UUCC staff received the following message with recommendations from leadership of the UUA Central East Region on March 12, 2020.
From: Megan Foley, UUA Central East Region Lead
To: Northern VA, Greater Baltimore, and Capital Cluster UU Leadership
Subject: UUA Recommendations About Closing
March 12, 2020
Dearest of people,
I know there are countless conversations happening amongst you as I write about how to handle this weekend’s congregational operations. The UUA now advises that communities in places with COVID19 outbreaks cancel gatherings of 25 people or larger. I am also convinced by articles like this one in The Atlantic that advise us to close everything down earlier rather than later to avoid a rapid spread of this disease. I’m going to use my typically more direct language and recommend that congregations in the broader DC area consider not holding gatherings over 25 people this weekend if possible.
The UUA is committed to continuing to pay our hourly employees while HQ is closed, and I encourage you to do likewise if your sextons, child care providers and other hourly employees are affected by a closure. This is a good way to take care of our community in this challenging time.
You will receive numerous other outreaches with links to resources from various parts of the UUA in the weeks to come. We are adding to these resources hourly. Feel free to also reach out to me to connect you to things you need. We’ll all take care of each other in lots of ways.
Don’t forget to breathe!
Rev. Megan Foley
Regional Lead – Central East Region