Covid Update 1.12.22

Public Domain - click for full credit

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage…
The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’

- Shakespeare, Henry V,
spoken by Prince Hal as he rallies his troops for battle

That is just about the only Shakespeare I have committed to memory (from a high school drama class, no less!). And it seems appropriate as we confront the omicron variant. I know that we are all feeling worn down by the endless pivots and adjustments and regulations, but I am issuing a battle cry and asking you to join in as we work to keep Plymouth safe.
 
Last night our Pandemic Team met and reached the decision that for the safety of our church community, we will do broadcast-only worship on Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00. It is a little heartbreaking for me to let you know this, but I know it is the best decision for the physical health of our church family. We will continue this through the end of January (the next three Sundays) and the Pandemic Team will re-evaluate then. (I’ll include some of the meeting minutes from the Pandemic Team’s gather last evening below if you’d like to see the data they are using to reach decisions.)

Fortunately, we have a top-notch livestream system in place. If you are on this email list, you’ll receive a link (as always) on Saturday evening around 7:00, and you can always go to plymouthucc.org on Sunday morning and click to livestream. Your worship bulletin will also be on our website.

Our Adult Education Forums on Afghan Refugees will continue via Zoom only, and you’ll find the link to this great series in that same Saturday evening email. Do join in!

The Pandemic Team has also asked that all meetings of groups at Plymouth go online only, including youth, men’s coffee, board and committee meetings, and the rest. Thank God we now know how to do this! If your group needs to schedule a new meeting, please click on this link or call Barb Gregory in the church office at 970-482-9212. (Existing Zoom meetings are set…no need to request a new Zoom link.)

Thanks to each of you for your support and cooperation. I know it’s difficult, but together with God’s help, we can do this!

Blessings and good health to you,

from the Pandemic Team minutes, January 11, 2022

Criteria for reopening with limited attendance (CDC and Larimer County Guidelines)

Current 7 day case rate per 100 k is 1457 (up 52% since last week), Covid patients in hospital 86 (up 36% from last week), and ICU usage at 98% (up 14% from last week).  The director of the county health department says he expects numbers of cases will peak in the next 1-2 weeks and will hopefully start decreasing after that.

The Omicron variant is 2.7-3.7 times more infectious than Delta which is why numbers are going so high so quickly.  We are seeing breakthrough in triple vaccinated people as well, and county officials noted that they are seeing more hospitalizations in fully vaccinated individuals over 80 years of age as well as unvaccinated children under age 5.

Fully vaccinated individuals can be silent carriers of the Omicron variant. The county recommends that people upgrade to wearing KN95 masks indoors and especially for those who are unvaccinated or immune compromised even if fully vaccinated….

The committee discussed the current severe rise in Covid cases with the new Omicron variant, and noted that the pressure on the health care system right now is extreme due to the high numbers of people infected. Barry Beatty noted that the science supports avoiding group indoor meetings right now and that it seems prudent to suspend in person worship, any in-person meetings (other than staff), and adult education programs through the month of January as we watch what happens with the rates of cases and hospital use.  Harmony Tucker noted that CSU is requiring all staff and students to be triple vaccinated and is recommending all persons take a saliva test prior to being allowed on campus and upgrade masks to KN95. Bob Jeffrey says that the Thompson school district is now recommending KN95 for all staff.