Friends and Family,

We want to update you concerning pressing issues of the coronavirus known as COVID 19 and the precautions that we have been taking here at Salem Covenant Church.

Certainly, you have been aware of the spread of respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus. It has now spread to well over 100 locations internationally and has been officially deemed a pandemic. As articulated through many official governmental news outlets, websites, radio, TV, and social media, this is a time when we as citizens must be vehement in our precaution, prevention, and preparation. As we closely watch the movement of this disease, we must expect a significant increase in the number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in our locale. The latest accounting indicates only 1 confirmed COVID 19 case with 92 presumptive positive cases having been sent to the CDC. I’m sure by the time this email reaches you those numbers will have jumped.

Here is what we have done at church in our efforts to flatten those spiking numbers:

• All official church meetings have been canceled for the next two weeks.
• We are canceling worship for Sunday 3/15/2020 and will be evaluating the ever-changing situation closely going forward.
• The Greenwood Medical Clinic will be closed. UMASS Medical Center has pulled its students from serving the clinics making our operation non-feasible.
• Our cleaning company (Eagle Cleaning) has already been in touch with us and will be doing extra sterilizing procedures to ensure a safe environment.
• We are strongly advocating following the precautionary procedures listed at the bottom of this notice.

GUILD OF ST AGNES:
 The Guild of St Agnes will be in session during this time. The official MA State Department of Education concerning at risk childcare centers has advocated for the continuation of these programs for two reasons: at home risk of abuse, and food insecurity (most of our families are at the poverty level, it is important that they continue to receive the two-plus meals per day that they are served while at Salem). The staff members at the Guild have been instructed in extra sterilizing techniques and Eagle Cleaning will be providing their extra sterilizing measures.

BRIARWOOD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY:
• Many of our Salem friends and family are part of the Briarwood Community. They are implementing their own instructions and precautions in response to the virus. Please call Briarwood for specific instructions regarding a family member who is part of their community. This is what we know at this time:

o There will be NO VISITATION at Knollwood Nursing facility. Only those family members with near-death loved ones will be allowed into the facility.
o The campus has canceled all external programing.
o No large group meetings
o There will be no outside use of the pool and exercise facility
o Please utilize phone and other technologies to be in touch with friends and family of Briarwood particularly those who are known to isolate.
o Any visitation with residents in the independent assisted living and apartment components of Briarwood are encouraged to use social distancing, washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers, and disinfecting wipes.

THE COVID 19 SITUATION IS FLUID AND EVER-CHANGING SO THAT ANY INFORMATION WE HAVE SUPPLIED IS SUBJECT TO HOURLY CHANGES. WE WILL TRY TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH WHAT WE KNOW BUT PRECAUTION MUST BE THE KEY OPERATIVE. I WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A TELECONFERENCE WITH MATTIE CASTIEL, CITY COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR A MEETING WITH FAITH LEADERS ABOUT LOCAL RESPONSES TO COVID-19. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 AT 7 PM.

Here is more information and precautionary procedures offered through our Congressman Jim McGovern’s office.
What you need to know about prevention and detection:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Symptoms of infection may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:
• Fever
• Cough and shortness of breath, and
• In severe cases, pneumonia (fluid in the lungs)
If you have these symptoms and suspect you may have COVID-19, call ahead before going to a doctor or hospital!

If you do not have coverage, or if you need help with eligibility and enrollment into health insurance/safety net programs, I encourage you to call Health Care For All’s Health Coverage Helpline at (800) 272-4232.
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed. Here are some simple actions you can take to avoid exposure:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask: CDC does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and caretakers.
• Wash your hands often and vigorously with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has established a coronavirus resource page that can be found here and is updated daily.

Other reliable sources of information include:

CDC Coronavirus Website

CDC Frequently Asked Questions

Mass. Department of Public Health Printable Fact Sheets

The health and safety of you and your loved ones is my top priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call one of my district offices.

We remember as we take necessary precautions that we are held in the loving care of our God through the ever-present Holy Spirit. I urge all of us to pray for the immediate eradication of this swift-moving pandemic, that we refrain from any scapegoating of people or people groups, that we particularly aid and pray for the poor who are most at risk during this time, that we pray for our national and international leaders, that we keep in touch with people in our community who are in risk of isolation, and that we serve one another as followers of Jesus.

More soon,

Mark Nilson, Pastor