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After Weeks on Zoom, Churches Consider Plans to Reopen After Weeks on Zoom, Churches Consider Plans to Reopen
(2 days later)
When everything began shutting down back in March, Steve Wiens thought he would be leading church via Zoom for two, maybe four, weeks.When everything began shutting down back in March, Steve Wiens thought he would be leading church via Zoom for two, maybe four, weeks.
Members of his church, Genesis Covenant in Robbinsdale, Minn., rose to the challenge. They celebrated the Eucharist from their kitchens, with coffee and doughnuts, Capri Sun and Oreos. They divided themselves into small groups across town to keep tabs of who needed groceries or supplies.Members of his church, Genesis Covenant in Robbinsdale, Minn., rose to the challenge. They celebrated the Eucharist from their kitchens, with coffee and doughnuts, Capri Sun and Oreos. They divided themselves into small groups across town to keep tabs of who needed groceries or supplies.
“We’ve somehow maintained a real intimacy and sweetness because we leaned into the values that always held us,” Mr. Wiens said.“We’ve somehow maintained a real intimacy and sweetness because we leaned into the values that always held us,” Mr. Wiens said.
But as the weeks have turned into months, and Zoom fatigue is settling in, many church leaders are contemplating how — and when exactly — to reopen. This week, Mr. Wiens mapped out a four-stage plan of what a return to safe in-person worship might look like. Maybe by July they could worship in socially distant groups of 50, he guessed, and maybe they could lift all limits in the fall.But as the weeks have turned into months, and Zoom fatigue is settling in, many church leaders are contemplating how — and when exactly — to reopen. This week, Mr. Wiens mapped out a four-stage plan of what a return to safe in-person worship might look like. Maybe by July they could worship in socially distant groups of 50, he guessed, and maybe they could lift all limits in the fall.
“That may be optimistic,” he said. “What we are doing right now will change how faith is expressed in worship, whether we like it or not.”“That may be optimistic,” he said. “What we are doing right now will change how faith is expressed in worship, whether we like it or not.”
After being closed for in-person worship for nearly two months, churches across the country, like many businesses, are wondering how to operate in the longer term. It is a practical, political and spiritual question, all rolled into one.After being closed for in-person worship for nearly two months, churches across the country, like many businesses, are wondering how to operate in the longer term. It is a practical, political and spiritual question, all rolled into one.
As government officials across the country announce a range of plans to reopen parts of the economy, church leaders are reacting in a similarly patchwork fashion, sometimes in concert with official guidance, sometimes in opposition to it.As government officials across the country announce a range of plans to reopen parts of the economy, church leaders are reacting in a similarly patchwork fashion, sometimes in concert with official guidance, sometimes in opposition to it.
The issue of in-person religious gatherings is politically charged in many places. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to meet with faith leaders in Des Moines on Friday to discuss reopening religious services, another sign that the administration sees churches as allies in its efforts to reopen the country. Last week, Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa announced that she would lift restrictions on public religious gatherings, as long as they followed sanitation and social distancing guidelines.The issue of in-person religious gatherings is politically charged in many places. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to meet with faith leaders in Des Moines on Friday to discuss reopening religious services, another sign that the administration sees churches as allies in its efforts to reopen the country. Last week, Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa announced that she would lift restrictions on public religious gatherings, as long as they followed sanitation and social distancing guidelines.
Some conservative Christians argue that stay-at-home restrictions have limited their religious freedoms. In California, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom was allowed to ban church assembly to protect public health, after a small evangelical church in the San Joaquin Valley, Cross Culture Christian Center, had sued him last month.Some conservative Christians argue that stay-at-home restrictions have limited their religious freedoms. In California, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom was allowed to ban church assembly to protect public health, after a small evangelical church in the San Joaquin Valley, Cross Culture Christian Center, had sued him last month.
In Fresno, Jim Franklin, pastor of Cornerstone Church, announced this week that he planned to reopen his doors to in-person worship on May 31. He is part of a growing group of evangelical pastors across the state who are working with a law firm to urge Mr. Newsom to allow churches to open along with other essential businesses.In Fresno, Jim Franklin, pastor of Cornerstone Church, announced this week that he planned to reopen his doors to in-person worship on May 31. He is part of a growing group of evangelical pastors across the state who are working with a law firm to urge Mr. Newsom to allow churches to open along with other essential businesses.
“We want to keep people healthy — mind, body and spirit,” Mr. Franklin said. “If people can be safe at a big-box store, if hundreds of people can gather there to pick up home improvement items, I think the church can also do it safely.”“We want to keep people healthy — mind, body and spirit,” Mr. Franklin said. “If people can be safe at a big-box store, if hundreds of people can gather there to pick up home improvement items, I think the church can also do it safely.”
Cornerstone plans to require socially distant seating for the about 3,000 people who usually attend services each week, and the church will not permit handshaking or fellowship times, he said.Cornerstone plans to require socially distant seating for the about 3,000 people who usually attend services each week, and the church will not permit handshaking or fellowship times, he said.
“We are asking those who are vulnerable not to come,” he said.“We are asking those who are vulnerable not to come,” he said.
But other pastors in Fresno see things differently. Paul Lawrence Binion II, who leads Westside Church of God, a Pentecostal church, said he was “nowhere ready” to reopen his church, which drew about 500 people every Sunday before the pandemic.But other pastors in Fresno see things differently. Paul Lawrence Binion II, who leads Westside Church of God, a Pentecostal church, said he was “nowhere ready” to reopen his church, which drew about 500 people every Sunday before the pandemic.
“The testing is not accessible, especially in our community, which is largely African-American and Hispanic,” he said. “Until I feel certain things are good, we are not coming back together, because I am the shepherd. The pastor is the shepherd who needs to look after his people.”“The testing is not accessible, especially in our community, which is largely African-American and Hispanic,” he said. “Until I feel certain things are good, we are not coming back together, because I am the shepherd. The pastor is the shepherd who needs to look after his people.”
His church, which has a large population of older adults, has been holding worship services, Bible studies and counseling sessions on Zoom, and it has been reaching even more people virtually, he said, as people are tuning in online around the country.His church, which has a large population of older adults, has been holding worship services, Bible studies and counseling sessions on Zoom, and it has been reaching even more people virtually, he said, as people are tuning in online around the country.
Episcopal bishops in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., said they would work together as they reopen, after a similar coordination effort by local government officials. They plan to start to allow limited indoor worship once cases and hospitalizations have declined for two weeks.Episcopal bishops in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., said they would work together as they reopen, after a similar coordination effort by local government officials. They plan to start to allow limited indoor worship once cases and hospitalizations have declined for two weeks.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
In South Carolina, Catholic parishes are planning to reopen for public Mass this month. Some priests are organizing plans for members to attend on a rotating basis, by last name or year of birth, to limit exposure.In South Carolina, Catholic parishes are planning to reopen for public Mass this month. Some priests are organizing plans for members to attend on a rotating basis, by last name or year of birth, to limit exposure.
But the pandemic has been so financially devastating that the question of reopening is no longer even possible for some smaller churches.But the pandemic has been so financially devastating that the question of reopening is no longer even possible for some smaller churches.
In Georgia, one of the first states to begin widespread reopening for businesses, Abby Norman learned on Friday that the church she leads, New Hope United Methodist in southeast Atlanta, could not afford to stay open and would have to permanently close.In Georgia, one of the first states to begin widespread reopening for businesses, Abby Norman learned on Friday that the church she leads, New Hope United Methodist in southeast Atlanta, could not afford to stay open and would have to permanently close.
The church has only about 20 members, and has struggled in recent years to meet its monthly operating costs, about $2,000 a month, $2,500 including its food bank, she said. The church had relied on income from renting its space, often for film projects, but the pandemic has now made that impossible.The church has only about 20 members, and has struggled in recent years to meet its monthly operating costs, about $2,000 a month, $2,500 including its food bank, she said. The church had relied on income from renting its space, often for film projects, but the pandemic has now made that impossible.
Even online services and online giving have not been realistic options, Ms. Norman said, as almost no one in the church can afford internet access or smartphones. Much of the church’s focus during the crisis has been on the food bank, which serves several dozen people in the church’s immediate neighborhood each week.Even online services and online giving have not been realistic options, Ms. Norman said, as almost no one in the church can afford internet access or smartphones. Much of the church’s focus during the crisis has been on the food bank, which serves several dozen people in the church’s immediate neighborhood each week.
But if she could reopen for worship, she would be cautious. “Because my people are high poverty, there’s higher rates of asthma and everything that makes you high risk,” Ms. Norman said.But if she could reopen for worship, she would be cautious. “Because my people are high poverty, there’s higher rates of asthma and everything that makes you high risk,” Ms. Norman said.
“I do not believe in opening the church if the most vulnerable could not come,” she said. “I do not think Jesus would be OK with that.”“I do not believe in opening the church if the most vulnerable could not come,” she said. “I do not think Jesus would be OK with that.”