Or Shalom COVID-19 Precautions

Or Shalom COVID Guidelines – April 2025

At Or Shalom, we strive to create a welcoming, safe, and accessible environment for all who attend our services and events. As COVID (SARS-CoV-2) has become endemic, we commit ourselves to a harm reduction model: taking into account the most vulnerable in our community, acknowledging the ongoing risks posed by the illness to even healthy individuals, and attempting to balance the needs of diverse community members in order to foster community well-being in all of its forms.

At every Or Shalom community event, we should assume that there are high-risk individuals present. Therefore, we must always follow guidelines that apply when in the presence of high-risk individuals. These include:

Illness and Testing Guidelines

• If you have COVID symptoms or any symptoms unusual for you, even if you test negative for COVID, do not attend services or events. If you test positive after attending, please inform the office.
• If you test positive for COVID, please do not attend any Or Shalom events until symptoms are mild and improving and 10 days have passed.
• If you were exposed to COVID within the last 7 days, do not attend events.

Masking Guidelines

• High-quality, well-fitted KN95 masks  will be available at all Or Shalom events.
• We highly encourage mask-wearing for all who can when not eating and drinking, especially when COVID levels/the levels of other communicable diseases are surging.
• If someone is wearing a mask, assume it is a need they hold and a signal asking for care from the community. Our recommended behavior in response is:
  • Do: ask if they would like for you to mask in return (if you are able).
  • Do not: 
    • ask why they are masked.
    • request for them to unmask.
• If someone is not wearing a mask, assume it is a need they hold. Our recommended behavior in response is:
  • Do: Respect their need to be unmasked.
  • Do not:
    • ask why they are unmasked.
    • request for them to mask.
• Aligned with the values of harm reduction, we understand that some masking is more effective at preventing transmission than no masking. So, for example, masking during services and social time but unmasking for eating/drinking is an effective way to reduce exposure without complete isolation, and is recommended.

Additional Communal Responses:

• Clear Communication – We will keep all members and guests informed of our COVID guidelines.
• Ventilation & Air Purification – We will strive to prioritize fresh air and high-quality air filtration at all events.
• Data-Informed Decisions – We will monitor local wastewater data to track COVID levels in San Francisco and adjust guidelines accordingly. See the latest data here.

Recognizing COVID Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Cough, sore throat, congestion
• Muscle pain, headache
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual weakness or fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Any symptoms that are part of your known COVID response

Why are we still talking about COVID in 2025?

Since Fall 2024, COVID has been classified as endemic, meaning it is always present in the community. Many cases (up to 30%) have no symptoms, and testing—while helpful—is not 100% reliable. 

As a community that values inclusivity and accessibility, we see it as imperative to create a culture of care that fulfills the biblical obligation expressed in Leviticus 19:14– to not place a stumbling block before the blind–, meaning, to not pose additional harm to those already at risk. One thing the COVID pandemic has made clear is that we are all vulnerable to COVID and other communicable diseases.  Everyone can get Long COVID, including the apparently healthy. Additionally, some in our community are at especially heightened risk, such as older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities or those on immune-suppressing medications .  We can rely on their deep wisdom in solving problems like this because of their everyday experiences, for protecting each other is an act of communal care.

When does this policy apply?

One should assume that the above-stated policy is the policy in place at any Or Shalom gathering that you attend unless explicitly stated otherwise. Occasionally, we may ask for additional measures to be taken, depending on local data around levels of COVID and communicable diseases at that time, the needs of certain members of the community in attendance, or other extenuating factors. These additional measures could include options such asking everyone to test negative for COVID before attending an event, a mask-mandate for a particular event, moving an event outdoors, etc. Additionally, if you are a part of an Or Shalom havurah, action circle or other small group, and want to institute a different policy for your small group gathering, you may as long as you come to that policy through a collective decision-making process where all involved parties are a part of the decision and no one feels pressured to say yes to a policy that puts them at heightened risk.

By working together with compassion and awareness, we can continue to create a warm and inclusive space for all members of Or Shalom. Thank you for being part of this community of care.

Or Shalom Leadership