The COVID Advisory Group met 10/11/21, and protocols for New Garden Friends Meeting will remain the same for the next month. Specifically, we will continue semi-programmed Meeting for Worship (MFW) outdoors and/or by Zoom and Facebook Live. Friends will be notified if weather does not permit in-person outdoor worship. Unprogrammed MFW may take place outdoors or indoors, in accordance with current masking and distancing protocols. Other small group meeting indoors at the Meeting House may take place by reservation (email: [email protected]). Our next meeting of the COVID Medical Advisory Group will be held November 8, 2021 so if you have any COVID questions or concerns that you would like addressed please contact Janie Foy, Jennifer Schaal, or Kat Rice prior to that meeting.
The NC Dashboard managed by the NC department of Health shows a nice decline in cases of COVID (down about 80% in the last month) and hospitalizations (down by about 50% in the last month). Statewide, 28% of persons hospitalized with COVID are in ICU beds. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that as of 10/14//21 children represented 25.5% of total cases nationwide and 2-4% of hospitalizations. The NC total population, fully vaccinated rate inched up to 55%. Nationwide the fully vaccinated rate of children ages 12-17 is reported to be 47%.
The City of Greensboro continues to mandate masks indoors at city facilities regardless of vaccination status. Governor Cooper has been recommending continuation of mask use in schools, but each local school board is deciding now on a monthly basis whether to continue these requirements, due to a new state law requiring this. At least one NC county school board has now rescinded a mask mandate that was previously in place.
Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect against COVID infections. For those who completed the initial series of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines at least 6 months ago, the CDC now recommends a booster shot for people 65 years and older and for people 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings, who have underlying medical conditions, who work in high-risk settings, and who live in high-risk settings. Pfizer has presented data to the FDA in support of authorizing vaccinations for children in the 5-11 age grouping, and this will be considered later in October, however it is not known how and where these doses would be delivered. An FDA panel was in agreement with booster doses for adults who received the initial series of Moderna and J & J vaccines after an interval of at least 6 months; targeted groups will be the same as those who have been recommended to receive the Pfizer booster. The CDC is to meet this week to discuss it’s corresponding recommendation. Vaccinations are continuing to be shown effective in decreasing illness and hospitalization in persons who are getting breakthrough cases of COVID after vaccination. Masking continues to be a good option to increase safety in moderate or large groups outdoors and in indoor public settings. Given the continuation of high spread of COVID in our county, be sure to be tested if you have had a significant exposure or develop COVID symptoms. Those with conditions weakening their immune systems are encouraged not to relax their vigilance in avoiding infections, even if vaccinated, as demonstrated by Colin Powell’s recent death.
Vaccine options for initial vaccine or for boosters remain much the same as in the last few months. They are still available through the Cone and Healthy Guilford web sites (they are requesting appointments be made but a few walk-in appointments are available), at community vaccination clinics, in home for those who are unable to attend a vaccination site, in pharmacies and in some doctors’ offices.