As we move forward, the Diocese of Cheyenne remains committed to protecting God’s precious gift of life and the common good. Guided by the Deposit of Faith, the Church often will operate using greater caution than the government, especially when those at greatest risk are among the most vulnerable. Pope Francis reminds us in the Joy of the Gospel that “the way we treat others has a transcendent dimension.” In other words, when we care for others, we care for ourselves.
The Diocese of Cheyenne acknowledges the fear and anxiety in the hearts of many. Yet, let us be confident that the Lord is guiding our journey in the desert, just as the people of Israel were led through their exodus to a land of new hope. As we journey in the desert, we must live our faith with reason, prudence, and compassion. We are still a Living Church with Living Faith.
We desire to continue to be able to gather as Church to celebrate Sacraments and to worship God. To do so requires a continued commitment to observing necessary safety protocols.
Bishop Steven Biegler has extended to the faithful in the Diocese of Cheyenne a dispensation from the obligation to celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays and holy days, effective through March 26, 2021.m the obligation to celebrate tBihe Eucharist on Sundays and
Six feet of physical distance between households and face coverings are required throughout the liturgy.
All members of the assembly will wear a face covering.
Six feet of distance between households is required.
As mentioned above, singing increases the shedding of virus. The exact degree is not known and continues to be studied, and we still do not know the potential for transmission from congregational singing. In general, music should be kept to a minimum with the acclamations (Gospel Acclamation, Holy, Memorial Acclamation, and Great Amen) receiving priority.
During this time, Holy Communion will only be served in the hand.
Six feet of physical distancing should be observed by those queuing. Many parishes will need to find larger, well-ventilated locations as most Reconciliation Chapels are small and do not permit air exchange. Sanitization should occur between penitents.
Close contact means to be within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
* Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Data are limited, making it difficult to precisely define “close contact;” however, 15 cumulative minutes of exposure at a distance of 6 feet or less can be used as an operational definition for contact investigation. Factors to consider when defining close contact include proximity (closer distance likely increases exposure risk), the duration of exposure (longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk), whether the infected individual has symptoms (the period around onset of symptoms is associated with the highest levels of viral shedding), if the infected person was likely to generate respiratory aerosols (e.g., was coughing, singing, shouting), and other environmental factors (crowding, adequacy of ventilation, whether exposure was indoors or outdoors). Because the general public has not received training on proper selection and use of respiratory PPE, such as an N95, the determination of close contact should generally be made irrespective of whether the contact was wearing respiratory PPE. At this time, differential determination of close contact for those using fabric face coverings is not recommended.
Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.
Isolation keeps someone who is infected with the virus away from others, even in their home.
Contact tracing is the subsequent identification, monitoring, and support of a confirmed or probable case’s close contacts who have been exposed to, and possibly infected with, the virus. The infected patient’s identity is not discussed with contacts, even if asked.
Contact tracing helps protect you, your family, and your community by:
It is likely that you need to be in direct close contact with someone with COVID-19 when they have symptoms, or during the 48 hours (two days) before they develop symptoms, to get infected. Close contact includes:
You may not be called by a public health representative. You should quarantine and monitor your symptoms for 14 days after your last exposure. Quarantine means staying at home and not having contact with others, except if you need medical care. Do not go to school or work. Avoid public spaces, public activities and group gatherings. If possible, separate from others in your home by sleeping in a separate bedroom and maintaining a 6-foot distance.
If you do become ill, separate from others in your home to prevent them from being exposed. While in quarantine, you may spend time on your property or exercise outdoors, as long as you distance yourself from others during exercise and refrain from using public facilities such as water fountains and restrooms.
The Wyoming Department of Health recommends testing of close contacts twice during the quarantine period. The ideal timing for the first test is at four-to-five days after the initial exposure, and if the initial test is negative, again at day 11 or 12 of the 14-day quarantine period.
If you are sick, you must stay home until:
▪ Your fever has been gone for 72 hours (three full days) without using fever-reducing medicine, AND
▪ Your other symptoms have improved, AND
▪ At least ten days have passed since your symptoms first began.