Since we’ve taken the two-day pause upon receiving information that we had some positive COVID-19 cases, unfortunately, there have been a number of additional cases and exposures that have developed from interactions that took place before the two-day pause was put into place.

As a result, unfortunately, the only option that we have to ensure the safety of our members, and to stop the potential for transmission is to cancel in-person services for the remainder of the Feast here in Bend-Redmond.

It is certainly not what any of us hoped for, and isn’t an easy decision to make, but it is the right one.

We have contact traced all of the exposures that we are aware of – and if you have been exposed, you need to assume that any symptoms at this point which develop are COVID-19 unless proven otherwise. If you have been exposed, please quarantine yourselves to the best of your ability whether you are experiencing symptoms or not.

It may be wise if you know that you’ve been exposed and it is early in your progression to make your way home before symptoms worsen. My wife and I experienced this very scenario on our anniversary this August, and thankfully were able to make it home with precautions in place before we all ended up succumbing to COVID.

The vast majority of transmission has taken place at in-home gatherings where people are not wearing masks. Should you choose to remain in Bend-Redmond for the remainder of the Feast – please take the necessary precautions. If you are certain that you have been exposed, (more than 15 minutes unmasked with a known or presumptive positive) whether you are experiencing symptoms or not, please do not get together with anyone outside of your immediate household. If you are not experiencing symptoms, and have not been knowingly exposed, please take necessary precautions to limit the possibility of exposure in case you have been unknowingly exposed.

We want to stop the transmission at the point of the two-day pause, and so far, we have managed to do that. All additional cases and positives have come from interactions which took place before that time.

This certainly puts a challenge before a number of you at this time, and we recognize and appreciate that difficulty, but we appreciate your patience, and your understanding as we endeavor to protect our brethren and enable them to come before their God again next year at the Feast of Tabernacles.

There may be some of you who are in need of assistance at this point given your individual scenarios – if you need help with anything, please call our Festival Office number (503) 949-2504.