The Omicron variant of COVID has been surging throughout the country and the Bay Area. With this highly transmissible variant, infections have increased dramatically and the positivity rate has soared. As a result, many public health protocols have been strengthened to limit the spread and the increasing pressure on already stressed health care system and workers. The unvaccinated continue to be the most vulnerable population and the population most likely to need hospital care and to be at the greatest risk for serious complications, including death.

Thus UUCB’s plans for regathering in person have been delayed. The task force will continue to monitor trends to assess when it will be safe for our congregation to regather joyfully and safely in person.

In the meantime, the best advice is to be fully vaccinated, including a booster, wear a mask, socially distance, especially in new environments with unknown persons, and wash hands. As masking experience and knowledge about easy and effective use has developed, N95, KN95 or KN94 masks are recommended by public health professionals as the best choices.