Summer events and covid precautions

I like the part where you make provisions for the group 4 people.  

A lot of the things that we know prevent the spread are also things that are often good for our health.  Having good airflow in a building or spending as much time outside as one can is positive for health in general.  The local health authorities say it's the third most important thing we can do (the washing hands with soap and water - not sanitiser - and staying 2 meters apart are the first two things according to them).  Same with eating healthy food.  

Providing an area they can social distance and a safe place for them to wear PPE if it makes them more comfortable is a great idea!  

If it can avoid shaming in either direction, that would be an awesome thing.  Someone doesn't want to wear a mask, they can still respect the boundaries of the person who wants to wear a mask.  No mask = no closeness.

I'm not sure what sleeping accommodations are planned, but I know I've opted out of an event where I would have shared a bedroom with others. And that's the point where I could no longer justify attending, even though opting out was an expensive decision (the event was prepaid pre-pandemic and it was expensive). Sleeping in the same room as another individual for several hours, even with social distancing, is not something I was comfortable with then, and I'd be even less comfortable with now, even with distancing.

So I'd make sure that all sleeping arrangements are clear to everyone involved, perhaps matching people with the same category of concern (so they can agree on rules together) or prioritize single accommodations for higher risk individuals (the #4s).

Same thing for bathroom/outhouse arrangements. If several are available, then perhaps have "low risk" and "high risk" ones. Everyone using the "high risk" bathroom would agree to wear a mask and disinfect surfaces after use. People who don't want to bother could use the general bathroom/outhouse.

The other elements I'd think about would be:

- agreeing to disclose any future illness to the other participants (If I do get COVID symptoms in the days following the event, I will let the organizers know in a timely manner. )

- having an open discussion about everyone's expectations about social distancing, and agreeing that the burden of social distancing is on the moving person.  (Maybe even have some form of badge or pin that says "Please stay away from me" if it's too hard to remember. ) It is very stressful to have to constantly guard one's boundaries and back-off as others approach.

I'd also suggest being mindful of people's mental health relative to COVID.

The pandemic affected a lot of things going beyond the actual practicalities of sharing bits of DNA. I, for one, have started having nightmares where I find myself unmasked in dense social settings

People can come into the event with fragile mindsets. For many, that might be the first significant social event they're attending in over a year, and social interaction might be clumsy. Especially for introverts or people for whom social niceties are more learned than innate.

Some people might find themselves having panic attacks even though their objective risk is low. Others might have a lot of pent-up anger.

I think that acknowledging that publicly at the start of the event and allowing for an extra dose of goodwill and kindness goes a long way.

And perhaps agreeing for some kind of safe word or sign to say "I'm really not doing well right now, let's change the topic/let me go away without having to explain why".

Mental health is important.  I think there's also 2 sides to this one. Group 3 people maybe fully tired of being closed up. Idk what to do but general respect and no shaming either way is a great start.  I dont mask but I respect others social distance unless I know them personally and know their stance. A lot of people are group 3 but go along with masks because their tired of being harassed in permies.

Kena Landry wrote:I'm not sure what sleeping accommodations are planned, but I know I've opted out of an event where I would have shared a bedroom with others. And that's the point where I could no longer justify attending, even though opting out was an expensive decision (the event was prepaid pre-pandemic and it was expensive). Sleeping in the same room as another individual for several hours, even with social distancing, is not something I was comfortable with then, and I'd be even less comfortable with now, even with distancing.

The majority of the people at the events will be camping, I think. Some might be in the Fisher Price Bunkroom, or a slumber party at Cooper Cabin. There's some other rentals at Wheaton Labs, most of which are rented by an individual or couple (for the PDC and PTJ, most of those are already taken by instructors). I think people who are interested in social distancing would likely pitch a tent (which is free). There's acres and acres of land at Wheaton Labs, so it should be pretty easy to pitch your tent in privacy away from others. There's also tents at Wheaton Labs for people to rent, if they are unable to bring their own tent.  

Could you clarify if masks are required or recommended for the summer events?

Will the instructors be wearing masks while teaching?

Opalyn Rose wrote:Could you clarify if masks are required or recommended for the summer events?

Will the instructors be wearing masks while teaching?

If the instructors and 22 students have already had covid, or received the vaccination, then those people will certainly choose to not wear masks.  

In the scenario we are embracing, there will be two people that have not received the vaccination nor have they had covid - that they know of.  

I think that the category 4 person will probably wear a mask.  

I think that the category 3 person will probably not wear a mask.  And if we say "you must" then they will state that they are actually category 1 or 2.  

The coronavirus numbers for the last few days are about a third of what they were a month ago.