This is the season for respiratory illnesses, and public exposures to COVID-19, flu, RSV and colds can happen any time. To protect your health, be up-to-date on your vaccinations and wear a mask while in high-risk settings (e.g. airports, public transportation, and wherever physical distancing and clean air circulation is compromised). Most importantly STAY HOME if you have cold or flu-like symptoms or fever. If you are in a high-risk group, consider taking additional precautions—at UUC, this may include watching the Sunday Services live stream or attending small groups via Zoom.

If you are exposed to COVID-19, please watch for symptoms, test after 5 days (and if negative, re-test 48 hours later), isolate if you develop symptoms, avoid spending time with someone who is in a vulnerable group for respiratory illness, and consider wearing a mask when out in public over the next 5-10 days.

If you test positive, isolate and contact your health care provider as soon as possible to determine if antiviral treatment (such as Paxlovid) is appropriate. Wear a mask if you are around others while symptomatic, and wait for 24 hours after fever is gone and symptoms are getting better over all before you return to normal activities. Take extra precautions in public for the next 5 days to protect others (e.g., wear a mask and maintain physical distancing). 

As of late September 2024, residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Check older test kits for extended expiration dates.