To the people of the NWIM Synod,

I interrupt my vacation time to urge you to make yourselves aware of new CDC guidelines on mask wearing indoors, even for vaccinated individuals.

As always, the stance of the Synod is to strongly encourage you to follow the guidance of the CDC & State Health departments for your area.

It is heartbreaking to make some progress forward, & then have to take steps backward. Please be mindful of your own emotional responses.

Kyrie Eleison!

+Bishop Kristen Kuempel

Links:

• CDC COVID-19 Homepage: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

• Guidance for People Fully Vaccinated: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

• COVID Transmissions by County (interactive map): https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view