Q&A with the Reopening Team

​​The Reopening Team has been researching and responding to your questions as our region continues to experience fluctuating and sometimes confusing COVID guidelines. As San Diego is currently in Tier 1 (Purple) on the state's infection scae, gatherings of any size are considered unsafe. However, we have been sharing ideas and we invite you to read the questions and answers so far. Steve H. sent in this one "I agree that we cannot get back to “normal” for many, many months, maybe years. But that does not mean that we must have no in-person activities. Please tell me if you think this suggestion is not advisable, and why." 

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Small groups, maybe 10 or less, can meet under the following conditions:

1. Meet outside and maintain at least 6 ft distance.
2. All must wear masks.
3. Only meet in person if every member of the group feels safe. If one or more members don’t feel safe, then the group continues to meet online.

I believe this meets the necessary medical precautions, and does not discriminate against anyone who is more at risk, or just does not feel safe with in-person gatherings. On a different topic, can you tell me if any of our members have been diagnosed with COVID-19?
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Responses from the Reopening Team
Thank you for your question Steve. Unfortunately, in-person gatherings of any size are considered unsafe at present given that we are currently in Tier 1 (Purple) with respect to Covid-19 which indicates that the disease is widespread.  In addition, the church cannot reopen at all without formulating and submitting a Safe Reopening Plan to the San Diego County Health Department and this is not possible in the current ever-changing situation. Overall, our responses are guided by evidence-based public health advisories. 

The type of small gathering you suggest would perhaps be a way to begin once conditions are safer, although currently we believe that this would not be before we reach at least Tier 2 or even 1 (moderate or minimal disease spread). The committee also recently conducted an exercise in planning such a gathering by considering in detail the necessary resources, staffing and protocols that would be required to ensure safety. We found that it would be considerably more challenging than we had expected.  We hope to share some of this information in a forum setting in the near future.  A significant area of concern, in addition to safety, is our need to be mindful of how to be inclusive in our decision-making and aware of how our actions might harm others. It is particularly important to consider health disparities that impact different groups in our community and the differing infection rates (and therefore risk) across the county. We are also concerned that several members of our congregation are known to have already contracted the virus.

Remarks from Betsy S. 
I think Steve has made some good points. It is probably always the case that some of us will be disabled in some way while others are disabled in others. We are learning that isolation is disabling for some, not so much for others. Perhaps we can find ways to help each other in ways we have not thought through yet. Like visiting fellow members who are neighbors while observing social distancing and and wearing masks.

Responses from the Reopening Team
Thank you for your question Betsy.  Your suggestion of finding ways to help others during this difficult time of isolation when we cannot meet in person is a very good one.  We are very sensitive to the fact that the impact of social distancing includes social isolation and other losses. The reopening team is gathering suggestions from our various church groups and from outside sources for ways to connect and explore activities online and outdoors that can be engaging, educational and provide a sense of connection.  We will be publicizing this list soon.

Question from Curran J.
I think Steve has a possible approach for very small groups. I could see the UUCSG doing a very small meditation circle based on praying a new story. We are working on a proposal that Rev. Tania has agreed to bring to the Re-Opening Team.
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Responses from the Reopening Team
Thank you, Curran, for considering how to proceed carefully once the infection rate indicates that it may be safe to begin meeting again in person.  The reopening team will issue guidance on a process for this once conditions improve.

Do you have a question for the Reopening Team? Add it below in the comments section.