For Immediate Release

12/12/2020                        

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/covid-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Rowan County Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

**Please note that Rowan County Public Health has moved their COVID testing site to the West End Plaza(1935 Jake Alexander Blvd., West)

10 Actions that Faith Leaders can do to Help Respond to COVID-19

NCDHHS recognizes the powerful role faith leaders play in our communities and congregations. As the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mandy Cohen has outlined in this letter how you as a faith leader can help, especially during this season of gathering and celebration.

Below is a list of actions to consider that will hopefully protect your congregation members and our community, while slowing down the spread of COVID-19. 

1. Follow NCDHHS guidance for places of worship to protect your community.

• Review the most up-to-date Guidance for Places of Worship in English and Spanish.
• NEW! Review the NCDHHS Guidelines for Get-Togethers.

2. Keep your congregation and faith community informed about prevention, testing, contact tracing, and community supports.

• NEW! Sample “season for gathering” talking points for faith leaders.
• NEW! Sample “season for gathering” language for your website, newsletter, or bulletin.
• NEW! Sample “season for gathering” email to share important information with your community about gathering safely this season.
• Sample talking points for faith leaders
• Sample language for your website, newsletter, or bulletin

3. Urge community members to “Get Behind the Mask.”

• NEW! Help amplify the “Slow the Spread, Get Behind the Mask” PSA, available in English and Spanish. As your community plans celebratory gatherings during this season, it is important to remember that the decision to wear a mask is not about “who you know, or how well you know them... get behind the mask.”
• Help amplify the message by sharing the PSA, available in English and Spanish. Everyone who puts on a mask does so for a reason – they are protecting and respecting someone.
• Share the “Whatever Your Reason, Get Behind the Mask” campaign widely, including videos, flyers, and social media graphics available in English and Spanish.

4. Encourage your congregation to download and use the mobile app SlowCOVIDNC.

• Use the SlowCOVIDNC toolkit to promote the app. SlowCOVIDNC is an anonymous exposure notification application for your smart phones that can alert you if you have recently come into contact with another SlowCOVIDNC user who has tested positive.
• Watch the SlowCOVIDNC Demonstration Video to learn more about how the application works.

5. Urge your congregation to get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or think they’ve been exposed.

• Use our sample email to encourage members of your congregation to get tested.
• Help people find a nearby testing site using Find My Testing Place. If someone is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or thinks they have been exposed to COVID-19, then they should get tested.
• Let people know that if they are uncertain about needing a test, they can use Check My Symptoms.

6. Help connect people to resources and supports.

• NCDHHS developed the COVID-19 Support Services Program to support individuals in North Carolina who need access to medical care, resources, and services to successfully quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19.
• NCCARE360 is our statewide coordinated care network that connects people with community resources and support.

7. Distribute masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/health-care/requesting-ppe for instructions on how to request Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

8. Amplify messages on social media.

• “Know your 3Ws” (“Recuerda las 3Ms”)
• Prevent and Protect Toolkit
  • Check Your Symptoms graphics
  • Find My Testing Place graphics
  • Answer the Call graphics
  • Other flyers, videos, PSAs and more

We all can play a role in decreasing the spread and helping ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. Do your part by continuing to practice the 3W's - Wait six feet apart, Wash your hands regularly, and Wear a mask.

###

Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - December 12, 2020 (PDF)