Dear Parish Family,
As you have likely seen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued revised recommendations on Tuesday afternoon, July 27, in response to growing concerns about the rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
The CDC now recommends that everyone -- regardless of vaccination status -- wear masks indoors in public places in areas with "high" or "substantial" COVID-19 transmission rates.
On Wednesday, July 28, Loudoun County moved into the "substantial" category. You can find the Loudoun County rate here.
Loudoun is now averaging about 30 cases per day, up from about four cases per day in June. At the same time, the county's percent positivity rate has increased from less than 1% to over 3% over the past few weeks.
So, in keeping with Bishop Goff's and the CDC's recommendations:
- Beginning Friday, July 30, St. James' will require all persons, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to wear masks during worship, education, formation, outreach, fellowship and any other indoor group gathering.
- Also, for the time being, the choirs and congregation will not be singing.
These changes in CDC and Diocesan recommendations, and in our practices, are the result of what we are learning about the Delta variant of the virus, which is clearly more transmissible than previous variants. There is also evidence that vaccinated people can contract and spread the Delta variant, whether they have symptoms or not. Wearing masks protects the wearer as it protects others.
In addition, we encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated, unless for medical purposes, to get the vaccine. If you are vulnerable or who have children under the age of 12 or other vulnerable persons at home, we encourage you to wear a mask in every indoor public setting, whether you are vaccinated or not.
I am sorry to send you this sad, but necessary, message.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Earl +
