I go to services every week, where masks are encouraged but not required.
I sit in the mask only section, and have reported people for sitting unmasked in that section almost every week.
For the past 2 weeks I've gotten an email the next day saying someone attending had felt unwell after services and tested positive for Covid. There was an event this week I decided to watch on zoom, along with 34 others. Most were wearing masks, which I was pleased to see.
I have continued to wear a mask, and been even more careful after the emails. I could be asymptomatic and don't want to spread it, especially to elderly friends.
Earlier this week we got an email from our executive director about the covid exposure, and she was very clear. I'm copying it below.
Hello friends,
Like me, many of you are concerned over the recent reality that there have been potential COVID exposures at the services. I want to take this opportunity to share a few reminders with you all.
1) If you are experiencing ANY symptoms, please stay home, take a test, and take care of yourself. I myself took 3 tests this past week because my allergies have been wreaking havoc on my body and allergy issues present similarly to some COVID symptoms. The days of conducting 'business as usual' when we are sick are over. No one wants your cold any more than they want COVID. Please stay home.
2) While you aren't required to wear a mask anymore, it is still the recommendation of our medical task force that you do. When you are here for 2+ hours, with 30-50 people, it is the cautious thing to do.
3) If you are on Medicare, you can receive eight at-home tests per month FREE. I am not yet on Medicare, so I've been paying for mine at CVS or Amazon. I highly encourage you to have a few tests at home that you can use immediately, should you have even SLIGHT symptoms.
4) If you think you have been exposed, it is recommended that you not test until the 5th day, unless you develop symptoms sooner. I personally have tested twice on the 3rd day and in both cases, the lab technician said that I should test again on day 5. So while patience isn't necessarily easy, in this case, it is certainly prudent.
I realize that nothing that I've said here is new information, however it is always smart to remind ourselves and hold ourselves accountable for the safety of our family and friends.
I think that was very well said. #1 especially.
Personal choice, personal responsibility, selfish, stupid, stubborn behavior by too many.
As far as I know I'm in the minority. I haven't had Covid and continue to wear a mask. The emphasis is now on treating covid, rather than avoiding infection.
= new reply since forum marked as read