COVID-19

Updated as of 02/27/2022


We find ourselves in an unprecedented time that is unfortunately dominated by a worldwide pandemic. In order to best protect other members and visitors to our church, we are following the recommendations set by the CDC. Please note that these recommendations are a moving target and are subject to change as new information becomes available.

 

The CDC recommendations can be found here and are reflected in the details on this webpage.

What is Midtown currently doing to keep us safe?

While we remain open for weekly Sunday worship to all who desire to attend in person, we also stream the service live on Facebook for anyone who would feel more comfortable attending virtually or who is unable to attend in person. Additionally, audio recordings are available for all sermons and adult education classes on our website. Multiple hand sanitizer stations are set up throughout the church. Masks are not required to attend, although members and visitors are encouraged to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable.

 

All volunteers working with Midtown Kids are required to wear masks in the classrooms to protect our children. 

Frequently asked questions

Someone in your household (including yourself) has been exposed to COVID-19 - now what should you do?


Click Here for a quarantine flowchart


You've developed COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive - now what should you do?


click here for an isolation flowchart


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What counts as a COVID exposure? Close contact (within 6 feet) of someone with confirmed or highly suspected COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes within a 24 hour period.

 

Who is considered up-to-date on their vaccinations? 

  * Pfizer or Moderna vaccine: completed 2-dose primary series AND booster, or completed 2-dose series within last 6 months

  * Johnson & Johnson vaccine: completed 1-dose primary series AND Pfizer/Moderna booster, or completed primary series within the last 2 months.

 

What are COVID symptoms? A non-exhaustive list includes cough, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher), headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, body/muscle aches, and loss of taste and smell. If any of these symptoms occur without a clearly attributable source, you should consider getting tested, quarantining, and/or consulting your doctor.

 

How is quarantine different from isolation? Someone who has known or suspected COVID-19 should avoid going out in public, referred to as isolation. Someone who has had a close contact with COVID but is currently asymptomatic should quarantine, which also involves avoiding going out in public. Ultimately, the terms refer to different situations but are similar in outcome.

 

How long do I have to quarantine? As long as you remain asymptomatic, you can end your quarantine after 10 days following your last exposure. The quarantine can be further shortened by a negative COVID test, administered no sooner than 5 days following last exposure.

 

How long do I have to isolate? Isolation can end after five days if symptoms are improving (other than loss of taste and smell, which may linger for weeks or months) and you have been fever-free for 24 hours). An antigen test is recommended at that time, but is not required. When exiting isolation, you must wear a mask in public until at least day 10. 


What kind of mask should I wear? While any kind of mask is likely better than no mask, the CDC specifically recommends a "well-fitted" mask such as an N95, KN95, KN94, etc. due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant. This is particularly important when wearing a mask during the "probation" period of quarantine or isolation. As a general rule, high-filtration masks are better than surgical (disposable) masks, which in turn are better than cloth masks. 

Sample situations

I am a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and I’m up-to-date on my COVID-19 vaccinations*.

* See "Who is considered up-to-date on their vaccinations" above in Frequently Asked Questions

According to the CDC, you do NOT have to quarantine if you’ve had a COVID exposure as long as you remain asymptomatic. You should continue to wear a well-fitted mask for at least 10 days when in public. Additionally, you should get tested no sooner than five days after your exposure.


I have COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative.

I have COVID-19 symptoms but had a COVID-19 infection within the last 90 days (confirmed via test).

You do not need to quarantine or isolate. However, it is recommended that you wear a face mask in public for the benefit of your neighbors while symptoms persist. 


I am a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and I’m not up-to-date on my vaccinations.

* See "Who is considered up-to-date on their vaccinations" above in Frequently Asked Questions

In accordance with the CDC’s guidelines on quarantining, we request that you please refrain from attending in-person events including corporate worship and community groups for 10 days following the exposure. Alternatively, this quarantine can be shortened if you test negative for COVID-19 (this test should be collected no earlier than 5 days following your exposure).

 

Someone living with me has COVID-19 and I am not up-to-date on my vaccinations*.

* See "Who is considered up-to-date on their vaccinations" above in Frequently Asked Questions

As above, please quarantine following last exposure to infected person. The last exposure in this situation would be the final day of the infected person’s isolation. For example, if your loved one developed COVID symptoms on the first of the month, their isolation would finish on day 5 (provided symptoms are improving, as above) and your quarantine would end on day 15. As before, the quarantine can be ended earlier following a negative test administered at least 5 days following last exposure (day 10 in this example). 


I have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been diagnosed in another fashion by a medical professional.

Please isolate yourself from others for at least five  days following the beginning of your symptoms. During this time we ask that you avoid attending Sunday worship, community groups, or other in-person events. You may resume in-person gatherings after five days following initial symptoms provided your symptoms are improving (or have resolved) and you have not had a fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher) for 24 hours. Getting tested again at that time is recommended but not required. Please continue to wear a mask in public until at least day 10. 


I or another member of my household has COVID-19. Can my child come to Midtown Kids?

If your child is not fully vaccinated (see Frequently Asked Questions), we ask that they stay home and quarantine as per the standard protocol detailed above.


Someone living with me was exposed to COVID-19. Do I need to quarantine?

The person who was exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine according to the guidelines detailed above. However, you yourself do not need to quarantine unless exposed person develops symptoms or tests positive.