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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.<br><br>
<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br>
State Convention COVID Safety Policy and Additional Details<br><br>
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. <br><br>
<br><br>
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. <br><br>
<ol>
<li>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.<br>
<li>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. <br>
<li>The testing room will be staffed at these times:
<ol>
<li>Friday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
<li>Saturday: 7 a.m. to approximately 10 a.m.
<li>Additional testing can be arranged at any time by calling or texting
Daniel Ashman at (612) 547-9821. <br><br>
</ol>
<li>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.<br>
<li>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.<br>
<li>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.<br>
<li>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. <br>
<li>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.<br>
<li>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.<br><br>
</ol> <br><br>
Thank you in advance for helping us to make our convention as safe
as it can be.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Best regards,<br><br>
<br><br>
Steve Jacobson, President<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org/">www.nfbmn.org</a><br><br>
(612) 872-9363<br><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
Live the life you Want.<br>
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