At the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, we fundamentally recognize our diversity as our greatest strength and as faith communities either prepare to cautiously open up faith sanctuaries for in-person gatherings or remain closed, we wanted to present some common considerations faith communites are employing to strategically and safely resume in-person gathering. Compiled from the data are some considerations made available by the CDC, WHO, Medical Providers, Governmental Agencies, Interfaith religious organizations, community coalitions, and the congregations themselves while also considering the sensitivity and the diversity of faith practices. Your faith community and leadership will best be able to assess your particular communities needs in considering diversity of faith scriptures, regionality of community, locality of building, physical space of the building itself, denomination size, age of congregants, and cultural practices to best imform your decison.
Not everyone will choose to reopen now. The decision to either remain closed or open even partial in-person worship is not an easy one and should be re-evaluated by taking into account the most recent medical science and data availble, while considering the safety and health of the community as the main priority. This an ever-evolving document and as we gather more information we will continually update this resource page. COVID-19 continues to be very contageous with a much higher mortality rate than the common flu, especially for people of color, those with pre-existing conditions, and the elderly.
Preparing a plan to cautiously open or remain closed
Prepare your worship site
Promoting physical distancing
Monitoring for safety
On Monday, two free Covid-19 testing sites opened in Milwaukee. The locations are, Midtown Center on 5760 W. Capitol Dr. and UMOS, Inc. on 2701 S. Chase Ave. Both sites are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. No appointment or pre-registration is necessary.
Another free drive-through testing location provided by Pick ’n Save (The Kroeger Co.) will open on May 14th at 1001 Vel R. Phillips Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. Tests will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, then May 18-21 and May 26-29. Community members can register for the tests online. Eligibility will be established using a virtual screening tool that is based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plus recommendations from state and local government.
The Walgreens at 620 W. Oklahoma Ave. in Milwaukee is also offering free drive-thru Covid-19 testing.
You must first complete a questionnaire online before going into the store. Drive Thru COVID-19 testing.
Continuously Reassessing