Precautions for Keeping Safe 

The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed. Here are some simple actions you can take to avoid exposure:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects like phones and computers and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• The CDC recommends that all people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks are also crucial for health workers and care takers.
• Hopefully by now, you’ve been hearing it ad nauseum, but perhaps it can’t be said enough: one of the most important things you can do in the face of this or any other communicable disease is to be diligent about hand-washing. The most effective way to prevent the spread of germs is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Perhaps most importantly, listen to your body. If you are feeling ill, stay home. There is no shame, no need for repentance, no problem with allowing your body to rest. God has modeled – and mandated – sabbath rest for this very reason. You do not need to come to church if you are sick. In fact – you shouldn’t. 

The Southern New England Conference of the UCC has put together a good collection of coronavirus-related information and links at: https://www.sneucc.org/coronavirus I recommend you check it out, since there are too many places where we can tread into misinformation.