presiding Bishop has been clear that adaptation in this regard is acceptable.

​Q: Why is singing not being allowed at services at this time?

​A: Singing (and shouting) sends more virus laden particles into the air, compared with talking,
and a mask may not fully prevent this. There have been several episodes of large numbers of
choir members falling ill with COVID-19 after singing with an infected choir member. Singing
together in church may carry the same risk.

​Q: Why are outside church gatherings being restricted the same way as inside gatherings?

​A: Although it is thought that the risk of spreading COVID-19 to nearby people is lower outside than inside, there is still some risk, and uncertainty about how great that risk is. Until more information is available about outside risk, the COVID-19 task force recommended using the same guidance inside and outside.

​Q: Why are masks required?

​A: Many new cases of COVID-19 are due to spread of the virus from people who are infected but have no symptoms of illness. As many as 40% of cases may spread this way. Masks stop some of the particles in the air we breathe out, and so wearing a mask reduces the chance that we will unknowingly infect someone else. We wear a mask to protect others in our church community, not just to protect ourselves.

Q: ARE THESE INSTRUCTIONS ONLY FOR SUNDAY MORNING OR ARE MIDWEEK SERVICES OK?

A: Yes, midweek services are allowed as long as you follow the guidelines.

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