Hello MLUC Members, attenders, and neighbors,

Neal, Rich, Dawn Star and I met today to discuss the threat of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 here at MLUC.

COVID-19 is a lower respiratory tract disease (pneumonia) with fever, cough and shortness of breath. How severe your symptoms are depends on your state of health and age when you get sick. It is highly contagious and spreads primarily through the air (coughing and sneezing).

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often 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 hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

We want you to know the precautions we are taking here at MLUC.

• We are stepping up cleaning protocols, with an emphasis on handrails, door knobs, etc.
• We will be providing tissues, hand sanitizer, and waste baskets stations on Sundays.
• We will not be holding hands at the end of Sunday Service but touching elbows instead.

If there is a ban on large public gatherings or school closings for health reasons we will stream Sunday services as best we can, and continue to communicate with members via phone, internet and text messages.

For your further edification visit www.cdc.gov

Meanwhile, this is an ideal time to remind you of the church’s existing safety policy regarding illness:

Please stay at home (or keep your child at home) if you (or they) have experienced any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:

• fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• vomiting or severe diarrhea
• uncontrollable coughing or sneezing
• any other condition believed to be contagious or dangerous to the community