DEDHAM, Mass. — Four days after Dedham’s Board of Health rescinded a cease-and-desist order directed at Victory Baptist Church, Pastor Nick White welcomed members Sunday to live services, the church’s first in months.
"I think the key is being responsible and opening up churches safely," White said. "We also have an obligation by God to preach the gospel and to gather as a church."
Victory Baptist attempted a gathering on Mother's Day weekend, which prompted the Board of Health’s action. But, with churches covered under Gov. Charlie Baker's Phase 1 Reopening Plan, the Board cleared it to open last week.
"This week is just kind of an experimental week for us," White said. "So we'll see how things go."
Experimental in the sense that church members were subject to safety rules and checks, including fever checks at the front door, distribution of gloves and masks and reservation-only seating so as to guarantee physical distancing.
"We are also holding the service to an hour at the longest, just to reduce the exposure," White said.
Church services have become notorious for triggering outbreaks of COVID-19.
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Recently, more than 40 people tested positive in Frankfurt, Germany after attending services several weeks ago.
And about 40% of those attending services at a church in Arkansas during the winter wound up testing positive for the virus. More staggering was the 87% of those infected with COVID-19 at a Washington State church choir practice back in March.
And churches in Massachusetts may be opening at a precarious time. A new study from the Imperial College of London puts the state among 23 others where the pandemic is still not under control.
The study defines 'control' using the R0 or 'R naught,' a measure of how many others can be infected by a single person. If R0 falls below 1, then an epidemic is considered under control. At present, the study estimates Massachusetts R0 is just above 1 at 1.1, which is far below its peak of 2.5 to 5.5.
The problem is a new variable has entered the equation in that residents are beginning to move around and interact more with each other. Some fear that could trigger a new wave of infections.
Victory Baptist Church member Robert Peterson wasn't worried about getting infected as he arrived for Sunday's service.
"I feel outstandingly great," he said.
Asked if he felt safe going back to church, he said, “as safe as possible.”
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