RA Angotti, Chief Instructor
Thank you
It is not lost on me that many of you may be suffering in a variety of ways during this pandemic. Managing your risk and taking care of yourselves and your families during this time demands a higher level of emotional fortitude and stamina. I understand that aikido is a privilege in times like these. Aikido is a practice that we can afford to engage in only when or physical and financial health is assured.
Over these past several months our aikido members have been dedicated to keeping this practice alive in hopes that we can continue training well into the future. I am very grateful to all of you for that support!
Risk Assessment and Goals
Beginning the week of September 15th, we are making some adjustments to the schedule while we assess COVID conditions in our area. There are a variety of resources I use to evaluate risk. These include the state of ND assessments and recommendations along with other mentioned in this post.
As I state in this post, it is important to continually express and evaluate the goals of treatment. In the case of COVID-19 treatment involves a combination of social distancing measures, mask and sanitation use, restrictions on crowd sizes, testing and tracking of cases, and in some situations “stay at home” orders.
The goals of this treatment would be the following.
- Reduce unnecessary deaths
- Protect medical personnel and essential workers
- Protect the educational opportunities of our young people
- Preserve the economic foundation necessary for a post COVID recovery
- Preserve the social cohesion necessary for peaceful coexistence
- Return to normal fulfilling lives
The state of ND currently lists risk in our county as:
“Green/Low Risk Level — This is the level of
low risk for exposure and when transmission is controlled in the jurisdiction AND health criteria is met. Group gatherings are limited by certificate ofoccupancy for the room or seating area according to industry-specific Smart Restart protocols and social distancing is maintained. Cancel gatherings of any size where distancing cannot be maintained.”
Request of Members
In order for us to practice we simply cannot maintain social distancing. When we practice together we are like a family sharing a home. Whatever illness one of us, the others are likely to have. It is essential that we all take managing our risk level outside of practice seriously. When we are successful in managing of the spread of this disease it always looks like we are over-reacting.
Schedule Changes
Beginning the week of September 14th all classes will be held at the dojo. Classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday will now be body art classes open to all members. We will continue with the sign-up genius protocol for members and visitors until the COVID risk level is lower.
All children’s classes will return to the regular class time of 4:25-5:15. All children are welcome to come to each of these classes. Children with an orange belt or above are encouraged to consider practice in adult classes. Consult with the Chief Instructor of permission before signing up.
No member should feel obligated to return to practice. However all participating members should follow the recommendations below:
- Members who have contracted coronavirus should quarantine for 10 days and have no fever for at least 48 hours. Please contact the dojo immediately when you have tested positive or become sick.
- Members who have been exposed to someone that has tested positive practice should quarantine for a full 14 days and contact the dojo immediately.
- Members should wash their uniforms regularly.
- Members should wash their hands before and after each practice.
- Cleaning solutions will be available in all restrooms. Members should clean all contact surfaces before and after use.
- Soap and water should be used for cleaning the mat. The mat should be cleaned thoroughly after each class.
- All contact surfaces at the desk, entry door, in the hallway and at the entrance/exit to the building should be thoroughly cleaned after class.
- A sign up form will be posted for each weeks classes on Sunday. Indoor classes will be limited to 8 members on a first come first serve basis.
- Visitors are welcome but will be required to wear a mask while observing. Visitors will also need to sign up for class in order to observe.
Classes may be cancelled as needed based upon the state risk assessment and the observance of increased COVID cases in our area.
