TO: Legion, SAL, Auxiliary & Guests FROM: Adam Boettiger, Commander SUBJECT: 65 or older and anyone with a pre-existing medical condition Click here to return to the Phase 1 Reopening Announcement. Hi Folks, As we prepare for our Conditional Phase 1 Reopening of Post 56 this afternoon, I’d like to address our membership, but particularly those of you who may be in the high-risk category for COVID-19. I’ve fielded a few phone calls and questions from members about our reopening. I’ll try to clarify them here. This is specifically addressed to those of you who are 65 and older and anyone any age in our membership who has an underlying medical condition. It’s important that you understand the following information, included here directly from the CDC: “COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are: People 65 years and older People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including: – People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma – People who have serious heart conditions – People who are immunocompromised (Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.) – People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher) – People with diabetes – People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis – People with liver disease” //END CDC QUOTE// Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html I am likely not sharing anything with you that you don’t already know, but more than anyone else it’s critical that you do not take exposure risks. The State has mandated that all workers (staff) and volunteers wear face coverings or masks. Our position at Post 56 is that we are “Strongly Recommending” that all patrons / members wear face covering or a mask; however, we realize that the logistics of consuming beverages or smoking make wearing a mask at all times impractical. This means our staff will be wearing face covering, but that there may be a small number of individuals at the post who are not masked. Masks play a particularly important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Studies have shown that there is a 79% reduction in transmission if you and the people around you are wearing masks. The inside of the post is (obviously) not as well-ventilated as the outdoors or backyard is. This virus is spread through respiratory droplets that can occur during normal conversation. This is especially true if the other person is unmasked. Droplets can remain in the air for several minutes, so it is possible with people walking around indoors that there may be a significant risk to those who are over 65 or anyone who has a medical condition. Therefore, if you fall into the High-Risk category as outlined above by the CDC, I strongly urge you to avoid the inside of the post during Phase 1. Use the backyard. We miss you. We want to see you, but not at the expense of your health or your life. There is a significantly higher risk for you specifically of being in an enclosed environment with unmasked persons, much more so than if you were to sit at a picnic table in the backyard with 6 feet of distancing. Of course I understand that you are going to do what you wish, but ultimately it’s my responsibility to try to keep everyone as safe as possible, so I wanted you to at least have this information. My strong recommendation is that any of our members who are in the high-risk category either not visit the post during Phase 1 or use the backyard rather than indoors. We have arranged for our bartenders to take drink orders from and serve to the backyard. As always, I can be reached directly by email commander@sherwoodlegion.org or phone (503) 308-3063 with any questions. Adam Boettiger, Commander Argonne Post 56 Sherwood American Legion Click here to return to the Phase 1 Reopening Announcement. |