First, let me thank you all for your patience and support this past couple weeks. I have taken two different COVID tests since hearing of spread within the dojo community. I have tested negative on both. My plan is to begin teaching adult classes Monday evening. Children’s class will resume on Thursday the 23rd. Any members attending class should follow the recommendations I will below.
Reason for Concern and Action
Above is a chart of increasing cases in Cass County published Friday, September 17th. As cases rise we must once again measure the risk to the most vulnerable in our community. The good news is that among those in Cass County over the age of 65, 80% are fully vaccinated. Unfortunately, the segment of our population that is now likely the most vulnerable are those under 12 who are not eligible for vaccinations.
In order to assess risk and manage responsibility I try to stay informed of important pandemic data. This week I was struck by this information in particular.
Increasing Risk of Severe illness in Children
Throughout the past year there have been 355 deaths from COVID among children under 18 years of age. Nearly a third (28%) of those deaths have occurred within the last month. Moreover, children under 12 just returned to school at the time that delta cases were on the rise. None of these Children are eligible for the vaccines and the delta variant is much more infectious than the strain in the community last fall.
Meanwhile, the number of fully vaccinated adults in the Cass County population is below 50% and cold weather is moving groups of people back indoors. It has been described as “inevitable” by the director of the Center for Infectious Disease that we will see severe illness and death among those under 12 years of age in the coming weeks. Fortunately, the severity of illness is often much lower for children. Nevertheless, I believe that North Wind Aikikai has an ethical responsibility to protect these children and I will be implementing protocols toward that end.
Protocol for Instuctors
I am requiring all instructors (or assistant instructors) at North Wind Aikikai be fully vaccinated or have proof of a positive infection followed by a the appropriate quarantine. Instructors should not teach classes if they have acquired any of the symptoms listed below, or had any know exposure within the past 10 days. Although this may result in sudden changes in the schedule I believe we should error on the side of caution at this time.
Notes from the CDC…
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Protocol for Members
It is advised that all eligible members be vaccinated if they have not had a clear confirmation of COVID infection. It is also advised that those who have been infected consult with their physician about supplementing their naturally acquired immunity with a vaccination. It appears that the durability of immunity (how long the immunity lasts) from both prior infections and vaccines remains unclear.
All members should follow the same protocol as instructors with regard to symptoms and exposure. Although it may appear that you “just have a cold” we must remember that a cold is acquired in the same way COIVD is and may present in the same manner. If you can catch a cold, you can catch COVID. Additionally, we must remember that we are trying to protect others in our community, people we would never know, as well as ourselves with these precautions.
Members and their families are advised to practice social distancing outside of the dojo. It is recommended during this time of rising cases that everyone avoid unnecessary indoor contact with people who that they do not know, or who have not been vaccinated. It is advised that members and their families use properly fitted masks in public.
Embracing the Unknown
Life is always more pleasant when we have the freedom to pursue whatever our curiosities and passions aspire us toward. However, we have acquired tremendous control over our environment as a species. No other earthly critter has had such a dramatic effect on its environment. Nature has always found a way to restore balance when a population exceeds the limits of an ecological equilibrium. Pandemics are inevitable when a population increases dramatically in size and pushes deeper and deeper into the wilderness. As painful as this pandemic is, it provides an opportunity for us to restore some humility and recognize that our connections to each other and our planet require co-operation. I hope that we adults can embrace this calling and restore a future for our younger generation that once again has endless possibilities.
