COVID-19 Updates and Temple Sinai's Response
As of June 27, 2022 (updates will be posted here as necessary)
TEMPLE POLICIES: Temple Sinai has ended the requirement to provide proof of vaccination to participate in services and other events. Otherwise, we have NOT changed our COVID protocols.
• All people entering the Temple building for all events and all visits must wear either a surgical mask or an N95/KN95 mask. Cloth masks alone are not sufficient. Disposable surgical masks are available at the Temple, including children-sized masks. Masks may be removed in the building only for eating and by worship leaders who have a recent negative test result.
• No one with COVID symptoms (fever, chills, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) is permitted to enter the Temple building, even if COVID is not believed to be the cause.
• Although we no longer require proof of vaccination, we still strongly encourage everyone (including children) to get initial vaccinations and boosters when they are eligible.
All Rhode Island counties are now rated as "low" for COVID case numbers and hospitalizations. These numbers have been in decline for the past five weeks. The Temple will review our policies as the numbers continue to fall.
STATE OF THE PANDEMIC
COVID-19 is moving from a pandemic to an endemic disease. Endemic means that a disease is manageable. With vaccine, testing, treatment, and masks, we have the supply and tools we need to prevent serious illness and to protect our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
VACCINES: State-run COVID-19 community vaccination clinics and at-home vaccination services will be available through June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, people who want to get vaccinated or boosted can call their healthcare providers or use other options available at Covid.ri.gov/vaccination, such as retail pharmacies and www.vaccines.gov/
TESTING: Depending on community risk levels at the end of this month, testing will also transition from State-run COVID-19 test sites to multiple traditional healthcare channels and self-testing options. There will still be many places where Rhode Islanders are able to access free COVID-19 testing, beginning July 1, 2022.
Federal programs are available to support access to free COVID-19 testing for people without health insurance. If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive, call your primary care provider or your child’s pediatrician. Ask if they offer COVID-19 testing in their office or if they can order a test through a laboratory. Other testing options include:
The State is fully prepared to reopen certain mass testing sites for symptomatic individuals if COVID-19 Community Levels are high. If most of the State moves to the “high” Community Level at the end of the month, sites will remain open until Community Levels return to medium.
TREATMENT: If you test positive for COVID-19, are age 12 or older, and have mild to moderate symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away and ask about treatment. Treatment is most important if you are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. The earlier you start treatment, the more effective it is.
VACCINES FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN FIVE:
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet on June 14-15 to discuss authorization of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than age five. As has been our practice, the Rhode Island Department of Health will wait for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend vaccines for children younger than five before making them available in Rhode Island. We expect the CDC to make its statement shortly after its advisory committee (ACIP) meets on June 21-22.
Pending CDC’s recommendation, we expect that vaccines for this age group will be available in Rhode Island the week of June 27. These vaccines are made specifically for this age group and have to be ordered and delivered. They will be available at locations across the state, such as healthcare provider offices, CVS Minute Clinics, retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and hospitals. Please speak with your healthcare provider about whether they are offering COVID-19 vaccine for this age group.
TEMPLE POLICIES: Temple Sinai has ended the requirement to provide proof of vaccination to participate in services and other events. Otherwise, we have NOT changed our COVID protocols.
• All people entering the Temple building for all events and all visits must wear either a surgical mask or an N95/KN95 mask. Cloth masks alone are not sufficient. Disposable surgical masks are available at the Temple, including children-sized masks. Masks may be removed in the building only for eating and by worship leaders who have a recent negative test result.
• No one with COVID symptoms (fever, chills, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) is permitted to enter the Temple building, even if COVID is not believed to be the cause.
• Although we no longer require proof of vaccination, we still strongly encourage everyone (including children) to get initial vaccinations and boosters when they are eligible.
All Rhode Island counties are now rated as "low" for COVID case numbers and hospitalizations. These numbers have been in decline for the past five weeks. The Temple will review our policies as the numbers continue to fall.
STATE OF THE PANDEMIC
COVID-19 is moving from a pandemic to an endemic disease. Endemic means that a disease is manageable. With vaccine, testing, treatment, and masks, we have the supply and tools we need to prevent serious illness and to protect our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
VACCINES: State-run COVID-19 community vaccination clinics and at-home vaccination services will be available through June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, people who want to get vaccinated or boosted can call their healthcare providers or use other options available at Covid.ri.gov/vaccination, such as retail pharmacies and www.vaccines.gov/
TESTING: Depending on community risk levels at the end of this month, testing will also transition from State-run COVID-19 test sites to multiple traditional healthcare channels and self-testing options. There will still be many places where Rhode Islanders are able to access free COVID-19 testing, beginning July 1, 2022.
Federal programs are available to support access to free COVID-19 testing for people without health insurance. If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive, call your primary care provider or your child’s pediatrician. Ask if they offer COVID-19 testing in their office or if they can order a test through a laboratory. Other testing options include:
- Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) for COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ICATT program can help you find where to get a free COVID-19 laboratory test whether or not you have insurance.
- Test To Treat Program: Through this program, people can get tested and, if they’re positive and treatments are appropriate for them, get a prescription from a healthcare provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. A Test to Treat locator is available to help find participating sites. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 to get help in multiple languages.
- Self-test distribution program: You can order free COVID-19 tests through the mail by visiting covidtests.gov. You won’t be asked for insurance or payment information when you order your free tests. If you have health insurance, you can also purchase self-test kits online or at local pharmacies and get reimbursed for up to eight tests per month. Contact your insurance carrier for more information.
- Some local pharmacies and clinics offer free COVID-19 testing to people who don’t have health insurance. These locations may only test you if have symptoms or are a close contact of someone who tested positive. If you don’t have insurance, the pharmacy or clinic will submit the cost of your test to a federal program for the uninsured.
The State is fully prepared to reopen certain mass testing sites for symptomatic individuals if COVID-19 Community Levels are high. If most of the State moves to the “high” Community Level at the end of the month, sites will remain open until Community Levels return to medium.
TREATMENT: If you test positive for COVID-19, are age 12 or older, and have mild to moderate symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away and ask about treatment. Treatment is most important if you are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. The earlier you start treatment, the more effective it is.
VACCINES FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN FIVE:
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet on June 14-15 to discuss authorization of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than age five. As has been our practice, the Rhode Island Department of Health will wait for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend vaccines for children younger than five before making them available in Rhode Island. We expect the CDC to make its statement shortly after its advisory committee (ACIP) meets on June 21-22.
Pending CDC’s recommendation, we expect that vaccines for this age group will be available in Rhode Island the week of June 27. These vaccines are made specifically for this age group and have to be ordered and delivered. They will be available at locations across the state, such as healthcare provider offices, CVS Minute Clinics, retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and hospitals. Please speak with your healthcare provider about whether they are offering COVID-19 vaccine for this age group.
