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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>On Saturday, August 28, 2021, the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors made a revision to #3 of the affiliate’s Policy on In Person Gatherings and Events. This policy remains applicable and binding on the Maryland affiliate and all of its chapters and divisions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Here is the revised policy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><a name="_Hlk81034175">NFBMD Policy on In Person Gatherings<o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'>This policy is applicable to all chapters, divisions, and the affiliate, as well as any activities, meetings, fundraisers, or in-person gatherings of an official nature.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>This policy augments any local public health requirements, including those established by the State of Maryland and the County where the event takes place. This policy is the minimum required for in-person events and activities and may be more restrictive than local guidance. However, if local public health guidance imposes additional or more restrictive requirements, the more restrictive requirements govern.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The following individuals should stay home:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals who feel sick, including experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, or those ordinarily associated with COVID-19;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals who have a pending COVID-19 test;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals who have been exposed to an individual who is known or suspected of having COVID-19;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals who purchase tickets for an event and either experience symptoms or later determine they do not feel comfortable attending a large gathering due to the pandemic may choose between requesting and receiving a full refund or donating all or part of the purchase price to the organization;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The event host must have masks on hand for individuals who do not bring their own or whose masks are damaged or soiled;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'>In-door gatherings:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Temperature screening will be conducted for all attendees of any in-person gatherings with more than 30 attendees, and anyone whose temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher will not be granted admission;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Screening will be conducted for any events with more than 30 participants, and those reporting symptoms and/or recent exposure to COVID-19 will be denied admission;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals must wear masks that fully cover their mouths and noses at all times unless actively eating and drinking, and unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation based on disability by the affiliate President or Vice Presidents; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>8.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Physical distancing is required at all events, e.g. 6 feet apart unless from the same household. For events where individuals are at round tables, no more than 6 individuals may share a table. Where tables are rectangular, only every other seat may be occupied; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>9.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Events are limited to 75% venue capacity, but where it would be difficult to ensure physical distancing as required by #8 above, capacity may be limited to 50%;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>10.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Those working the event, including guides, ticket takers, servers, etc. must wash hands frequently consistent with CDC guidance;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>11.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The event host must provide hand sanitizer and/or easy, convenient, and accessible means for event attendees to wash their hands consistent with CDC guidance;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>12.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals may only eat and drink while stationary;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>13.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Food served at any events must be prepared by a commercial kitchen that adheres to COVID-19 food preparation requirements;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>14.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals serving food must wear gloves;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'>Out-door gatherings:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>15.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals must follow the county’s requirements concerning wearing masks; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>16.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Physical distancing may be required at all events for individuals not from the same household, e.g. 6 feet apart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>17.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Those working the event, including guides, ticket takers, servers, etc. must frequently wash hands consistent with CDC guidance;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>18.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The event host must provide hand sanitizer and/or easy, convenient, and accessible means for event attendees to wash their hands consistent with CDC guidance;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>19.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals may only eat and drink while stationary;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>20.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Food served at any events is recommended to be prepared by a commercial kitchen that adheres to COVID-19 food preparation requirements;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>21.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Individuals serving food must wear gloves;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81034175'></span><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>