CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) provides the best practices and guidelines to continue serving society while keeping a check on everyone’s hygiene. Currently, one of the biggest challenges for CDC is to ensure the safety of people embracing different religions.
Despite COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans gather at one place for their respective religious practices and prayers. In this scenario, the CDC offers guidelines to preserve each one’s health without hampering their worshipping practices.
FBCI sees that the guidelines do not interfere with the RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993), the individual’s rights protection by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or any federal or state law.
These considerations are proposed with the intent of controlling the spread of deadly viruses and infections.
Here is what our Faith Based Cause Initiative team found out about the CDC considerations.
Encourage healthy practices –
- Promote the habit of washing hands, using sanitizers, disinfectants regularly. Make sure to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep a stock of healthy hygiene supplies like – hand sanitizers, tissues, disinfectants, soap, wet wipes, etc.
- FBCI suggests covering sneezes and coughs either with a tissue or elbows. Avoid covering or touching face with bare hands. And if done, wash your hands immediately.
- Prefer cleaning your hands with soap and water. If not available, go for sanitizers with 60% of alcohol amount.
- Wear 2 or 3 layered masks while maintaining a social distancing. Make sure not to share or replace masks with anyone. When using disposable masks, put them in a plastic or any disposable bag before disposing off.
Intensify cleaning measures-
- Pay detailed attention to cleaning or disinfecting each surface, whether in home, office or public places.
- Use cleaning agents like disinfectants carefully and do not keep them in reach of children.
- Develop a habit of disinfecting your place at least twice a day.
- If your worship/faith community offers you the flexibility to schedule different slots, visit in batches to avoid social contact.
Note – If you show mild or any symptoms of cough, cold or fever, FBCI suggests to undergo the COVID-19 test immediately.
Conclusion –
Faith community practices are important but let’s not let it cost someone’s life. Faith Based Cause Initiative suggests to maintain adequate social distancing, follow all hygiene norms, and keep a check on your health to avoid being in contact with COVID-19.