The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Tuesday, July 27, to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of COVID-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties. This is to prevent further spread of the Delta variant, more highly contagious than the initial virus. The updated CDC guidance also recommends everyone in schools, K–12, wear a mask.
Because of this change, the Presbytery's Mission Council encourages requiring masks for all people entering church buildings in counties or cities where there is substantial or high transmissions of COVID-19. Find the CDC community transmission level for your area.
Many are already doing this for worship on Sunday mornings, but it may be best to expand that to all meetings and gatherings. Since it has been determined that even fully vaccinated people can spread the virus, it’s up to all of us to do our part to help our POJ family as well as the communities in which we live.
We thank you for your willingness to do your part to bring a halt to this deadly disease.
