Churches should insist that people attending services and meetings wear face covering to protect everyone
IT’S time to introduce the wearing of face coverings during indoor church services and meetings.
Each virus-person combination has a minimum dose. In church buildings we need to keep the air concentration of the virus to a level low enough so that even the most susceptible person attending a service or meeting does not breathe in a dose high enough to cause infection.
We know that the Covid-19 virus is spread mainly through the air in droplets originating from the mouths and noses of pre-symptomatic, symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. Thus, face coverings apply infection control at source. In normal times we consider it good manners to use a tissue when we cough or sneeze to reduce the risk to others.
In the abnormal circumstances of a pandemic face coverings just make sure that that barrier is in place when it is needed.
I know that the Northern Ireland Executive do not at present include church buildings in the indoor spaces in which it is mandatory to wear face coverings.
However, in church managements, we must apply our risk assessment to our particular demographics and activities.
Those most regularly attending church services in Ireland are in the upper age group. From the recorded epidemiology of Covid-19, persons in this age group are the most likely to suffer the serious symptoms of the disease.
In our church services we mix this group with members in the mid to lower-age group, who, from recent figures, appear to form most of the new cases.
The use of face coverings by all persons attending church services and other meetings provides a simple and effective contribution to Covid-19 infection control and to the growth of confidence in members thinking of attending.
I know that the recent public debate suggests that it is a controversial issue, yet it is now mandatory in Scotland and England, where the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that 96% of adults who had left their homes said they had worn a face covering to slow the spread of the virus.
DR HAROLD HARVEY By email