Coronavirus Safety, March 12, 2020

Coronavirus Safety Update, March 12, 2020

Dear Temple Sinai Community,

As we monitor the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus, we write to share with you how Temple Sinai is responding. We invite your partnership in both mitigating the spread of the illness and helping us conduct our sacred work under modified conditions.

Our decisions remain based on up-to-date guidance from the CDC and local Departments of Public Health. We also know that this is a rapidly evolving situation, and as new information becomes available about the spread of COVID-19, we will continue to review and adapt our protocols to meet this challenge.

AS OF NOW:

• Temple Sinai will remain open as usual;
• We will move the Informal Shabbat Morning Service to the Leebov Sanctuary for the time being to provide more personal space for everyone;
• NextDOR, Hebrew School, Committees, Choir and Band rehearsals, Board of Trustees, and other scheduled internal Temple Sinai meetings will go on as scheduled;
• Events with speakers or performers who need to fly to Pittsburgh will be postponed and rescheduled (i.e. Artist-in-Residence Dan Nichols, YES SHE CAN Q&A and Book Signing, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs' visit);
• Other event cancellations will be last minute as appropriate in consideration of the evolving situation;
• You will see a difference in how we serve food at Onegs and other gatherings.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
Exercise an abundance of caution concerning the coronavirus and influenza. If you are not feeling well, coughing, have a fever or are just anxious, please stay home and join us via livestream. Click here.

TIPS FROM THE CDC TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE

• Please stay home when you’re not feeling well or have come into contact with someone who is sick. Enjoy our Shabbat Evening Service live streamed online.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. We will have ample hand sanitizer at services for your convenience. Click for the CDC's recommendations for proper hand washing.
• Cover your coughs with a tissue, dispose of the tissue, and then wash your hands.
• Limit physical greetings like hugs, kisses, and handshakes. A friendly smile and wave should take their place for now.
• When serving yourself or eating at Shabbat dinners or oneg tables, be sure to use serving utensils rather than your hands to take food.
• If you haven’t already, get the flu vaccination as soon as you can. The flu is still circulating. 
• Avoid touching your face—especially your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Again, wash your hands frequently with soap and water. This can’t be repeated too often. It is the most recommended step to avoid spreading germs.

For more information about the Coronavirus go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Note: We will send out our normal weekly email tomorrow with details on our Shabbat services as well as upcoming events and activities.