Playing It Safe in the COVID-19 Era—Part 1

By Robin G. Jordan

As church leaders weigh the decision to relaunch services and other gatherings at their church, here is some information that they need to know in making that decision and protecting their congregation and their community from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus is classified as a respirator infection like influenza but the disease is far more dangerous than influenza. It can do damage to the human body much greater than the damage done by influenza and has taken a high toll in deaths among the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, and immunological disorders. It has also taken a toll among those in the 20s to 40s age range.

The COVID-19 virus is primarily spread in situations in which people are standing or sitting in close proximity to each other. Loud talking and singing may spread droplets of moisture containing the virus particles as well as coughing and sneezing. An individual who is infected with the virus does not need to exhibit symptoms to spread the virus. COVID-19 virus particles may remain suspended in the air for a long enough time and in large enough concentration that even though the person who emitted the particles is no longer present, individuals may become infected with the virus from the air-borne particles. In rooms that are mechanically ventilated,  COVID-19 virus particles have been found in higher concentrations than in rooms in which the doors and windows are open to the outside and fresh air is circulating in the room and dispersing the particles. The highest concentrations of COVID-19 virus particles have been found in bathrooms and rest rooms. There is some evidence that humans shed COVID-19 virus particles in their urine and feces as well as emit them from their mouth and nose.

The COVID-19 virus may also be spread by contaminated surfaces if the concentration of COVID-19 virus particles on the surface is high enough and the person who touches the contaminated surface touches their face—particularly their mouth and nose.

While very few cases of the COVID-19 virus have been traced to small groups of individuals who were outdoors and who were maintaining a distance of six feet (or two meters) between each other, several large clusters of COVID-19 virus cases have been traced to large groups of people who were outdoors and were not observing social distancing but were crowded closely together.

Research shows that children can carry the same virus load as adults. At the time of this article it has not been established to what extent children are transmitters of the disease in the case of the COVID-19 virus. Children who become infected with the virus may show no or mild symptoms. They may also develop a syndrome in which their blood vessels become swollen and infected. Children who have a compromised immunological system or some other pre-existing condition may die from complications related to COVID-19.

In outbreaks of a dangerous highly infectious disease like COVID-19 it is not unusual to hear different opinions related to the seriousness of the disease and what precautionary measures should be taken to prevent its spread. People react differently to threats to their health and safety and the health and safety of the community. Denial, the refusal or unwillingness to recognize the existence of such a threat, its nature, its extent, or its severity, is not an uncommon reaction. COVID-19, however is a life-threatening, contagious disease and its threat to our health and safety and the health and safety to others should not be downplayed or dismissed. In weighing any decision, church leaders need to keep the life-threatening nature of the disease and its contagiousness in mind.

The following suggestions are based upon precautionary measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and other sources or adopted outside of the United States and of demonstrable effectiveness. In most instances I offer a rationale for a particular measure.

Continue online services and drive-in services. These types of services have been shown to be the safest and least likely to spread the COVID-19 virus. Once a church has relaunched services and other gatherings, it will still need to make provision for older church members and other vulnerable church members.

The church will also need to make provision for church members who are not convinced that it is safe to regather. Church leaders will need to keep in mind the principle that apostle Paul expounds in Roman 14. Dismissing the concerns of these church members is not consistent with how the disciples of Jesus Christ should conduct themselves. As Christians we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us. This includes being sensitive to the concerns of our fellow Christians.

In areas which have limited internet service and few church members have access to the internet or in which few church members own cars, a church may want to consider broadcasting services on the radio. At one time broadcasting services on the radio was a fairly common practice. Church members who were shut-ins or otherwise unable to attend services were able to hear hymns, prayers, and a sermon. Even in remote areas church members may own a battery-or solar-operated portable radio.

Regather gradually, beginning with small groups, meeting off-campus. This approach is related to the approach adopted in New Zealand, in which households slowly expanded their social bubble to include more people. Start with a few small groups at a time. Allow 14 to 21 days to pass before starting next cluster of small groups. 21 days is preferred. 14 days is the length of time that the COVID-19 virus takes to incubate. A number of health experts, however, recommend waiting the longer period.

Small groups should closely monitor the contacts of their members with people outside the small group and the households of the small group members. They should keep a record of such contacts. Members of the small group should agree to keep the small group informed of these contacts. Small group leaders should stress the importance of looking out for each other and not carelessly exposing the small group to infection. During this phase small groups that contain one or more older church members or other vulnerable church members or whose members have older people or other vulnerable people in their households should continue to meet online.

The rationale for beginning with small groups is that it limits the number of people who might be exposed to COVID-19 at one time. It also simplifies the task of tracing contacts should a small group member exhibit symptoms of the virus or test positive for the virus.

A small group is any group that contains 12 people or less. A group that contains more than 12 people is not a small group. It no longer has the dynamics of a small group. Sunday school classes should not be considered small groups unless they contain 12 people or less. In a number of states the state health authorities have recommended against gatherings of more than 10 people. Over-sized small groups—small groups that have reached the 12-member limit or have one or two members over it should postpone regathering until the state health authorities believe that it is safe enough for larger groups to gather. Small groups should not regather on their own initiative but in consultation with the church’s leadership team. The regathering of small groups should be a part of a carefully thought out, closely coordinated plan.

When they are meeting members of small groups should maintain a distance of six feet (or two meters) between each other as well as wear face masks. They might initially meet outdoors. If they meet indoors, they should meet in a well-ventilated room, one to which the doors and windows are open and in which the air is circulating. They should also avoid sharing food. The doors should be propped open and surfaces that are likely to accumulate concentrations of COVID-19 virus particles should be decontaminated. Whoever is hosting the small group should provide hand sanitizer or the small group members should bring hand sanitizer with them. These precautions are an application of the principle of “layers of intervention.” Several precautionary measures used in combination with each other provide much greater protection from the virus than a single precautionary measure used by itself. The development of a simple, reliable test for the COVID-19 virus that small groups could use and which would provide results in a short period of time would reduce if not eliminate the need for such precautions.

To some readers these precautionary measures may appear to be a lot. They may even think that this writer is being overly cautious. However, loving our fellow Christians means looking out for their health and well-being and for the health and well-being of their households. Loving our neighbors means doing all that we can to protect them and the community from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As Christians we cannot ignore how what we do affects others. We cannot take the attitude that sheltering in place, social distancing, wearing face masks, avoiding unnecessary travel, and the like are matters of personal choice or even signs of weakness. While the world may not be entirely free from suffering until our Lord returns, we can still take steps to reduce the suffering in the world until that time.