August 11, 2021 COVID Task Force Update.
As Wilshire’s COVID-19 Advisory Task Force met Wednesday evening to review weekly COVID data and trends, the decision to move from recommending to requiring masks for everyone age 2 and older was unanimously agreed upon.
Therefore, please be prepared going forward to mask at all times inside the building. We will have masks available for those who don’t have one. We also ask that you be mindful of social distancing and practice it whenever possible.
Unfortunately, the situation continues to worsen and the task force feels that this decision, while unwelcome, is the best way forward. Local hospitalization rates are overwhelming and the drain and burden of community transmission is affecting our city’s medical personnel in ways that are indescribable.
There are other mitigation efforts we can employ to keep our gatherings safe — like good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated if you have not yet done so and are eligible.
As noted last week, we will continue with our current Sunday schedule — worship at 9 and 11 a.m. with Sunday School at 10 — until further notice. We will not offer beverage service on Sundays or for any meetings or events and ask that you refrain from bringing in outside food and drink. Youth, children and preschoolers will promote to new classes this Sunday, Aug. 15, as planned. We are delaying the start of Wednesday activities to a date to be determined, but Koinonia Café To Go will continue offering takeout meals.
So many have chosen already to mask on Sundays and we thank you for your continued support. We hope that by employing these small acts, we will continue to make our environment as safe as possible for all who chose to come to Wilshire.