Blog

The Cathedral community—comprising clergy, staff, volunteers, residents, congregants, visitors, and more—is committed to minimizing the risk of COVID-19 as we begin to regather together. Drawing upon the wisdom teachings of Jesus, which tell us that love of neighbor is the highest human calling, second only to love of God, this Compact is our community’s pledge of respect and shared responsibility for one another.

As we respond to the challenges and necessary changes brought about by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Cathedral community acknowledges the need for us to take steps to protect the health and well-being of all people on the Cathedral Close.

The Cathedral cannot guarantee that you or others you may come into contact with will not be exposed to, contract, or spread COVID-19 while utilizing our services or premises. It is not possible for us to prevent entirely against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to use our services and/or enter onto our premises, it is possible that you may be exposing yourself, and/or increasing your risk of, contracting or spreading COVID-19.

Given these facts, the entire Cathedral community commit to doing what we can to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 within and around the Cathedral and its grounds. As members of this Compact, each of us affirms the following:

• Wearing a face covering over nose and mouth while inside the Cathedral and on its grounds
• Keeping at least six feet apart from other people
• Participating in testing and contact tracing when required, and isolation and quarantine protocols when required
• Following basic health precautions, including frequent hand washing/sanitizing and workplace and shared-space hygiene
• Following signs and guidance posted throughout the Cathedral and its grounds
• Refraining from visiting the Cathedral if you have any COVID-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell) or have been diagnosed with/in contact with a person who has COVID-19
• Following all CDC recommended guidelines as much as possible and limiting your exposure to the coronavirus

The Cathedral’s administration and staff pledge to uphold this compact, through rigorous cleaning of the Cathedral and shared office areas, requirements for physical distancing and facial coverings, contact tracing for visitors and staff, and vigilant attention to the health and safety of the community as a whole. In the interest of supporting community health and safety, anyone who does not adhere to these commitments after being asked to do so by an appropriate authority will be asked to leave the Cathedral Close.

In accord with the Episcopal Church's Baptismal vows of seeing Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor, and respecting the dignity of every human being (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), the Cathedral community commits itself to safeguarding the lives of our neighbors and to acting responsibly as we begin to once again interact in person. All of our community members are essential to the well-being of the whole, and all of us have a role to play in protecting one another and lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission.