The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) encourages churches to pay attention to local reports related to the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, government officials announced North Carolina’s first confirmed diagnosis of the coronavirus in Wake County. On March 6, state health officials announced that a second person from North Carolina, unrelated to the first case, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The BSC encourages churches to use wisdom in helping prevent the spread of the virus, while also looking for opportunities to engage the community with the gospel of Jesus Christ during these days of uncertainty regarding the virus.
The Great Commission instructs Christians to make disciples, and the BSC believes that healthy disciples experience health in three spheres – spiritual, emotional and physical. To say the local church has no interest in the physical health of its members or its community reflects an incomplete understanding of disciple-making.
While the Baptist State Convention is not an organization whose primary mission is to impact community health, the goal of making healthy disciples should motivate each of us to seek the total health and well-being of those we reach with the gospel.
With these foundations in mind, the coronavirus provides a unique opportunity to proclaim the hope and peace that the gospel brings. Experts are still learning about the coronavirus, and uncertainty can breed fear. However, the growing fear in our communities demands that the church proclaim the truth of scripture. Consider the words Paul wrote to Timothy, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Therefore, the BSC encourages churches to boldly proclaim the life-changing message of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit with the love of Christ Jesus. At the same time, the BSC encourages churches to use wisdom (“a sound mind”) in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
The following information, which is compiled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization and other sources, is provided to assist church leaders in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus. The information also includes guidelines related to participation in BSC events, ministries and partnership missions activities.
General information
COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough and breathing trouble. Most develop only mild symptoms, but some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal. The current incubation period ranges from two to 14 days, meaning you could be symptom-free up to 14 days prior to symptoms becoming evident.
BSC events and activities
In an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus or any other flu-like illnesses, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina requests that anyone with a fever greater than 99.1, cough, runny nose, sore throat or trouble breathing, not participate in convention-related activities. Event participants who show any cold or flu symptoms will be asked to go home, and the area they were occupying should immediately be disinfected.
Preventing disease transmission
Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Stay at least three feet away from anyone who may be infected. If you are the one feeling sick, cover your entire mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use either your bent elbow or a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately afterward. Try to avoid direct physical contact with others as much as possible, including shaking hands and hugging. Keep your hands away from your face, nose and eyes as much as possible.
Cleaning & disinfecting procedures for churches
Gloves should be worn when performing disinfection. Surfaces (e.g. desks, mattress covers, tables, etc.) and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards, phones, doorknobs, etc.) need to be sprayed and/or wiped with disinfectant regularly. Lysol disinfectant spray, Clorox disinfecting wipes and Shockwave appear to be approved products at this time. The CDC makes clear that no additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.
Put hand sanitizer dispensers in prominent places. Make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled. Ensure that tissues are readily available along with closed trash bins for disposal of used tissues.
Should you have questions about these suggestions and procedures, please contact Crystal Horton, a registered nurse who serves as the health screening coordinator with Baptists on Mission, at [email protected] or 800-395-5102 ext. 5610.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other sources was used in this report.)
