Christmas Eve candlelight services have always been special to me, as I am sure they are to many others. The passing of a flame from candle to candle as the sanctuary moves from darkness to light is a beautiful and meaningful representation of Jesus coming into the world.
As an epidemiologist, I have been using fire metaphors throughout the pandemic. As case counts have increased, I’ve alluded to a raging fire; when vaccination rates are low, I’ve talked about tinder smoldering and an inevitable flare up of cases. Fire has been such an important metaphor that I’ve even read a few books about wildfires this year to ensure my metaphors are on point (I highly recommend the book Young Men & Fire).
Today — on the fourth Sunday of Advent — FIRE is bringing my work as an epidemiologist together with my faith. My heart yearns to be part of a candlelight service this year (last year I went through the motions in the living room of my childhood home, but it just wasn’t a real candlelight service), but my brain recognizes that being in a crowded indoor space where masking is not required could spark the next outbreak of disease in my community (and possibly a member of my family could become ill). I fear that these beautiful candlelight services could become superspreader events this year.
The current COVID situation is bad. Case counts have increased across the United States by 17% over the past 14 day; hospitalizations are also up 17%; and deaths have increased by 9%. While the Delta variant continues to rage in the United States, Omicron is spreading quickly and could be the most common variant in the coming weeks. More than 90% of the country is facing high (red) or substantial (orange) amounts of COVID transmission.
The pandemic is still raging. Community spread is high and our healthcare system is being pushed to its limits. The community hospital in my neighborhood is currently facing a surge in COVID patients. According to a recent report —
“The recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations has forced all northwestern Pennsylvania hospitals to scramble, but perhaps none more than Meadville Medical (located in Crawford County)… Crawford County's rate of 476.2 cases per 100,000 residents far exceeded the statewide rate of 276.8.”
Given the state of the pandemic and knowing that things are going to get worse (more cases, hospitalizations, and deaths) before they get better (an endemic state of disease), the thought of sitting inside shoulder-to-shoulder, singing carols, passing the peace of Christ, and lighting candles together with unmasked and unvaccinated individuals is unsettling to me. All of the activities that make Christmas Eve candlelight services so special will also increase the spread of COVID.
Unless… we use the science of public health (yeah, epidemiology) to design Christmas Eve services that are COVID-safe.
Nothing that I am proposing below will be surprising or complicated. In fact, these mitigation plans are simple and could be implemented now in time for Christmas Eve on Friday. While you can take individual action (see below), the maximum benefit will come if our church leaders decide to host COVID-safe services this week. Please share these plans for a healthy and safe Christmas Eve service with your church leaders (along with the evidence that COVID spread is increasing and the risk of illness, hospitalization, and death is real/deadly).
So — how can we keep our Christmas Eve services safe for everyone in our community this year? How can we gather together, share in our traditions, and (at the same time) prevent the spread of COVID in our churches and communities?
Masks must be worn. Churches should require masks at all services this week (yes, you can pull your mask down to blow out your candle). Individuals who are attending services should wear a mask from the moment they enter the building until they are outside.
Choirs and other musicians must also mask throughout the service - even while performing. We have known for more than a year now that singing increases the spread of COVID.
Churches can also make every effort to increase air flow inside (crank up the fans or open the windows). If the weather cooperates, services could be moved outdoors. Here in northwestern Pennsylvania, it is supposed to be in the 40s on Friday — an outdoor service is possible.
Churches should also communicate that individuals who are feeling ill or have a known COVID exposure MUST stay home this year. Keeping sick individuals out of our churches will decrease disease spread.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I am reminded of Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors (Luke 10:27). And in the midst of a COVID surge, I believe we can show this type of love by masking during all of our Christmas Eve services. Masking will slow the spread of disease, protect the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, and provide individual projection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
It is my hope that the candles Christians light on Christmas Eve will reflect our celebration of Jesus coming into the world. I also hope we can recognize that this is (yet again) another COVID Christmas. We have learned so much during the past year and we know how to decrease disease spread. So we can come together on Christmas Eve. However, it cannot be business as usual; we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
I believe we can work together to prevent the spread of disease by wearing a mask.
This year my Christmas wish is for the spread of COVID to slow in our community. I want to see hospitalizations and deaths from COVID decrease.
To make my wish come true, masks must be part of our Christmas celebrations this year.
Here, here, Becky!!! Spot on with your post this week!!! My church, St. Peter Cathedral in Erie is an absolute s$%# show! I have not gone to mass since the pandemic started. They don't require masking or social distancing. Out of all the churches (from what my friend says), they are the worse. I will be again watching mass from the safety of my home.
I think people have, unfortunately, become complacent with the pandemic. I even see it in my husband who is one of "those people" with the attitude of "I am vaxed and boosted I don't need to wear a mask." And even gets mad at me when I tell him we are in a high rate and therefore state mandate states we wear our mask in any indoor situation. It is so sad.
If everyone did what they were told for 3 weeks, our numbers would fall. I can't WAIT for your blog about the new County Executive (idiot) who is doing away with the mas mandate for Erie County schools when he takes office on January 3. I fear for the repercussions from that decision.
Ok, off my soap box for this week.
Thank you for EVERYTHING you do to spread the word (not COVID) about the pandemic. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I really hope Santa (and the world) grants your Christmas Wish!!!
Kathy