How we are handling your safety in the midst of the Coronavirus

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Friends-

We care about your safety and for others who attend Good News Bible Church. We want to assure you that we are monitoring local, state, and federal health agencies to keep our congregants and visitors informed about the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Please read this entire document (2 pages) so that you are fully informed about the situation and how all of us can work together to maximize safety and minimize concerns.
 
It is important to practice simple, healthy behaviors (wash your hands, cover your cough/sneeze, and stay home when sick) to help prevent the spread of germs. The church has a plan in place to keep all of us safe so that we can continue to provide essential services to attendees and our community.

COVID-19

Symptoms:
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Call your doctor if you:

• Develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19
• Or, have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.

Where to Get Information
Public health experts are the best resource of information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Iowa Department of Public Health: Updates on persons being monitored, tested, and test results, as well as facts and prevention tips, are available from the Iowa Department of Public Health. See the Iowa Department of Public Health website
• The Centers for Disease Control: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has information about the COVID-19 symptoms, prevention and treatment, stigma, what to do if you are sick, and frequently asked questions. See the CDC Coronavirus Disease website
• Follow the CDC on social media at:
  • Twitter: @CDCgov
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDC
    Instagram: @CDCgov

What Is Good News Bible Church Doing For Prevention?

• Soap and disinfectant are available for all attendees to use for hand washing and disinfection. Soap dispensers shall be filled prior to each service.
• A thorough cleaning of common touchable surfaces will be performed on Mondays and Fridays.
• All toys, chairs and table tops in the children’s Sunday School, Children’s Church and the Nursery will be cleaned after Sunday use and completed prior to the next anticipated usage.
• All children in Sunday School, Children’s Church and the Nursery will be assisted in washing their hands as they come in and as they leave the rooms.
• The kitchen area shall be cleaned after each use and all reusable dishes and utensils shall be cleaned in the dishwasher if possible.

How Can You Help?
For the safety and health of all who attend Good News, we are asking for your assistance in the following ways:

• We need volunteers to help us clean on Monday and Friday of each week. Please contact the church office if you can assist us.
• Please stay home if you have experienced any of the following:*
  • Travel outside the U.S. or been on a cruise in the past 14 days
  • Had close contact with someone else who recently traveled outside the U.S.
  • Had recent contact with someone who tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Fever, cough, chest congestion or trouble breathing
    * Contact us and we will work with you to support your needs.

• Avoid touching other people (i.e. handshakes, etc.)
• We have decided to eliminate the treats between services that have been so generously provided in the past. There have been several observations of unhealthy contamination of some of the food and utensils as people self-serve. Due to the heightened focus on this health crisis, we think it best that this practice be suspended for the time being. Coffee will still be provided, but please be sure to dispose of coffee stirrers and cups in the trash and not leave them on the counter.
• Wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, or sneezing, etc.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you suffer from a compromised immune system or any high risk medical conditions (kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), feel free to stay home. Contact us and we will work with you to support your needs.
• If you test positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) please contact us and we will work with you to support your needs.

At this point, we do not anticipate changing our public worship or activities schedule. If you are unable to attend a worship service, a recording of the service will be uploaded on Monday after the service. There is a link to that video on the church website (www.goodnewsiowacity.com).

We do ask that you make every effort possible to follow the health guidelines set forth herein and any others that are suggested by local, state or federal health agencies. We will continue to monitor and follow the guidelines set out by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and will update our guidelines as necessary. We have discussed additional contingency plans should the crisis necessitate further actions. Your assistance is crucial in order to avoid putting other people at risk or causing them unnecessary concerns.

Thank you for partnering with us as we deal with this crisis.

Good News Pastoral Staff and Board of Elders