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Preparing for a possible pandemic



Calvin is Completing CDC’s Checklist


Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care.


Plan and Prepare

  • Update your emergency operations plan with the help of your local public health department, emergency operations coordinator or planning team, and other relevant partners to include COVID-19 planning.

  • Identify space that can be used to separate sick people if needed.

  • Develop an emergency communication plan for distributing timely and accurate information to workers and those you serve.

  • Identify actions to take if you need to temporarily postpone or cancel events, programs, and services, especially for groups at greater risk such as older adults or people with chronic health conditions.

  • Promote the practice of everyday preventative actions:

- Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.

- Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces.

- Stay home when sick.

  • Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your organization (e.g., soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, and a couple of disposable facemasks, just in case someone becomes sick during an event).

  • Plan for staff absences by developing flexible attendance and sick-leave policies, plan for alternative coverage, and monitor and track COVID-19 related staff absences.

  • Engage with stigmatized groups and speak out against negative behaviors to help counter stigma and discrimination.


Take Action


If there is COVID-19 in your community:

  • Stay informed about local COVID-19 information and updates.

  • Put your emergency operations and communication plans into action.

  • Communicate with your community members if events and services are changed, postponed, or cancelled.

  • Emphasize everyday preventive actions through intensified communications with employees and visitors to your organization.

- Stay home when sick.

- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.

- Wash hands often.

- Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).

  • During an event, if someone becomes sick separate them into an isolated room and ask them to leave as soon as possible.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

  1. PLEASE STAY HOME if you are SICK with COLD/FLU symptoms or SUSPECTCOVID-19 EXPOSURE and watch services online (if you don’t have online access, notify office and we’ll mail bulletin and sermon).

  2. NO HANDSHAKING, HUGGING, FIST or ELBOW BUMPS! Please use a shoulder hug, wave, bow, etc.

  3. WASH HANDS with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (if not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers).

WHAT TO KNOW?

  • The health, safety and well-being of everyone is our priority.

  • Calvin Coronavirus Task Force was formed with qualified and knowledgeable professionals to help Calvin stay ahead of this, promote health and peace of mind.

  • We are closely monitoring the updates from the most reliable sources. The PA Dept of Health is reporting 14 presumptive cases and 2 confirmed in Pennsylvania (Delaware, Wayne and Montgomery Counties in northeast and southeast PA).

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

  • Practicing Communion in a new, symbolic, meaningful way that with God’s help we believe will keep us safe, honor reformed theology and deepen us spiritually.

  • Calvin Coronavirus Task Force is communicating regularly and meeting a minimum of weekly in our efforts to stay as ahead of this ever-changing situation as possible.

  • Wiping down hard, nonporous, frequently touched surfaces and objects.

  • Fixing dispensers and refreshing supplies of soap and sanitizer.

  • Praying and preventing for best outcomes, preparing for the worst, and promoting peace of mind.

 

Calvin Coronavirus Task Force

Sandy Beahm, MSW

Dr. David English, MD

Vicky English, PT

Donna Galbraith, ER RN

Rev. A. David Paul, MS, MDiv

Jennifer Paul, NICU RN

Dr. Peter Sylves, DO


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