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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>President Riccobono prepared this message yesterday. We know people have questions so I am simply forwarding his message to all of you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please stay safe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></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, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 12, 2020 9:00 AM<br><b>To:</b> State Presidents <StatePresidents@nfb.org><br><b>Subject:</b> National Federation of the Blind Response to COVID-19<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind Response to COVID-19</span><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The news has been dominated lately by information about the COVID-19 outbreak. This message will share what the National Federation of the Blind is doing and recommending. Please know that this is a topic that the leadership group continues to monitor and discuss on a daily basis. The health and safety of all of our members, staff, and friends is always our top priority.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><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><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>National Convention and National Headquarters </span><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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>At our national headquarters, the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, we are taking extra precautions and implementing sanitation and safety measures to keep our members, visitors, and staff safe. We are evaluating our planned meetings and tours and will communicate with participants regarding the status of previously planned events. While we have postponed certain large-scale national meetings, we continue to host a number of smaller meetings where the risk factors are low. These factors are being constantly reviewed.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Large State Meetings and Conventions</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Based on current information, the national leadership recommends that state conventions or other events should be continued as appropriate while monitoring local conditions and directives. Affiliate leadership should monitor and follow any directives or guidelines issued by public health officials in your state or area that are specific to outbreaks there. The local circumstances should be the strongest guide for adjusting statewide meetings. State leaders are asked to coordinate their plans with the President of the Federation so assistance can be provided and clear lines of communication can be maintained across the nation.</span><o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If an event is proceeding, take appropriate precautions and let members know about the details of those precautions or updated information. Please review the general guidance for executing meetings during COVID-19 offered below.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If an event is cancelled, appropriate messaging should be distributed through all relevant channels. </span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Local Chapter Meetings and Events</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Like state meetings, our current recommendation is that local leadership should continue activities as appropriate while monitoring local conditions and directives. Local chapter meeting changes should be coordinated with the affiliate president.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5'><![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'>Communicate to members that they should decide their level of participation based on their own health and safety. Be sure to utilize the general guidance for executing meetings found below. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5'><![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'>Local chapters should communicate with meeting locations to understand what precautions those facilities are taking to support hosted meetings.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5'><![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 may want to secure supplies to assist members in keeping the meeting environment as free of germs as possible.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5'><![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'>Local leaders should ensure that clear communication plans exist for sharing updated information to members.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo5'><![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'>For meetings of small chapters or of chapter or division boards, leaders might consider using a service like Zoom or FreeConferenceCall.com to conduct virtual meetings as a temporary measure if local circumstances do not permit public meetings.</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><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>General Guidance for Executing Meetings</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The most important prophylactic 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><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo8'>We should refrain from handshakes or physical contact like hugs, etc. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo8'>Hands should be washed frequently and/or hand sanitizer should be used liberally. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo8'>It should be recognized that serving food at Federation meetings is a potential exposure point. We recommend considering eliminating food at Federation events during the current circumstances. However, if food is to be served extra attention should be given to best practices for serving food and keeping surfaces clean. Specifically, anyone serving food should wear gloves, and before serving, hands, serving surfaces, and serving instruments should be sanitized.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Again, w<span style='color:#333333'>e will continue to monitor </span>all aspects of this situation <span style='color:#333333'>as they develop</span>, focusing first and foremost on the health and safety of everyone in our Federation family<span style='color:#333333'>. I wish you, your families, and your colleagues the best as we </span>address <span style='color:#333333'>these challenges. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333'>Warmly, </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333'>Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mark A. Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(410) 659-9314 | <a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org"><span style='color:blue'>officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1875in;height:.7916in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt=Facebook></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt=Twitter></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt=Youtube></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <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>