Latest Updates for Omicron

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UPDATE 2/20/2022: We are pleased to be offering Coffee and Conversations once again, in Nathan Johnson Hall after each Sunday service ! Small groups meeting at UUC are welcome to bring their own refreshments once more, and to enjoy potlucks with one another again in the Church building. Please note that masks are still required by UUC while indoors – lift your mask briefly to take a bite or sip, and replace it over nose and mouth right away.

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On December 20, we announced that UUC was suspending food & beverage service and consumption indoors, given concerns that the omicron variant was contributing to a rapidly emerging spike in local COVID cases.

As we see this spike playing out – along with cases of flu – we are continuing this suspension until further notice. This halts Sunday “Coffee and Conversations,” as well as refreshments or potlucks at small group meetings at UUC throughout the week.

UUC continues to require “fully vaccinated” status and proof of vaccination to enter the building. An exception is for children under age 5 who will be cared for in the Children’s Suite and are taken directly to that space (upstairs) upon entering.

  • At this time we are maintaining the definition of “fully vaccinated” as having received both mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or the single shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to attending activities at UUC. We are watching carefully the experience of jurisdictions that are beginning to require a booster to be considered fully vaccinated, and awaiting advice of public health authorities before implementing such a change at UUC.
  • If you are feeling ill or have any symptoms common to COVID or flu, please stay home.

We strongly encourage:

  • Eligible adults, youth and children to complete COVID vaccinations and boosters as soon as possible. Those who are eligible for boosters but have not yet received them should consider staying home.
  • Everyone age 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine.
  • Everyone to be scrupulous about properly wearing facemasks, especially in settings where vaccination status is mixed or unknown.
  • Upgrading facemasks to provide greater protection, such as a KN95 or N95, or a disposable surgical mask and a cloth mask.

UUC’s other pandemic protocols remain in place as well: Suspending congregational singing, encouraging distancing and hand hygiene, and offering excellent indoor ventilation.

We all know the limitations imposed by COVID safety guidelines are difficult to maintain for so long. May the coming weeks bring us fully together again, sharing meals and coffee and spontaneous conversations with one another, hugging again, and singing out together in joy—and may it be soon!

From all of us at UUC, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy New Year! Thank you for all you are doing to protect your health and the health of the community.