ASF COVID-19 Mass & Religious Education Restrictions

The federal government is sending four (4) free covid rapid tests to each home in the nation. No identification nor proof of residency is required.
Simply go to covidtests.gov (English) or covidtests.gov/es/ (Spanish) to place your free order.

From NMDOH - February 7, 2022:

Mail order free at-home COVID-19 tests for when you need them!

COVIDtests.gov: 4 free tests for every New Mexico household, shipped in 7-12 days.

Accesscovidtest.org: 5 free tests for New Mexico households in zip codes that may have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, shipped in 2-5 days.

Pick up a free at-home COVID-19 test in your community for when you need them!

Approximately 2 million free at-home COVID-19 tests are being distributed in New Mexico communities while supplies last. Visit FindaTestNM.org to find a location near you.

PCR laboratory testing locations for people experiencing symptoms: If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need a test now, you can also find a PCR laboratory test location near you at FindaTestNM.org.

For those without internet access, you can call the NMDOH hotline at 1-855-600-3455 to get assistance.

For more information, visit this link.

1. From this day forward, masks will be optional in church.  However, they remain strongly recommended, especially for those over 65, those with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus, those caring for persons in the previous two categories, and those who are unvaccinated.
2. Eucharistic Ministers must wear a mask while distributing Holy Communion.  They should also sanitize their hands just before distribution.
3. Choir members may sing without masks.  The limit of 8 to 10 choir members allowed to sing at Mass is no longer in force.  The other choir protocols (such as 3 to 4 feet for social distancing,  sterilization of the choir area, no sharing of music, the use of electronic tablets instead of paper music, and no sharing of paper music if used) are still advised.  The congregation is also allowed to sing.
4. The Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended.  There is no obligation to attend Sunday Mass in church until further notice.
5. Those whose age and/or medical condition render them more vulnerable to the virus are recommended to pray at home on Sunday, preferably taking advantage of live-streamed Masses.
6. The Catholic Schools Office has lifted the requirement to wear masks at school. The schools will continue to encourage safety protocols, such as covering mouth when coughing and sneezing, washing hands,  and continuing with the regular disinfecting of facilities. Parents have the option to have their children wear masks. Teachers and staff will also have the option to wear masks. In order to protect students and staff, those exhibiting symptoms will be sent home.
7. While there is a definite reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, we are still in a moment of transition and there is much that we do not know.  The faithful are strongly encouraged to observe those protocols that reduce the possibility of infection.  It is prudent to err on the side of caution and to be safe rather than sorry.  If you are sick, stay home!
8. Please continue to pray for those who have contracted the COVID-19 virus and pray for a swift end to the pandemic.

• Masks:  Optional.
• Social distancing:  Highly encouraged.
• Capacity restriction:  Recommended.
• Sanitizing shared surfaces:  Recommended.
• Singing:  Allowed.
• Office/parish staff:  Fully vaccinated or weekly testing.

The virus behaves according to standard microbiological processes:  the virus spreads through exhalations of airborne moisture from the infected to the inhalations of the non-infected.  Masks mitigate this to an extent (see LINK); this has been recognized for well over 100 years (including during the Spanish flu pandemic).  Incubation periods vary, and a person can be asymptomatic but very contagious, thus unwittingly endangering those with whom one comes in contact if standard precautions are not taken.

Vaccines, while not 100% effective, do appear to offer very significant protection from infection or mitigation of symptoms of the various variants, and all are encouraged to receive them.  Vaccination has been highly encouraged by the Holy Father, the USCCB and Archbishop John C. Wester.

FAQs
Q: Where’s the scientific study that says that allowing only the celebrant, lector and cantor to be unmasked makes us safer?  Don’t restrict our prayer and singing!
A:  It’s based on volume and exposure time—the same reason you won’t get as wet in a sprinkling than you would in a downpour.

Q:  If masks worked, we wouldn’t have the current situation.
A:  Masks work when used, even if not 100%; otherwise, why would surgeons, nurses, and dentists utilize them in normal times?  Also, one could argue that seatbelts don’t work since fatal accidents can occur.  The goal is to balance benefit with reasonable risks, aided by medical experts; it’s almost impossible to eliminate all risk and still allow people to live/worship, which is essential to their mental and spiritual health.

School officials also take note of the requirements in the latest health order to ensure compliance.

Restrictions may increase/decrease according to the situation.  Perhaps if all cooperate, we can minimize the duration of this surge with the fewest restrictions possible.  While many feel that wearing masks and restrictions are an annoyance, annoyance is better than hospitalizations and funerals.  Include in your prayers all who have already been infected and are struggling.

Effective Friday, February 18, 2022
Sr. Edna Esquibel, CSSF, has issued the following COVID-19 guidelines for those in Religious Education:

Dear Parish Catechetical Leaders:

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe will follow the amended NM Public Health Order of February 17, 2022, and those requirements listed in the Policies for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in New Mexico from the NM Department of Health and protocols from the New Mexico Environment Department.  Since the pandemic has not yet come to an end, there is still unpredictability with regard to future modifications to the public health orders.  Every parish should be ready to make changes in accordance with any promulgated health orders in the future. As of now and out of an abundance of caution for the unvaccinated and vulnerable among us, please abide by the following directives:

• From this day forward, masks will be optional for all those participating in parish Faith Formation programs.   However, the use of masks remains strongly recommended, especially for those over 65, those with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus, those caring for persons in the previous two categories, and those who are unvaccinated.

As noted previously, please continue with the following:

• Maintain social distancing 6' apart (3' is for schools that have had their airflow or purifiers checked and certified);

• Provide opportunities for frequent hand washing or have hand sanitizer available; 

• Notify parents of close contact and possible exposure of their child to any member of your catechetical staff or any child/youth testing positive for COVID-19;

• Caution – only speak of positive cases when making notifications and do not mention anyone by name;

• Maintain a cleaning schedule prior to children/youth entering the facility, particularly high touch surfaces, and sanitize spaces occupied by COVID-19 infectious individuals;

• Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep them out of reach of children. See CDC guidelines for cleaning facilities: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility | CDC

• All catechists who will be providing in-person Faith Formation should be vaccinated against COVID-19.  It is recommended that those who cannot or choose not to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus should not participate as an in-person/gathered catechist this year.

All pandemic-related policies and protocols are subject to change as the situation of COVID-19 positive cases changes.  Current protocols and any changes will be posted here on the archdiocesan website.

PROTOCOLOS ADICIONALES DE COVID-19
(CUARESMA, UNCIÓN DE LOS ENFERMOS, CONFIRMACIONES, CLASES DE EDUCACIÓN RELIGIOSA

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