COVID Task Force Update
After much counsel and prayer, we have decided not to have any services at the North River campus this Sunday due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases. We encourage the congregation to have church with their families/households in their homes, and there will be a live-stream option as always. We hope everyone has a very safe and merry Christmas. Please see message below from Dr. Kevin Broyles of our COVID Task Force.
In Him,
North River Church of Christ
- The surge of COVID is UNPRECEDENTED. Yesterday in Cobb county alone we had almost 1300 cases (doesn’t include positive cases at home) - this is the highest number of cases ever in this pandemic.
- Cobb county is at a >24% positivity rate recorded - this doesn’t include cases at home. This means over 1/4 of people who are being tested are positive.
- testing lines and lines for appointments at urgent cares are miles long.
- urgent cares and hospitals are overwhelmed and are surging - closing their doors to new patients because they cannot handle the volume.
- We are all becoming aware that many, many people in our congregation, including the AV team, the ministry staff and many members are sick and testing positive.
- It is important to note that this virus is so contagious that it goes through single layer cloth masks, infects people who have had covid and who have been immunized.
COVID Task Force Update & Resources (August 25, 2021)
- Due to the unprecedented steep rise in COVID cases in our area, all indoor events at our church campus will be masked and distanced.
- This change is for the next two weeks. At that time we will re-evaluate and make further decisions based on the current data.
Of course, over the past year, we have all been educated about the signs and symptoms of COVID and ask out of love and respect for your brothers and sisters that if you have any risk of COVID:
- Recent exposure to someone COVID positive
- You are waiting results of a COVID test or you have signs or symptoms of COVID (fever, cough, chills, sweats, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, etc) that you choose our virtual-worship option for 10-14 days.
A huge shout out to our dedicated, thoughtful and educated COVID task force for their ongoing commitment, concern and hard-work in helping us to keep our Church family healthy and safe.
COVID-19 Symptoms can be confusing.
Do I have allergies, a cold, influenza or the corona virus?
Information about how to tell the difference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/covid-19-cold-flu-and-allergies-differences/art-20503981
Prevention
- Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by continuing with hand washing, social distancing, and masks over the next several months since there is a lag period after vaccination.
- Transmission to other people may still occur after vaccination despite lack of illness.
- Completed the vaccination series will offer you protection, but you can still get the virus and give it to others, therefore still practice masking, hand washing, distancing and avoiding large groups.
Excellent source of information about prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/toolkits/general-public.html
Herd Immunity
Return to normal activities will require herd immunity where 85% of the population have been either been infected or received the vaccine. This may not occur until late Summer or early Fall 2021. We should all remember to protect our family and friends until then. We should all decide that the COVID epidemic “Should End with Me”.
We are so blessed to have a family in Christ!
- Despite the challenges of living in the Roman Empire, our brothers and sisters we have an amazing family - Acts 2:42-47.
- Even though we cannot meet together as we would like, we can encourage one another…daily… Hebrews 3:12-13.
- There are over 100 one-another verses in the scriptures that we can continue to fulfill despite the pandemic.
Wonderful infographic about one-another verses: https://overviewbible.com/one-another-infographic/
Emotional support should be provided to family and friends as COVID infections surge over the next 1-2 months and we all feel the burden of the stress and isolation it causes. Please stay connected to family and friends especially Singles during this difficult period.
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