Dear Siblings in Christ,
Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!
As you know, early last week, the CDC revised its protocol regarding mask wearing, due to the increased infection rate, even among the fully vaccinated, because of the COVID-19 Delta variant. These revisions apply for indoor gatherings specifically.
Also on Monday, the Mayo Clinic News Network recorded a podcast with Dr. Greg Poland addressing these very concerns as well. Even though the podcast is somewhat long, I encourage our clergy and lay leaders to watch it because he addresses a number of concerns that apply to each of us and our faith communities. It is important to remember that the variants of the COVID-19 virus behave in such a way that we need to continually adapt our behavior given each variant's virulence. It is not like an off and on switch but more like a rheostat...modulating our protocols to address each context.
Also included in the email is a ZOOM conversation I had with Dean Brian Grantz which serves as a personal testimony from someone who was fully vaccinated yet became sick with COVID-19.
We have also included a link to the most recent CDC guidelines and a link to the Indiana Coronavirus Dashboard.
Please consult these resources as you seek to adapt, in your particular context, to keeping everyone safe and well, especially the youngest among us and those adults who are not able to receive the vaccine for other health reasons.
I have decided to wear a mask inside any building I enter when there are other persons present in order to keep others from catching COVID-19 from me.
Thank you for your ongoing care for one another.
You remain in prayer daily.
Doug
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
