Important update. 12 Step Meetings and Covid-19. What you need to know.
We want members to feel safe getting the help they need to stay
clean & sober. Watch the video and download the group guidelines
flier linked in the description over at YouTube. You may be in the
"roll your eyes" crowd who think any concern over Covid-19
is alarmist and unnecessary--OK stop reading and I pray that I am
dead wrong in my caution and am never in a position to say, "I
told you so.".
Eye-rolling
not appreciate in 12 Step Meetings for those who want to take flu
precautions
According to Dr. Nancy Messonnier,
director of the CDC's National Center for Immunizations and
respiratory diseases, “At some point, we are likely to see
community spread in the U.S. .." and now it has taken a foothold
in our country.
"The corona-virus produces mild
cold symptoms in about 80% of patients, Dr. Sylvie Briand, head of
WHO’s Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness division, told
reporters on Monday. About 15% of the people who contract the virus
have ended up with pneumonia, with 3% to 5% of all patients needing
intensive care, she said." This comes from an article
from cnbc.
Right now, it is probably not
widespread in the US--yet the "foothold" is here. Rumors
abound and people often go to extremes--from the "I'm in God's
hands and I accept God's will." to the conspiracy alarmists who
are convinced all governments, the CDC and WHO are lying to us and
we're all about to die except for a few rich guys in bunkers
somewhere in Iceland.
12 Step Groups have long ignored flu
season protocol. That's fine for the healthy--but so many of our
members have compromised immune systems, that maybe we should not be
so causal when infectious diseases are spreading in our communities.
I attend a 12 Step group here in
Kingman, AZ and we do take some precautions. There is antibacterial
gel on each table and we use disposable cups. But that is about it. I
would suggest that members NOT roll their eyes at those who choose to
wear masks, gloves, use the gel and step back when the hand-holding
prayer comes. I think we should start Face-timing the meetings for
those home bound, and I think we should be smart.
"This new virus represents a
tremendous public health threat," she said. "We are now
taking and will continue to take unprecedented, aggressive action to
reduce the impact of this virus ... on the communities in the US."
Messonnier
said. Rational thought and precautions for our members, our
family, in 12 Step groups is the smart and loving thing to
consider. No eye-rolling please.
