COVID-19 STATEMENT OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PANDEMIC
We are living in unique and uncertain times. None of us can know what the future holds, but here at Mechanicsville Christian Center (MCC), we are dedicated to providing our families with children and students the best possible experience as we return to meeting in our facilities.
We recognize that you are seeking certainty; we all are. COVID-19, the virus responsible for the current global pandemic, is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. Research supports that the virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. In addition, people who contract the virus may be asymptomatic and unknowingly spread the virus. However, the full extent of how the virus transmits remains unknown. Currently, there is no vaccine available for this virus or known treatment for the adverse effects attributed to COVID-19.
The risk of exposure and possible infection is real and present in any community environment where large numbers of people are interacting, including our MCC facilities. We are engaged in numerous efforts to help prevent, mitigate, and respond to the spread of COVID-19 at our church. Efforts include increased cleaning and disinfecting, implementation of mask and face-covering protocols, instruction and awareness signage, social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, and other mitigation strategies.
Despite MCC’s best efforts, it is impossible to eliminate the risk of positive cases or an outbreak at our facility. We cannot guarantee people present at our facility will not be exposed to or potentially become infected with COVID-19.
By engaging in the on-site community of MCC, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
As an institution of faith, MCC is committed to acknowledging and honoring the dignity of every person, as created in the image of God. We must all make it a priority to care for one another. Taking steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) at MCC and in our community is a shared responsibility and a critical part of caring for all who live, work, and worship with us. We can all help keep our MCC community healthy by being mindful of our actions at all times and following the health and safety protocols in force.
It is vital you understand:
• MCC takes seriously the health, safety, and welfare of every person who attends our church.
• No one can guarantee what shape COVID-19 will take, and none of us – including MCC – can guarantee a COVID-19-free environment. This is simply not feasible. We want to be sure you are aware and understand that, by coming onto the physical campus of MCC, there is a risk you may contract COVID-19. While we certainly do not wish this on anyone, and we are taking every precaution to mitigate this risk, we cannot categorically guarantee you will not be exposed to COVID-19 or contract it.
• Every member must work together to do their part to help minimize the risk. This means adhering to national, state, local, and MCC’s health and safety guidelines and requirements, and includes complying with mandatory CDC reporting guidelines.
Specific details will be provided as circumstances dictate, but this may include such guidelines as: temperature checks, physical distancing, wearing masks or other facial coverings, using other PPE, reporting suspected and positive infections, not attending services or events if sick, and isolating and quarantining when required. You agree to these guidelines, not just for you and your family, but also for the safety of others. Love and concern for one another is consistent with our Mission spirit of how we care for our family at MCC.