Our COVID-19 Covenant

The language of “covenant” is near and dear to our Unitarian Universalist hearts. It symbolizes a key aspect of our liberal religious heritage: that our unity is something we each help create through loving actions towards each other. “We do not have to think alike to love alike.”

Here is our COVID Covenant. It was developed by our Coordinating Team (composed of staff and lay leaders), our Parish Nurses, and safety expert Scott Armour.

As you may be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued new masking guidelines. As of March 10, 2022, more than 98% of the U.S. population lives in an area with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level. For us at West Shore, effective immediately, this means that mask wearing indoors will no longer be required. Both our Parish Nurses endorse this decision.

• The staff will continue to monitor infection rates, and should there be a new surge in infections, we may need to go back to requiring mask wearing. But for now, mask wearing will be recommended but not required.
  • This may feel like a big change to some, perhaps many. As the Cleveland Clinic said in a recent statement: “After nearly two years of wearing a face mask in public, you may be a little leery of removing yours. That’s OK and totally normal. Everyone has a different level of risk acceptance, and it’s a personal decision. If you’re not comfortable going maskless just yet, keep yourself covered.”
• At West Shore, mask wearing is recommended if
  • You have chosen to remain unvaccinated.
  • You have children who are too young to get vaccinated.
  • You or a loved one has a compromised immune system.
  • You or a loved one can’t get vaccinated due to a medical condition.

• Since vaccinations for children under 5 are still not available, we are calling everyone to make a special effort to care for this precious part of our community. In RE classes for children 5 and under, we will require mask wearing. And, when you interact with our youngest, please consider putting on a mask, for their sake.

Other changes to our Covid Covenant will include:

• The use of all pews, with explicit encouragement that people space themselves out.
• The “grand reopening” of Coffee Hour in Baker Hall on March 27, together with the Sermon Chat in the Sanctuary (the Sermon Chat will also include a ZOOM component for folks who can’t be there in person).

CONTACT TRACING: If you should test positive for COVID after attending the service, please contact Business Administrator Debbie Elliott in the church office at 440-333-2255 Ext. 100 or delliott@wsuuc.org. All information will remain confidential.