Alka's Angle July 30, 2021

As you all know, the number of infections have begun to rise in our state, and even though vaccinated people are safer, I am hearing they may still carry the virus, which will definitely pose a problem for unvaccinated folk. Not knowing or wanting to ask anyone if they are vaccinated, I am sure you would join me in not wanting to put any unvaccinated person at risk. CDC has also suggested for vaccinated people to remain masked indoors, test if exposed, and quarantine if diagnosed positive.

According to IDPH reports, Chicago is seeing a 7 day average of about 249 cases per day, as of July 26. Experts believe that Chicago may have reached a point where COVID restriction could return, including a mask mandate.

With all these developments I feel it is best that we continue worshipping virtually a little longer than open and risk our vulnerable population. However, I do understand that folk desire to see one another and meet. Keeping that in mind we decided that we will proceed as planned to have a picnic/potluck on Sunday, August 1st. So if you were planning on joining for the picnic, you are welcome to come to the church yard around 12:30pm on Sunday, August 1st. 

With the rising numbers, we don't know what September will look like, so it is too early for us to say anything about our future plans, but we will definitely keep you posted.

And while I really do not intend for us to judge anyone because we do not people’s reasons for not getting vaccinated (I know some believe they can’t be vaccinated for other health concerns) but I hope we can encourage those who have made a choice to not get a vaccine -- because the vaccine did not have enough time to be tested, or because they don’t like to be poked, or because they are fearful of the possible side effects. I hope we can find a way to help them understand that the consequences of not being vaccinated and catching the Delta variant are far greater than the possible side-effects of COVID vaccine. I hope we can help people understand that by not getting vaccinated we are giving the virus a higher probability to mutate itself into possible deadlier variants. I will try to do that. I hope you will too!