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The COVID-19 pandemic produced a flurry of ecclesiastical activity as pastors, congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization attempted to navigate uncertain waters. In the thick of the pandemic, nearly weekly updates were being posted on a synod webpage dedicated to pandemical concerns. Matters related to corporate worship, pastoral care, sacramental acts, governance, general safety, and more occupied much of our thought (and time).

Now, four years after the federal lockdown, we are in a very different place. The pandemic has become endemic. We live with SARS-CoV-2. The virus is still among us (people still get sick and some die), but the health care system is not overwhelmed. We go about daily life, perhaps a little more cautiously but not, for most, in a significantly curtailed fashion.

In light of the news from the CDC (posted below), we have archived our previous COVID-19 webpage. It is still available online (click here) for anyone who would like to study it as a matter or history.

Government

Federal / CDC

From the CDC's  Respiratory Virus Updates: Newsletter of 5 March 2024:

Last week, CDC released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the United States is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID-19, and RSV. As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies and additional considerations for people who are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, including older adults, young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with disabilities, and pregnant people.

You can review the following on the CDC's Respiratory Virus Guidance page:

• Preventing Respiratory Viruses
• Immunizations for Respiratory Viruses
• Hygiene and Respiratory Virus Prevention
• Taking Steps for Cleaner Air for Respiratory Virus Prevention
• Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick
• Masks and Respiratory Virus Prevention
• Physical Distancing and Respiratory Viruses
• Testing and Respiratory Viruses
• Special Considerations
• Older Adults
• Young Children
• People with Weakened Immune Systems
• People with Disabilities
• Pregnant People
• Treatment as Prevention

MD
VA
WV

State / Commonwealth

Be advised state governments may impose emergency measures which give force of law to elements of the Federal guidance or even exceed it. Keep tuned to announcement from Federal, state, and local officials.

The states and commonwealth listed at right are included because WV-WMD Synod has congregations physically located in those jurisdictions. Click on the logo to access information about coronavirus in that state/commonwealth named.

Local

County level health departments may have authority to respond to local outbreaks. Contact your county health department if you have questions.

Church Life and Work under COVID-19