First United Methodist Church in Indianola is taking every precaution to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 after one staff member had prolonged exposure to an individual who recently tested positive for the virus.
FUMC Pastor Rev. Trey Skaggs, who is among several in self-quarantine this week, said while there have been rumors of a COVID-19 outbreak at the church, he said that is simply not true.
“If anything, we’re taking these measures to prevent such an occurrence,” Skaggs told The E-T.
Skaggs said he got a phone call on Friday notifying him that the staff member, who was not symptomatic as of press time, had been in prolonged contact with the individual.
“The staff member immediately contacted me,” Skaggs said.
The news came just as FUMC was beginning to return some of its members to sanctuary services on Sunday mornings.
After two trial runs in early June, Skaggs said the church was all set to hold four worship services this past Sunday.
Instead, a pre-recorded service premiered on Facebook that morning, and Skaggs said that will be the norm for the next couple of weeks, at least.
“That’s not ideal,” he said. “We’d much rather be at the church worshipping, in familiar surroundings for our people. Going live or pre-recording from the church gives people peace as they see their sanctuary, but with us being in isolation and in quarantine, that’s just not a reality right now.”
Despite these setbacks, the FUMC day-school continues operating.
Day school Director Jessica Busick is taking every precaution as well, he said. Even though she is at work, she is isolated from the rest of her staff and the kids. Skaggs said she has her own door to enter and exit from, and she is handling all issues through Facetime. “We’re trying to take every precaution we can,” Skaggs said.
Skaggs said that if the staff’s quarantine goes well, they could return to work the Friday before July 4.
