Reopening Team's Recommended Changes ─ Sept. 2, 2021

UCSD Health this week published a new study on the effectiveness of vaccines and the high transmissibility rate of Covid's Delta variant. The data are very concerning. Even in a more than 80% vaccinated workforce, vaccine effectiveness appears to be waning, down in July to 65% from 95%. This likely comes from the Delta surge combined with the end of indoor mask mandates. Please note that while vaccine effectiveness does seem to wane over time, let us be clear that vaccines are still our best single defense against the virus. The overall risk in San Diego had already been creeping up. The number of cases and deaths make us a high-risk area. And the latest UUA guidelines for high-risk areas like ours is to suspend all large in-person gatherings, both indoors and out.

In light of all the factors your reopening team is now recommending the immediate suspension of our in-person worship services, and a return, for the foreseeable future, to virtual only. Our online virtual services will continue at 9:30 am each Sunday, with Social Hours and Board Chat back to the 10:30 am timing. Please check the Window for links.

For smaller groups that choose to meet, we are only allowing outdoors at this time with masks required at times and physical distancing will have to be carefully observed.

​Our actions are taken with heavy heart but determined responsibility. We realize the happiness our brief reunion with one another has brought, but this tireless disease is not done with us yet. We have to accept the true situation. We will watch new data closely. And we'll carry the strong desire to be together into all of our discussions and decisions. For now this is where we are. We look ahead to a better time.