[MN-at-Large] Convention COVID Policy with Added Details

[David Andrews]

>
>Since distributing our original COVID convention 
>policy which was in the convention notice, we 
>have tried to make our process better by adding 
>some details.  Please read the following and let 
>me know if you have any questions.
>
>
>
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>State Convention COVID Safety Policy and Additional Details
>
>The NFBMN Board of Directors and several members 
>have worked diligently to put in place protocols 
>to make the convention as welcoming and safe as 
>possible for all attendees. While discussions 
>around health and safety can be viewed as 
>political, our goal is to keep our attendees 
>safe knowing many of our members have multiple 
>risk factors. It should be recognized that some 
>feel any testing is an intrusion while others 
>feel requirements should be even more rigid. 
>Often, what people find unpleasant about being 
>tested is having someone else invading their 
>space. We can assist you in performing 
>everything relating to your test yourself except 
>for reading the final results. This should make testing more pleasant.
>
>
>
>To be successful, we need each person attending 
>the convention to follow the policy and 
>procedures below which includes details not 
>available when it was originally distributed.
>
>
>    * Before you leave home, we recommend taking 
> a rapid COVID-19 test, as this will reduce the 
> chances of community spread and inconvenience 
> to you. We are testing all attendees after 
> arrival and are not accepting advance proof of a negative test.
>    * Immediately upon arriving at the 
> hotel­before saying hello/hugging friends, 
> visiting the registration area, and visiting 
> the restaurant­please proceed to the Cardinal 
> Perch room on the second floor. We will provide 
> you with a test kit and, if needed, help you 
> take the test. Those who test negative will 
> receive a wristband that we require you to wear throughout the convention.
>    * The testing room will be staffed at these times:
>        * Friday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
>        * Saturday: 7 a.m. to approximately 10 a.m.
>        * Additional testing can be arranged at 
> any time by calling or texting Daniel Ashman at (612) 547-9821.
>
>    * If you test positive and you believe it to 
> be an error, please request additional tests 
> from a different manufacturer. If two negative 
> test results are achieved, we will assume that 
> the positive result was not accurate.
>    * Members of the Federation will ask to 
> touch your wristband as you enter various 
> meetings. While it is not required, you are 
> welcome to remove it from your wrist and hand 
> it to the marshal; this will add additional 
> social distance. Those who do not have a 
> wristband will be asked to take a test before entering the meeting.
>    * As a preventative measure, we strongly 
> urge you to wear a face covering that fully 
> covers your mouth and nose in all meetings 
> (understanding that you will need to remove it 
> to eat and drink). While you are presenting to 
> the meeting, you may  decide whether or not to wear a mask.
>    * We will have masks of different styles 
> available at the registration table. Certain 
> masks will offer less resistance to breathing, 
> and some are more comfortable than 
> others.  Finding a mask that is most comfortable is important and we can help.
>    * Take any symptoms of illness you 
> experience seriously. If you are experiencing 
> symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we ask that 
> you please take an additional test. Test kits 
> will be available at the registration table and 
> by calling/texting Daniel Ashman at the above number.
>    * Recognize that among convention attendees 
> there exists a range of comfort levels 
> regarding COVID-19, and others may have risk 
> factors that are unknown to you. In the spirit 
> of the Federation community, please be 
> respectful. We want everyone to enjoy the 
> convention experience. When in doubt, let us 
> assume that each of us has good intentions.
>
>
>
>Thank you in advance for helping us to make  our 
>convention as safe as it can be.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Best regards,
>
>
>
>Steve Jacobson, President
>
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
>
><http://www.nfbmn.org/>www.nfbmn.org
>
>(612) 872-9363
>
>www.nfb.org
>
>Live the life you Want.
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