January Shutdown Notice
No in-person services from November 26 to January 16
* Dates have been extended as of 12.16.20. Dates may change as we continue to monitor the current pandemic situation in our community.
Because we care for you and your household, your health, and your ability to keep working — and in light of the current steady increase in cases of Covid-19 throughout our area and the nation — the White Horse pastors have decided to shut down in-person services, beginning Sunday, November 29, until Saturday, January 16. We will meet again on Sunday, January 17.
You have been very good about wearing masks, social distancing, staying away when sick, and quarantining when exposed. Thank you!
We do have several within our church family who now have, or have had, the virus, and many others who are quarantined because of exposure – most of them at work. None of them were exposed while at church, thankfully, and our intention is to continue maintaining a safe environment in which to worship. Our church family has been very good about calling, asking questions, and getting information on what to do when exposed. Go to our website: whcc.net and click on the red banner at the top of the page for updated CDC information.
The Thanksgiving holiday is sure to bring about an increase in exposures to the virus as people gather. We want you to safely enjoy the holiday! Our concern for your overall health is why we have decided to have virtual, livestreamed services only until January 17. Let this heightened season pass before we come back together safely. Our website has links to celebrate Thanksgiving safely.
Livestreamed Services will be:
· Sunday, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, & 27, Jan. 3 & 10 at 10 AM and 6 PM
· Monday Night Prayer, Nov. 30, Dec 7, 14, 21, Jan. 4 & 11 at 7 PM with WHCC pastors only
· Wednesday Night, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, Jan. 6 & 13 at 7 PM
· Thursday Night Spanish Service, Dec. 3, 10, & Jan. 7 & 14 at 7 PM
We will come back together on January 17 for our 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM services. In preparation for our Virtual Christmas service, we will be distributing candles, communion elements, and information about our “Virtual Christmas Encore – Repeat the Sounding Joy!” at the offices of WHCC. You may stop by the church during business hours (9-5) anytime beginning Thursday, Dec.10. In the entryway will be tables where you may pick up packages of candles, communion, and a Christmas ornament for children under 18.
This livestream-only media Christmas presentation will be aired on Sunday, December 20 at 6:00 PM EST. It will include a few of our past years’ Christmas celebration special songs, dances, and skits – precious memories you’ll enjoy. At the end, you may join us in your homes with candle lighting and singing Silent Night. You may choose to receive communion together with your family, as well.
We encourage you during this two-week season to call, text, send cards – safely stay in contact with those you love. There are so many ways to reach out and encourage one another without face-to-face contact. Don’t lose heart! Don’t disconnect! Don’t become weary in well doing. DO trust the Lord and rejoice in His faithfulness! And be encouraged!
Visit our website whcc.net for up to date information, links, and resources for a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Covid-19 Incubation Timeline - Read more information about the COVID-19 incubation period for up to 14 days.
CDC References & Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html
When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
+ I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms
You can be around others after:
- 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
- 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation
Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
Note that these recommendations do not apply to persons with severe COVID-19 or with severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). These persons should follow the guidance below for “I was severely ill with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication. When can I be around others?”
+ I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms
If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since you had a positive viral test for COVID-19. Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms.”
+ I was severely ill with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication. When can I be around others?
People who are severely ill with COVID-19 might need to stay home longer than 10 days and up to 20 days after symptoms first appeared. Persons who are severely immunocompromised may require testing to determine when they can be around others. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. If testing is available in your community, it may be recommended by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you can resume being around other people based on the results of your testing.
Your doctor may work with an infectious disease expert or your local health department to determine whether testing will be necessary before you can be around others.
+ For Anyone Who Has Been Around a Person with COVID-19
Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person. However, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home.
- Has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and
- Has recovered and
- Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)
+ Confirmed and suspected cases of reinfection of the virus that causes COVID-19
Cases of reinfection of COVID-19 have been reported but are rare. In general, reinfection means a person was infected (got sick) once, recovered, and then later became infected again. Based on what we know from similar viruses, some reinfections are expected.
SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html
+ Definition of CLOSE CONTACT according to CDC
Close Contact
Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
*Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Data are limited, making it difficult to precisely define “close contact;” however, 15 cumulative minutes of exposure at a distance of 6 feet or less can be used as an operational definition for contact investigation. Factors to consider when defining close contact include proximity (closer distance likely increases exposure risk), the duration of exposure (longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk), whether the infected individual has symptoms (the period around onset of symptoms is associated with the highest levels of viral shedding), if the infected person was likely to generate respiratory aerosols (e.g., was coughing, singing, shouting), and other environmental factors (crowding, adequacy of ventilation, whether exposure was indoors or outdoors). Because the general public has not received training on proper selection and use of respiratory PPE, such as an N95, the determination of close contact should generally be made irrespective of whether the contact was wearing respiratory PPE. At this time, differential determination of close contact for those using fabric face coverings is not recommended.
+ Should a patient be retested after testing positive?
Once a patient tests positive for COVID, the CDC does not recommend retesting that patient. Some people do not clear the virus particles and will continue to test positive even though they are not infectious. The CDC further states immunocompetent people are no longer contagious 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Also, if a person has symptoms of Covid who earlier in the year had confirmed Covid, the recommendation to test would be only if the original infection was more than 90 days ago. If less than 90 days, a positive could be from the old infection and not contributing to the current symptoms.
SOURCE: https://www.mymhp.org/news-media/2020/november/covid-10-update-11-2-2020/
(Major Health Partners / Shelbyville, IN – via Kyrie Mullen, LPN)