Our Flu Precautions

By now everyone realizes that influenza is expected to be especially widespread this year, because of the H1N1 virus. Here is a summary of the common-sense precautions that we're taking at Fall Creek Wesleyan Church to give all of us more freedom to be together in worship.

1. If you are sick, please stay home. If you have flu symptoms such as a cough, fever, or sore throat, it might be best to stay home until you are well rather than risk infecting others. If you’re feeling OK, please be here!

2. Use good cough and sneeze etiquette. Make sure that your cough and sneeze are well covered to prevent spreading germs.

3. Wash your hands often. This will reduce the possibility of spreading germs. Hand sanitizers have been placed in various locations at church.

4. Handshakes and hugs are optional. We will continue to exchange greetings each week, but please don’t be offended if someone doesn’t want to shake hands or receive a hug. Find a method of greeting that doesn’t require touch.

5. Keep trusting God and loving one another. Let’s not allow some risks to prevent us from being together and enjoying worship. Now, as always, we trust God for our safety and security. Our lives (and our health) are in his hands.

Some of our ministries deal with a large number of children on a daily basis. Here's what we're doing in those ministries.

Kids Express Childcare and Preschool

As a state-registered childcare ministry, Kids Express already has a very strong written policy for dealing with illness. In addition to the normal precaution stated in the handbook, parents were informed in writing on Oct. 19 that children must be fever and symptom free without the aid of fever reduction medications for 24 hours in order to return to school.

The ROCK

The is our after-school substance abuse prevention program that is currently serving 90 middle school students. The ROCK is taking the following precautions, and parents were informed by letter on Oct. 8.

1. Parents who suspect that their children are ill are urged to keep them home.
2. Children who show symptoms of cold or flu will be segregated immediately and sent home. Parents will be contacted via phone asap.
3. Children will be instructed to take precautions of covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
4. Children will be instructed to avoid physical contact.
5. Children and staff will wash hands with hands upon arrival, before eating, and after using the restroom. There will also be hand sanitizer readily available.
6. Games will avoid physical contact and touching common items such as balls.

That's what we're doing to safeguard our ministries. What flu precautions is your church taking?

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