Dear St. Andrew Congregation,

In careful consideration of the latest guidelines from King County Public Health, it was decided on Wednesday, March 18 to request that Manatial de Vida (MdV) discontinue use of the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church building until King County revises their recommendations around social distancing.

MdV was the only group continuing to use the Church facility after Session's March 9th decision to suspend St. Andrew's corporate worship and the Outbreak Task Force's March 11th decision to prohibit use by outside groups. Because of their unique status as a tenant during the time of less stringent social distancing requirements, the Task Force allowed Manatial to make their own decision regarding use of the Church after Pastor Scott presented them with the news of St. Andrew's suspension.

Federal guidance now suggests the suspension of organized gatherings, and on March 16, 2020, King County Public Health issued emergency orders designed to minimize the health impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19). These orders state the following:

• Prohibit all large gatherings of more than 50 people.
• Prohibit gatherings of less than 50 people, unless event organizers take steps to minimize risk.
  
  

If your gathering, event, or service will draw MORE than 50 people, it may not proceed. If it has LESS than 50 people, you MUST take all the following steps to minimize risk. If you cannot take the following steps, then the event is prohibited by the Health Order.

King County clearly outlines these steps, which can be read by accessing this link.  

Because St. Andrew is not in a position to ensure that another group using the Church would be able to strictly comply with these required steps (nor can we monitor compliance), the responsible course of action is to close the Church.

The Task Force is also encouraging the Golden Hammer and Saw Team to suspend their activities to the extent possible; however, St. Andrew will remain accessible for administrative work that can be completed while in compliance with King County's emergency orders.


Yours faithfully,
 

Andrea Shirey and Teresa Platin, Co-Chairs
The St. Andrew Outbreak Task Force

Beloved St. Andrew Community,

During the COVID-19 outbreak, we urge St. Andrew members, family, and friends to follow the guidance from public health agencies and medical professionals.  We suggest that everyone, especially older people and those with underlying health conditions, go beyond the precautions advised when it may help them avoid infection and reduce the rate and intensity of community spread.    

It is believed that the virus is mainly spread by droplets from an infected person’s lungs that go into the air as they cough or sneeze.  It also spreads when you touch a surface with the virus on it and then touch your own face.  

• Keep a distance of at least six feet from all people that you do not live with, even if you don’t think they are ill.  
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Stay home as much as you can, but feel free to get outside in uncrowded places.  
• Stay informed and follow any new precautions advised by medical agencies or professionals.  

 St. Andrew is providing ways for worshipping together and being in touch with each other even while physically separated.  You do not have to choose between your health and your connection with our faith community.  The Pastors and Deacons are available to help you and your family with whatever needs you may have.   In the weeks and months ahead St. Andrew will be looking for new and better ways to reach out to you and support you through this difficult but temporary situation.  The Task Force welcomes your thoughts and ideas.      

​Some useful links:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 page
King County Public Health
World Health Organization (WHO)

Administrative Commission Co-chairs, 
Teresa Platin 425-830-0971 
Andrea Shirey 425-529-6690 

The following is a post from Asaf Bitton MD, MPH, Executive Director of Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:

I know there is some confusion about what to do next in the midst of this unprecedented time of a pandemic, school closures, and widespread social disruption. I have been asked by a lot of people for my opinion, and I will provide it below based on the best information available to me today. This is my personal and well-informed opinion, and my take on the necessary steps ahead.
What I can say as a physician and public health leader, is that what we do, or don't do, over the next week will have a massive impact on the local and perhaps national trajectory of coronavirus. We are only about 11 days behind Italy and generally on track to repeat what is unfortunately happening there, as well as much of the rest of Europe very soon. At this point, containment through contact tracing and testing is only part of the necessary strategy. We must move to pandemic mitigation through widespread, uncomfortable, and comprehensive social distancing. That means not only shutting down schools, work (as much as possible), group gatherings, and public events. It also means making daily choices to stay away from each other as much as possible to Flatten The Curve.

Our health system will not be able to cope with the projected numbers of people who will need acute care should we not muster the fortitude and will to socially distance each other starting now. On a regular day, we have about 45k ICU beds nationally, which can be ramped up in a crisis to about 93k. Even moderate projections suggest that if current infectious trends hold, our capacity (locally and nationally) may be overwhelmed as early as mid-late April. Thus, the only set of interlinked strategies that can get us off this concerning trajectory is to work together as a community to maintain public health by staying apart.
The wisdom, and necessity, of this more aggressive, early, and extreme form of social distancing can be found here. I would urge you to take a minute walking through the interactive graphs - they will drive home the point about what we need to do now to avoid a worse crisis later.
So what does this enhanced form of social distancing mean on a daily basis, when schools are cancelled?
I can suggest the following:

1. No playdates, parties, sleepovers, or families visiting each other's houses. This sounds extreme because it is. We are trying to create distance between family units and between individuals across those family units. It is uncomfortable, especially for families with small children or for kids who love to play with their friends. But even if you choose only one friend to have over, you are creating new links and possibilities for the type of transmission that all of our school/work/public event closures are trying to prevent. The symptoms of coronavirus take 4-5 days to manifest themselves. Someone who comes over looking well can transmit the virus. Sharing food is particularly risky - I definitely do not recommend that people do so outside of their family. We have already taken extreme social measures to address this serious disease - let's not actively co-opt our efforts by having high levels of social interaction at people's houses instead of the schools. Again - the wisdom of early and aggressive social distancing is that it can flatten the curve above, give our health system a chance to not be overwhelmed, and eventually may reduce the length and need for longer periods of extreme social distancing later (see what has transpired in Italy and Wuhan). We need to all do our part during these times, even if it means some discomfort.
2. Take walks/runs outside, but maintain distance (ideally 6 feet between people outside your family). Try not to use public facilities like playground structures as coronavirus can live on plastic and metal for up to 3 days, and these structures aren't getting regularly cleaned. Try not to have physical contact with people outside of your family. Going outside will be important during these strange times, and the weather is improving. Go outside every day if you can but stay physically away from others. Try not to have kids play with each other (even outside) if that means direct physical contact. Even basketball or soccer involve direct contact and cannot be recommended. If people wish to go outside and have a picnic with other families, I strongly recommend keeping distance of at least 6 feet, not sharing any food at all, and not having direct physical contact. Invariably, that is hard with kids, so these shared, "distant" picnics may be tricky. Do not visit nursing homes or other areas where large numbers of the elderly reside, as they are at highest risk for complications and mortality from coronavirus. We need to find alternate ways to reduce social isolation in these communities through virtual means instead of physical in-person visits.
3. Reduce the frequency of going to stores/restaurants/coffee shops for the time being. Of course trips to the grocery store will be necessary, but try to limit them and go at times when less busy. Consider wearing gloves (not medical - but perhaps washable) and of course washing hands before and after really well. Leave the medical masks and gloves for the medical professionals - we need them. Maintain social distance from folks. Take-out meals and food are riskier than making food at home given the links between the people who prepare food, transport the food, and you. It is hard to know how much that risk is, but it is is certainly higher than making it at home.
4. If you are sick, definitely stay home and contact a medical professional. If you are sick, you should try isolate yourself from the rest of your family within your house as best as you can. If you have questions about whether you qualify or should get a coronavirus test, you can call you primary care team. Don't just walk into an ambulatory clinic - call first. Obviously if it is an emergency call 911.

I realize there is a lot built into these suggestions, and that they represent a real burden for many people, businesses, and communities. Social distancing is hard and may negatively impact others, especially those who face vulnerabilities in our society. I recognize that there is structural and social inequity built in and around social distancing recommendations. We can and must take steps to bolster our community response to people who face food insecurity, domestic violence, and housing challenges, along with the many other social inequities.

I also realize that not everyone can do everything. But we have to try our absolute best as a community, starting today. It is a public health imperative. If we don't do this now voluntarily, it will become necessary later involuntarily, when the potential benefits will be much less than doing so right now.

There's good information, and there's bad information, and then there's dangerous misinformation. In this tentative time, let's help each other stay current and informed, and far away from the urban legends and other hoaxes that always crop up in times of crisis. 

Here's a fun and informative rundown on some of the more popular myths about the novel coronavirus. Many of these "cures" or prophylactic treatments are being rapidly passed around on social media, and while most of them aren't particularly dangerous to do, the real threat comes from a false sense of security (e.g., staying hydrated during the day is good advice in any situation, particularly during flu season, but it won't affect the coronavirus).

From The Guardian, here's a good explanation on just how washing your hands with soap and water kills (or neutralizes, rather) the virus.

And a journalist describes her time in the middle of the SARS epidemic and the Ebola crisis of a few years ago, very interesting and informative. 

Stay safe! And let's be careful news consumers and help each other avoid misinformation whenever we can. We'll do our part!

Beloved St. Andrew Community, 

As you are aware, St. Andrew has suspended worship for at least the next two weeks.  We are committed to protecting our community and caring for each other physically and spiritually. 

The Session has formed a task force to guide St. Andrew as this situation develops.  As a team, we have been meeting daily to review the guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the King County and the Seattle Presbytery to make informed and deliberate decisions. 

With guidance from these officials and considerations of our values, we have decided to meet remotely over the next few Sundays.  Here is how we will serve our community: 

On Sunday morning, you will receive an email guide for worship.  We encourage you to gather as a family or small group to light a candle, pour some water, and hold this time as sacred.  While it is not intended to mimic our weekly gathering, it will help us continue to worship God and tether our community together.   

The staff of St Andrew is ready and excited to try different ways to celebrate as a community.  We have many ideas and will be adjusting based on feedback from the congregation, so please let us know your thoughts and extend grace as we try new things.  People without access to technology will receive written messages through the mail. 

The deacons and staff will continue to check in with our parishioners.  Any prayer requests should be submitted through deacons or to Pat Sharpe. These will go out, as usual through the weekly St. Andrew prayers email distribution list.  

We are a strong community.  We do better together. St. Andrew is encouraging people to practice “social distance,” not “spiritual isolation.”  If you are healthy and without risk factors, please continue to meet in small social groups. If you are 60 or over, are currently sick or if you have medical conditions, we strongly urge you to stay connected by phone or electronically rather than face-to-face to protect yourself and others. Reach out to the deacons, elders and staff if you are in need of prayers or have physical needs.  We have resources to give. 

​Administrative Commission Co-chairs, 
Teresa Platin 425-830-0971 
Andrea Shirey 425-529-6690 

Beloved St. Andrew Community,

The Session met on Monday evening and, after prayerfully identifying and weighing the many values we hold together in tension as a church, made two important decisions.

1. We decided to suspend our corporate Sunday worship services for at least the next two weeks and no longer than Palm Sunday (April 5), unless circumstances require a change.
2. We appointed and empowered an administrative commission to recommend and implement steps on our path forward in a way that upholds our values as a worshipping community during the time our Sunday, corporate worship is suspended. The commission members are Teresa Platin and Andrea Shirey (co-chairs), myself, Julie Kae Sigars, Amber Oakes, Pattie Holt, Dan Clawson, and Melet Whinston (on a volunteer basis for her medical expertise, knowing further qualified expertise may be required).

The group is representative of the session, deacons, and personnel committee. In addition, we are consulting with many others, so that we can quickly coordinate our actions and communication as we determine the way forward according to the values we named together as a session:

1. Being physically and emotionally connected.
2. Worshiping together regularly.
3. Predictability.
4. Stability.
5. Reasoned, fact-based responses.
6. Caution and care for the most vulnerable in our community and the broader community.
7. Sustainable practices that care for staff and volunteers.

These are challenging, anxious times, yet I am convinced there may be a potentially brilliant silver lining to this cloud. I believe the church is made for times just like this, and I look forward to the imaginative ways we will continue to hold one another as the Spirit of Life shows up in our midst. As the Samaritan woman is waiting to teach us this Sunday, with Jesus there is sustenance waiting for us we have yet to realize!

You will hear more in the next few days, but for now, we wanted to make you aware so you can plan accordingly.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Beloved ones:

I want to offer a brief follow-up to the communication sent out yesterday regarding COVID-19.

I want you to be aware of the current recommendations from King County Public Health, specifically the guidance for those who are considered higher risk:
 
Guidance for people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 Illness

Public Health recommends that people at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others. This includes concert venues, conventions, sporting events, and crowded social gatherings.

People at higher risk include people:

• Over 60 years of age
• With underlying health conditions including include heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
• With weakened immune systems
• Who are pregnant

Caregivers of children with underlying health conditions should consult with healthcare providers about whether their children should stay home. Anyone who has questions about whether their condition puts them at risk for novel coronavirus should consult with their healthcare providers.
 
I am aware that there can be subtle pressures, either internally, or externally imposed, that might lead us to unwise choices. I have in mind a pastor colleague in the area who, in weighing communication with the pastor’s congregation, said recently “I already know of at least 2 medically fragile, 80+ year-olds who would show up, even at the potential expense of their health.”

So I want you to hear, directly from me, if you are feeling symptoms or feeling vulnerable due to underlying health conditions or simply being in a higher risk group, we want to encourage you to stay comfortable at home. We will be together again soon enough!

If you are homebound or quarantined during this time and in need of support or meals, please contact your deacon or me so we can be of support to you.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

Beloved St. Andrew community,
 
We want you to be aware that St. Andrew is committed to being proactive, reasonable, and instructive as we respond to a complex and rapidly evolving situation around the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting infection, COVID-19 (from Corona Virus Disease 2019). The health and safety of our community and all of our partners who share the facility is paramount. Yet we also recognize that at the heart of our faith is life that is shared. We need to be together, even as we need to protect one another, and honor the choices of others—especially those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 and other corona viruses. We trust we all will refrain from making judgment or taking offense in this time of anxiety.

​Therefore, we do not anticipate “neglecting to meet together” (Hebrews 10:25), even as other organizations may choose to do so. At this point we plan to worship together weekly. We have and may cancel, reschedule or hold remotely other meetings. Exercising an abundance of caution, we have implemented additional preventative measures to reduce contamination and transmission, including these:

• We have temporarily contracted with Bounsy, our custodian, to add 30 minutes to each of the three days he works weekly, specifically to disinfect door handles, light switches, countertops and other frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• We have reached out to Manantial de Vida to communicate and coordinate our efforts.
• We have increased our diligence in cleaning the nursery, the kitchens, restrooms, and classrooms.
• We are taking extra precautions in preparing the communion elements and bringing them to the table.

We do encourage reasonable individual participation according to your best judgment. Among best practices for our concerns:

• If you are sick or think you may be infected, or if you have concerns, stay home.
• If you decide to stay home from worship or other events, please find ways to stay in touch. Reach out to one of the pastors, session members, or your deacon. We don’t want to create situations where those who are ill also feel lonely, isolated, or outcast. We want to pray for you and provide other forms of assistance and care as needed.
• Rather than use the water fountains, bring a filled reusable water bottle with you.
• During the passing of the peace, simply smile or bow or elbow touch or fist bump and share the peace without hugs or handshakes.
• When you come up for communion, rather than dip your bread in the common cup, take a pre-filled individual cup from the tray we are making available. Or come (with arms crossed across your chest) to receive a blessing instead.
• Come early, stay a little late, or volunteer an hour of your week to help us clean the kitchen, nursery, and other essential areas with extra care and diligence so we can maintain our commitment.

By now I trust you have been educating yourself on what we know and what we don’t know about the disease and best practices to prevent its spread. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that while the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low for the general public in the United States, current global circumstances suggest it is likely that this virus will continue to spread and more US cases will be identified.

According to the CDC, There is still much to learn about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Based on what is currently known, person-to-person contamination happens most frequently with close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of COVID-19 to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented, but current evidence suggests that the virus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.

The CDC recognizes preventing and mitigating an outbreak as the most important strategy and recommends these common preventative measures.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick and until you are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Above all, remember and rejoice that “nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Brief Statement of Faith; Romans 8:38-39).
​
Grace & Peace,
Scott