Diverse needs

By Molly Ettenger, MD, Parishioner and Chair of Saint Philip’s Health Cabinet

This Sunday you will see two pews in the East Transept designated for those who seek to take respiratory precautions.

These precautions may be advisable because of a parishioner’s medical problems or because the parishioner has close contact with others who are immune suppressed.

Saint Philip’s Health Cabinet met with an epidemiologist and infection preventionist with the Pima County Department of Health, as well as with the parish’s Facilities Manager (to establish the air flow directions from the vents in the East Transept). Based on those meetings, the Health Cabinet recommended to the Vestry that two pews be designated for people wearing masks. The Vestry approved the recommendation.

There are additional ways to diminish the spread of respiratory pathogens: frequent hand washing, and getting the 2024 flu vaccine and COVID boosters. Consider sharing the peace during worship with a fist bump or namaste gesture, and cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm (instead of your hand) to reduce the spray of respiratory droplets.

Share the air—not the pathogens!

Click here to read about the flu and vaccine clinic at Saint Philip’s on Sunday, October 6.