?Dear Council: I noticed in Friday’s MP City email that the recommendations for places of worship did not reference some important State (CA Dept Health) guidance: "Religious leaders are asked to "strongly consider" discontinuing singing and group recitation where the possibility transmission of the virus through exhaled droplets is increased." Or: "Shorter services, additional meeting times, and reservation systems are also suggested to keep worshipers safe." Choirs or singing groups are a serious exposure context, one of the best known for super-spreaders, and hence to be avoided. Another State recommendation is to not share communion cups or other sacraments involving significant viral exposure pathways. There's more, but I don't see our recommendations summary stating there is more, or where it may be found, nor recommendations such as the above which congregants should be aware of. Apparently the items indicated in the City email from San Mateo County are meant, by the County Health Director, as additional conditions to the State’s more detailed worship guidance. That’s a useful missing reference. Residents need to hear this additional advice, or made aware they need to be informed. That will help them prepare for months of activity guided by COVID rules. It’s also unfair to places of worship to place the burden entirely on them. Note also that “The Supreme Court late Friday rejected a California church’s challenge of the state’s new pandemic-related rules on worship services, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. joining the court’s liberals in the 5-to-4 vote.” John Kadvany / College Avenue Received on Sun May 31 2020 - 11:38:15 PDT
