[NFB-Maryland] NFBMD in the Time of COVID-19 - Important Update - In-Person Events and Meetings Canceled Through April 12, 2020

Sat Mar 14 00:00:15 UTC 2020

Federation family,

In order to ensure the health and safety of our members and supporters in
light of the COVID-19 outbreak, NFBMD and its chapters and divisions will be
suspending all in-person meetings and events until some time after April 12,
2020.  Basket & Bag Bingo will be postponed to May 1, 2020, and the April 4
NFBMD Bid for Opportunity Scholarship Dinner and Auction will be postponed
to a date yet to be determined.  The National Harbor Tenth Anniversary
Celebration that was scheduled for tomorrow, March 14, is canceled.
Tomorrow's Greater Carroll County Chapter meeting is cancelled, and the
Sligo Creek Chapter meeting will meet by phone.  The March 19 TLC Chapter
Meeting will take place by phone.  The March 21 Parents Breakfast and Bake
Auction will be postponed to a later date.  We will share information about
additional events and chapter meetings, including the logistics for the
March 21 Greater Baltimore Chapter meeting, once the respective chapter
boards have worked them out.  If you have questions or concerns, please
don't hesitate to reach out to any chapter president, state board member, or
me.

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

From: president at nfbmd.org [mailto:president at nfbmd.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 10:27 PM
To: 'nfb-maryland at nfbnet.org' <nfb-maryland at nfbnet.org>
Subject: NFBMD in the Time of COVID-19

Dear Federation Family,

I am writing to you to explain what the National Federation of the Blind,
the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, and our chapters are doing
regarding meetings and events during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Your health and
safety is very important to us.  The affiliate is working very closely with
the National Federation of the Blind National Office, particularly President
Riccobono, as well as receiving briefings and having regular conversations
with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of
Disabilities. We believe the actions we are taking will minimize potential
exposure to the maximum extent practicable while allowing the affiliate and
chapters to maintain operations.  We will be constantly reassessing how we
are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak as the situation evolves and will
keep you posted of any changes.  Please see below for information.

Attending a Federation event is a personal decision to be made based upon
your current health status and, when appropriate, in consultation with
medical professionals. For the latest facts about the virus, we encourage
accessing reliable information from sources such as the World Health
Organization (WHO)
<https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019>  or the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html>  Users of
NFB-NEWSLINER can also access the latest information in the breaking news
section.

National Convention and National Headquarters 

The 2020 NFB National Convention is taking place July 14-19 in Houston,
Texas, as planned. At this time we do not believe there is a need to alter
plans for our annual meeting. We will continue to evaluate the situation and
the needs of attendees. We will update the national convention webpage
(nfb.org/convention <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> )
regarding the status of the event and any related precautions to be taken.

Large Events

Based on current information, NFBMD will continue to hold large upcoming
events such as Basket and Bag Bingo and the Bid for Opportunity Scholarship
Dinner and Auction while monitoring local conditions and directives. The
NFBMD Board and I will continue to monitor and follow any directives or
guidelines issued by public health officials such as that issued by the
Governor's Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of
Disabilities. We will also continue to coordinate with President Riccobono
so that we maximize opportunities for guidance and adhere to national policy
determinations.

Local Chapter Meetings and Events

We will continue to hold local chapter meetings and events in person as
planned.  Any changes will be coordinated among the chapter leadership and
affiliate president and will be communicated to the membership as soon as
practicable should a need to make a change to our plans arise.  Members
should decide their level of participation based on their own health and
safety. 

Local chapters are communicating with meeting locations to understand what
precautions those facilities are taking to support hosted meetings.  Most of
the chapters have already done this and the precautions are consistent with
or exceed requirements in CDC guidance.

.         Chapter leaders are working to secure supplies to assist members
in keeping the meeting environment as free of germs as possible, e.g. Sligo
Creek will be bringing additional soap to their meeting..

.         We will communicate updated information to members as things
change and evolve via listserves and other means.  Chapters are implementing
a communication strategy to communicate any last-minute updates/changes..

General Guidance for Executing Meetings

The most important preventative step that Federation members can take is to
encourage those who are exhibiting any type of symptoms related to a
respiratory illness to refrain from attending any organizational events. If
someone has been exposed to the virus in any way, that person should stay
away from Federation events as well. Additionally, those who are in
high-risk groups should consult with their medical professionals and
consider staying at home. At Federation events, it is critical that everyone
practice the highest level of hygiene. 

.         We should refrain from handshakes or physical contact like hugs,
etc. 

.         Hands should be washed frequently and/or hand sanitizer should be
used liberally. 

.         Food that is served at events must be served (no self-served
buffets), and all serving implements must be sanitized prior to serving.
Servers must wear gloves.

.         NFBMD has made sure that the venues it is using for Basket and Bag
Bingo and the Bid for Opportunity Scholarship Dinner have both been and will
once again prior to our events been thoroughly cleaned with CDC approved
cleaning supplies.  In addition, all NFBMD-furnished supplies will be
sanitized, and all food will be either pre-packaged, packaged individually,
or served by individuals following strict serving rules consistent with CDC
guidelines. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks,

Ronza

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

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.

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