Updates and Resources Regarding COVID-19 — Please check each section as new posts are added as they become available. Thank you.
Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine:The CDC has shared answers for some Frequently Asked Questions – Click Here to see. Check out the CDC website for additional tools and resources at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/vaccines.
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United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP), has launched their 2nd COVID-19 Impact Survey!
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Recently Released Announcements from the Governor’s Office (3/2021)
- Acting Secretary of Health: Pennsylvanians Can Now Use COVID Alert PA to Access Important COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Wolf Revises Mitigation Order on Gatherings and Lifts Out-of-State Travel Restrictions
- Wolf Administration Submits Pandemic EBT Plan To Help Pennsylvania Families Cover The Cost Of Missed School Meals
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Suggested Guidelines for Local Church Gatherings in the Fall, 2020 – October 29, 2020 –
Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, Conference Minister
Click Here for the Suggested Guidelines
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors. For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus
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Apocalyptic Autumn on the Horizon (from COVID Act Now) – Click Here
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Up-dates re COVID-19 From the UCC Disaster Ministries. Click Here
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From the National UCC
Click here for the COVID-19 Daily Briefing Archive
You should be able to go there Monday through Friday to get updates.
Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors – For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus
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From the PA Council of Churches
We have been maintaining a page with a variety of COVID-19 resources (https://www.pachurches.org/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/), updated nearly daily.
Postings we have concerning COVID-19 information: (posted 5/1/2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link for Centers for Disease Control added to Federal COVID-19 Resources
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From Heather E. Kimmel, General Counsel, UCC
(Posted 9.1.2020) – The Department of Labor recently released additional guidance on the leave available to employees caring for school-aged children under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These questions and answers relate to schools and remote learning. Briefly:
- If the school is closed and the only option is remote learning, the employee is eligible for paid leave under the FFCRA.
- If the school offers the option of attending in person or attending remotely, the employee is not eligible for leave under the FFCRA because the school is not closed due to COVID, even if the employee selects the remote option out of fear of the child contracting COVID.
- If the school has a hybrid approach and the child is required to do remote learning on particular days and not permitted to attend school on those days, the employee may take the leave on those days.
For additional information and a more complete explanation: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#98
Of course, nothing prohibits an employer from giving an employee leave that is not required under FFCRA, but remember that the employer cannot take the payroll tax credit for non-qualifying leave.
5.13.2020_Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions
UPDATED 5.4.2020 CARES Act For Churches
Liquidity, Necessity, and FAQ 31 uploaded on 5/1/2020
(Posted September 1, 2020) CovidActNow.org is always updating Information at http://www.covidactnow.org/?s=1047224
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(6.25.2020) COVID-19 Relief Funds for Churches — The United Church of Christ National Setting is offering financial assistance to local churches whose ministries have been challenged by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The national officers have collectively identified $2.6 million in COVID-19 relief, $1.5 million in loans that will be administered through the Cornerstone Fund and another $1.1 million in micro grants. Click here for full information and to apply.
(6.23.2020) In Depth COVID Considerations on regathering: CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Resource Guide from UCC Insurance Board posted 6.2.2020
COVID-19 Liability FAQ Insurance Board posted 6.2.2020
‘Things Will Never Be the Same’ – How the Pandemic Changed Worship
Here is a link to the guidance the CDC tried to provide us. There are specific guidelines for faith communities in this. Click Here
BREAKING NEWS: Key Takeaways for Churches from the Governor’s Press Conference 5.4.2020
Sources:
The National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Updated Guide
Coronavirus Update: Mental Health Guidance, Public Health News and Resources
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration provides a 24-hour-a-day “Disaster Distress Hotline,” crisis counseling to support people experiencing distress during or following a disaster, including those impacted by the novel coronavirus spread. The hotline offers immediate, cost-free and confidential counseling at 800-985-5990. Those who need help can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor.