How to Prepare Churches, Temples, Synagogues & Mosques for Corona Virus

There is no need to panic. If we are prepared, we do not have to fear.

CNN article reported this morning: "As infections near 100,000, WHO says 'this is not a drill.'"

World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted in the article to say, "This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government."

With the virus spreading to more than 80 countries worldwide and recently reported 2 cases here in Metro-Atlanta, everyone (not just the government) can help keep this virus at bay with all citizens being mindful of their daily actions.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have the following guidelines for communities & Faith-based organizations through this link. Here's the link to CDC's print resources that can be downloaded as needed.

The Catholic Church published its recommendations on how to prepare for the Coronavirus. Here's a link to their recommendations.

Jamie D. Aten, PhD - founder and executive director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) and a 2016 FEMA Community Preparedness Champion award recipient at the White House wrote an article, "Is Your Church Ready for the Coronavirus?"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taken significant precautions to help keep the virus at bay in temples and congregations in Southeast Asia and the world. Here's a link to what they have done thus far.

Noah's Ark created a short downloadable video compiling common CDC & WHO guidelines to help all churches, temples, synagogues & mosques educate & protect their congregations & communities against this novel virus.  Click here to download from our YouTube channel.

This video is compiled to share at Noah's Ark's participation at the Interfaith Peace Symposium (Women's Only Event) hosted by The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Auxiliary (GA Chapter) on Sat., 3/7/2020 in Norcross, GA from 10AM - 1PM.  

Noah's Ark & Co. -  located in Gwinnett County, GA, continues to invite leaders of churches, temples, synagogues & mosques to partner with the Gwinnett Newton & Rockdale County Public Health (GNR Health) to become a Point of Dispensing (POD) organization to help serve more than 1.1 Million residents in the tri-county area - when future public health safety threats occur.

• PODs are traditionally structured as an OPEN POD - where life saving medications or vaccines can be distributed in a coliseum or arena by the County Public Health when a public health safety threat occurs.
• A CLOSED POD is structured in such a way that private organizations (like corporations, schools or faith based organizations) can be trained to dispense these to their members/employees only. 
• A HYBRID POD was created when Burke Hunsaker, then a  local Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ in Suwanee, GA - agreed to be POD trained, if he and his fellow bishops (with their congregations) can also be trained to share the medications to others in the community - after dispensing to their respective congregations.

Here's the video of the first hybrid POD organization training by GNR Health at the Sugar Hill Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ on 1.27.2018 under Bishop Hunsaker's leadership.

Contact [email protected] for more information on how your church, temple, synagogue or mosque can become a POD in the Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County area.