South Carolina Masses reopening guidelines -- wow!

[JanR]

Well, at least they allow people to use the restrooms if they need to. That’s a good thing, and the right thing. For some folks, not using the restroom isn’t an option.

Not holding hands during the Our Father, even after normalcy returns, is a bit rigid, in my opinion. I can see it during the pandemic, but after the virus is gone, why not resume this beautiful practice? Especially since nearly everyone now knows to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer, I would think, after this pandemic is over, that most people’s hands would be clean and disinfected as a matter of continued practice.

On the other hand, I can anticipate that many may revert back to their old habits, so maybe it’s still a good idea to refrain, even when the danger has passed.

All of these rules essentially make good sense.

 

[Phemie]

TheLittleLady:

Cry rooms are small, enclosed spaces.

No, they are not.
But what we really need to know is of the cry room at that particular church is.

Not every parish has a cry room. The ones that I’ve seen were the size of a small bedroom and, in my experience, served more as playroom than quiet room. No ‘social distancing’ possible in there.

 

[Phemie]

Then just put a note on it to use the side doors. Another seemingly insurmountable crisis solved by Post-it!

This would still violate safety codes. You simply cannot lock people in like that, it’s totally unsafe.

 

[Allegra]

You’re missing the point. You don’t have to lock the doors. Just close them and put a sign on the outside, asking people not to use them.

 

[vz71]

Not every parish has a cry room. The ones that I’ve seen were the size of a small bedroom and, in my experience, served more as playroom than quiet room. No ‘social distancing’ possible in there.

Apologies to all for not being clear.
Every Church I have been to has a different cry room.
Some are small. Some are large.
I have even seen the church hall rigged with sound and video so it could suit as the cry room.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Our extra doors are locked on the outside and exited with a standard crashbar from the inside, this is what the fire codes require. Unlocked egress.

 

[Phemie]

Our extra doors are locked on the outside and exited with a standard crashbar from the inside, this is what the fire codes require. Unlocked egress.

I understand that but I would think that that is over and above the expectation that the main door which doesn’t have a crash bar is unlocked while the congregation is inside. Because sure as heck if a fire broke out people are going to head for the door that is directly in front of them to get out.

 

[TheLittleLady]

In our state, every door in the public facility must have a crash bar for fire codes. I’m sure other states, provences, etc vary.

 

[Phemie]

You’re missing the point. You don’t have to lock the doors. Just close them and put a sign on the outside, asking people not to use them.

The point made in the original post is that the doors were to be locked once you reached your 50 people maximum.

 

[Allegra]

But if you can’t actually lock them, then just put a sign on them that says the door is out of order. How may people are going to try to break down a door?

 

[Phemie]

But if you can’t actually lock them, then just put a sign on them that says the door is out of order. How may people are going to try to break down a door?

They push when it says “PULL” and vice versa, you think they’re not going to try the door? I don’t have that much faith in humanity.

 

[Allegra]

Ok. Instead of a post-it, make it a big yellow sign with a skull that says, “Danger! Door out of order!”

 

[Phemie]

123456

 

[jeannetherese]

We have a someone at the door to limit entry and share hand sanitizer.
That might be one way to address the issue in a older building with different sorts of entry/exit hardware.

 

[libbeylu]

The elderly at my parish was told to stay home because of the risk…That’s me…I am in shock at all the changes…some are good and others are for the protection of everyone…I just wonder when and if I will ever be able to attend church again…

 

[Norseman82]

Chicago (and perhaps all the dioceses in Illinois) is also planning on requiring reservations.