Updated April 7, 2020
The Eastbrook Church medical advisory team is monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our church community. The situation continues to be fluid and rapidly changing. If you have any questions or concerns, the latest information will be communicated on this page, eastbrook.org/wellness, as well as the weekly email newsletter. Any more urgent news affecting the church body will be sent by additional emails. If you are not getting the weekly newsletter and would like to, you can sign up here. Additional up to date professional recommendations can be obtained at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Milwaukee Health Department.
Our church continues to follow professional recommendations to limit the spread of the virus. The church campus is currently closed to all activities except the Bread of Healing Clinic and the Food Pantry. The status of the current stay home timeframe, currently April 30, means that Eastbrook ministries will continue to function under the current guidelines until then. Bread of Healing Clinic and the Food Pantry will continue as is unless their situation changes.
Even though our offices are currently only open by phone, we have pastors on call from 8 am to 6 pm for all needs, and during evenings and weekends for all emergencies. You can access the pastor on call by dialing 414.228.5220 and then pressing 4 when the pre-recorded message starts.
Everyone is feeling isolated and frightened. Please continue to reach out by phone or web with everyone you can. Go for a walk. If you are connected through a ministry or group, reach out to them. If you don’t have any of these connections, call the office to get connected. The church staff is committed to serving you and helping in any way possible. You are not alone. Our Lord is here and Eastbrook is fully available to Him to care for you.
Current recommendations for our area:
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home except for essential activities
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Follow the new physical distancing recommendation to wear simple masks in public. Please reserve hospital masks for hospital workers. Cloth masks or scarves are acceptable.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Given the absence of a vaccine or medication for COVID-19, a healthy immune system can help protect you and speed recovery from infection. Ways to boost your immunity include adequate sleep, minimizing stress, tobacco avoidance, maintaining a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, vitamin C, and regular exercise.
- If you have concerns about symptoms you have or are wondering about going to the hospital or asking for testing, you may call this COVID hotline for instructions: 1-833-981-0711.