When this began, many expected the warmer weather to bring a slow down to the spread of COVID 19 and some return to normalcy. Back in May this certainly looked to be the case, and yet today we are in a season of increasing disease spread and, more significantly, increased hospitalizations. Experts disagree about whether this is that second wave they have warned us about, or a rebound in the first. But then, the experts disagree about everything with COVID 19.
Where do we go from here? I recommend we remain watchful. Most congregations are taking appropriate precautions to facilitate the safe gathering for worship. A few have suspended services for a couple of weeks, due either to a high proportion of the membership being vulnerable to serious complications from COVID or confirmed exposure to the virus through their activities. A handful of congregations have yet to meet since the March.
Whatever you believe about the seriousness of this disease (and we're indeed grateful that most infections appear less serious), remember the steps you take for social distancing, cough etiquette, disinfection, and facial coverings are minor inconveniences that display care and concern for those who gather with you and your neighbors at large.
One more thing. It seems today that everyone has inside information. I was on a ZOOM call this morning with my counterparts across the state and one said he had it on high authority that the governor would announce a two-week shut down of Texas this week. On that same call another colleague told us his sources said the governor was resisting advice to that end.
There certainly is increasing chatter about a pending return to “stay-at-home” orders. So it would be helpful for your church to have a game-plan ready should such orders be issued.
With previous orders, Texas authorities clearly established that churches are essential services and would not be legally closed by such orders. But they did ask that congregations conduct remotely whatever activities they could, and exercise appropriate mitigation protocols with the rest. While it’s impossible to interpret an order that hasn’t been issued yet, I would expect the same for any future lockdown.
So, given the increased conversation concerning a return to "stay at home" orders statewide, I recommend church leaders consider now how they will proceed if they are in fact issued. I pray it will not come to that, but having your plan ready cannot hurt. As always, I will have a review of any new emergency orders when they are issued.
Jim