“Shared expectations lead to predictability.”
- Isolation while recovering from COVID-19
Q: Someone close to me is recovering from COVID-19. How long should she remain in isolation?
A: On May 24, the CDC released the following guidance:
If you think or know you have had COVID-19. You should remain isolated to prevent infecting others. You no longer need to stay in isolation after:
- If you think or know you had COVID-19:
- 3 days with no fever, AND
- Symptoms have improved, AND
- 10 days after symptoms first appeared.
- If you tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms:
- 10 days after the test was taken
- If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medication, you may need to stay home longer than 10 days:
- Contact your physician for guidance,
- Be tested to see if you are infected with coronavirus-19.
- If anyone has been around another person who has COVID-19:
- Remain isolated for 14 days after exposure.
- Antibody Testing and Immunity
Q: I have tested positive for having antibodies from COVID-19. Do I have immunity?
A: Be careful! You should not assume you are immune from becoming infected in the future. As previously discussed, the existing serum or antibody testing has a significant number of false positives – positive results when in fact there are no antibodies. On May 24, the CDC published interim guidelines for COVID-19 testing.
Strategies are outlined for using tests that have a lower number of false positive results, testing in ways that lower the number of these unreliable findings, and making better assumptions on interpreting the results. It is also noted that the correlation between the presence of antibodies and immunity has not yet been established.
As a result, recommendations are made for persons who test positive for COVID-19 antibodies:
- It cannot be assumed that individuals with truly positive antibody test results are protected from future infection.
- Asymptomatic persons who test positive by serologic testing and who are without recent history of COVID-19 have a low likelihood of active infection, and should follow previous guidelines including hand washing, social distancing and wearing face cloths.
- People who have had a confirmed case should also follow previous guidance.
- For health care workers and first responders ho test positive for COVID-19 antibodies, there should be no change in clinical practice including the use of PPE.
- Further evaluation of how COVID-19 spreads
Q: Is there any new information on how this disease spreads?
A: On May 21, the CDC updated its analysis on how the corocnavirus-19 spreads.
This analysis stresses the importance of direct person-to-person transfer.
- Between people who are in close contact with each other – within 6 feet
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks
- These droplets can land in the mouths, or noses of people nearby.
- COVID-19 may be spread by people not showing any symptoms.
It is possible that by touching a surface that has the virus on it then touching the face, COVID-19 can be transferred. But this appears a less likely way to contact the disease. Hand washing and avoiding touching one’s face remain recommendations while this is being further studied.
The risk of spreading the disease from animals to people remains very low. There have been documented a few cases where animals (pets) have caught a COVID-19-like disease from a person.
- CDC Guidelines on Religion
Q. Connecticut is now allowing religious services to be held. What CDC guidelines apply before we can even think about having in-person services at the meeting house?
A: In addition to guidelines issued by the State of Connecticut, there are two other guidelines that apply. The CDC “interim Guidance for Communities of Faith” was issued on May 23. It includes following all state and guidelines, which are in place. It also suggests requiring all other organizations that may use the facilities to comply as well, and for any religious education and social group activities to follow related CDC guidelines (e.g., for schools) as well. It is stressed that consideration must be given to protect staff and congregants at higher risk for severe illness (including older adults and people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions).
A long list of topics is covered under safety actions, including washing hands, social distancing, cloth face coverings, and frequent disinfection of surfaces. One mitigation step of interest is to limit community sharing of worship materials and other items. This includes hymnals, collection baskets and having pre-packaged foods during social periods.
A warning of sorts is issued at the end: “In the event a person diagnosed with COVID-19 is determined to have been in the building and poses a risk to the community, it is strongly suggested to dismiss attendees, then properly clean and disinfect the area and the building where the individual was present before resuming activities.”
The national Unitarian Universalist Association, anticipating these CDC guidelines, has recently released a 7-page document “UUA Guidance on Gathering In-Person when COVID-19 Subsides.” All of the above-described CDC guidelines are included, as is a more thorough presentation of considerations for us to consider. The Policy Board is developing our approach to this issue. Everyone should look forward to learning about, and participating in our future decisions. But everyone should remain patient so care and consideration of safety remains the highest priority.
As often stated before:
“It’s better to be patient than be a patient!”
