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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Federation family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>President</span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> president@nfbmd.org [mailto:president@nfbmd.org] <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 11, 2020 10:27 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org' <nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> NFBMD in the Time of COVID-19<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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 <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019">World Health Organization (WHO)</a></span> or the <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">Centers for Disease Control (CDC).</a> </span>Users of NFB-NEWSLINE® can also access the latest information in the breaking news section.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2>National Convention and National Headquarters <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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 (<span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">nfb.org/convention</a></span>) regarding the status of the event and any related precautions to be taken.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2>Large Events<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2>Local Chapter Meetings and Events<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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..</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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..</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>General Guidance for Executing Meetings<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>We should refrain from handshakes or physical contact like hugs, etc. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Hands should be washed frequently and/or hand sanitizer should be used liberally. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ronza<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> <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></div></body></html>