Many friends joined our discussion at the rise of Meeting for Worship last Sunday to decide on further steps to open the Meeting House to in-person worship. The agenda for that meeting is attached, including recommendations of the COVID Medical Advisory Group for keeping us all safe as we move into the next phase and 3 options to consider for programmed Meeting for Worship, going forward. The feedback was quite helpful and the advisory group is convening again to finalize recommendations for programmed Meeting for Worship. For now, committees and other small groups that want to meet in person outdoors should contact Janie, Kat or Jennifer.
Friends are advised that NGFM is going to continue to host outdoors in-person unprogrammed worship, weather permitting. All who attend must bring their own chairs (though a few folding chairs are available) and are asked to wear a mask, physically distance, and use proper hand sanitation practices. Rest rooms near the fellowship hall may be used if needed, one individual or family group at a time. Unprogrammed MFW will occur Sundays between 9 and 9:45 am. Adult forum will now start at 10:00 am.
Cases of COVID and hospitalizations in NC have continued to decline this week. Vaccinations are ongoing but with lower numbers of vaccines being given than previously. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the FDA for use in 12-15 year olds, and is now available for this use. Find CDC guidelines for appropriate behavior to minimize transmission of COVID infections https://tinyurl.com/w6th6fn4
Please see the chart sent as attachment to the newsletter about activities deemed safe by the CDC for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. Friends are encouraged to read these guidelines to help them decide what activities are appropriate for each family group. Friends are further advised that there are still some circulating cases of COVID. Especially those with potentially
immuno-compromising conditions should check with their health care advisors regarding their individual risks. Symptomatic (cough, fever, shortness of breath) persons still need to be tested and treated regardless of vaccination status.
Cone Health continues to vaccinate 16 year olds and up at their vaccination sites. This can be done with an appointment though walk in vaccinations will be also be given. Appointments are still preferred. Those who walk in need to show up at least 2 hours prior to clinic closure for the day. They are also now vaccinating 12-15 year olds. As of today they have vaccine appointments available . Cone is additionally doing some vaccination clinics at high school locations. They have Moderna and Pzifer vaccines depending on what site you sign up for. The Cone Health web site https://tinyurl.com/d7ueuj4u Appointments can also be made by phone at 336-890-1188 Monday through Fridays 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Guilford County sign ups may be done at www.healthyguilford.com (Email address required) or by phone 336-641-7944, option 2. Phone appointments must be made 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They have Pfizer and J & J vaccines and a person may choose which vaccine they sign up for. Group appointments can now be scheduled. The vaccination sites still include Mount Zion Baptist Church, High Point Community University Center and Greensboro Coliseum. People can subscribe to updates about vaccine availability and appointment openings from the Guilford Health Department by texting GC19 (or GC19S for Spanish) to 888777. They are now also doing walk-in appointments and they have another organization on their web site named Star Med which is giving all three vaccinations at a few different sites. Their phone number is 980-445-9818.
The Four Seasons Mall site is also delivering vaccinations for walk in and drive up vaccines, they will be operating through MAY 27 according to their web site. They are still scheduling appointments as well at GSOmassvax.org. They are offering the Pfizer (2 dose ) or the J & J (one dose) vaccines, depending on patient preference. They specifically mention giving vaccinations to those 12 and older at their site.
Pharmacy supplies of vaccine can still be found at https://vaccinefinder.org including for persons 12 and older. Walgreens and CVS will let you sign up for a vaccine at Walgreens.com or CVS.com after setting up an account with them. Other pharmacies have similar sign up opportunities.
The NC site which helps persons find a vaccination site is https://myspot.nc.gov/. This site will also show you where vaccines are available close to your zip code. NC has said all groups are now eligible , including those age 12 and older ,for vaccine. There is also a hotline for help/questions which is 888-675-4567.