In light of the recent changes announced by the CDC, some of you have asked me whether St. Paul’s will be changing our masking requirements for indoor worship.
The short answer is: no, there will be no change for now.
We will continue to require masks in the sanctuary at all times.
The CDC has announced that, in parts of the country where COVID-19 hospitalizations are low, masks can be optional. For some of us, that’s exciting and welcome news. For others, it’s disturbing and feels too soon.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum, I get it!
And, masks are a small but powerful way we can continue to care for our neighbors.
As you know, children under 5 still cannot receive vaccinations for COVID-19. Thanks be to God, our St. Paul’s congregation is blessed with many children under 5 years old. For them, we will continue to wear masks for now.
Additionally, our St. Paul’s family is blessed with many people who live with immune compromise from all kinds of conditions—ones we know about and others that we don’t. Immuno-compromised people, even if fully vaccinated, are at higher risk for infection from COVID-19 and for worse outcomes if they do get infected. For them, we will continue to wear masks for now.
This is an ongoing conversation among the St. Paul’s leadership, and we welcome your thoughts. Please send me an email or talk to a vestry member at church.