Coronavirus Contingency Plan for the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club
March 7, 2020
HMFSC has the safety of the club and the community at the forefront. It is with this goal in mind that we present to you our plan for Coronavirus protection. This plan will address important steps we can all take to protect the health of our club members and our surrounding community.
What is Coronavirus?
Its official name is COVID-19, and it is a new virus affecting thousands of people world-wide. COVID-19 has been confirmed in the United States, and authorities are taking preventative and precautionary measures to prevent the continued spread.
Coronaviruses are like other types of viruses that can affect humans and animals. This family of viruses can spread person-to person, and in some cases animal-to-person. It is spread mainly through droplets in the air which are aspired by humans through coughing or sneezing. It is still unclear if the COVID-19 virus can remain viable on surfaces, such as doorknobs and handrails. If so, it is thought the length of time for survival would be a matter minutes to hours – not days.
What steps can you take to prevent the spread of this virus?
General hygiene measures are recommended by the CDC (www.cdc.gov), which are the same recommendations for other types of viruses, such as the flu:
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Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
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If soap and warm water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
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Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not on your hands
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Use tissues when touching your face, such as nose, eyes, or mouth
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Keep surfaces cleaned regularly with regular household cleaning sprays or wipes
What steps is HMFSC taking to prevent the spread of the virus?
Because HMFSC uses the rink at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), HMFSC is adopting the contingency plan that RPI will be instituting. There are two scenarios so far that would warrant action that would affect HMFSC activities such as Learn-to-Skate and the Garren Invitational competition. These plans are subject to change based on information and changes to conditions as they occur.
Condition A: Off-campus illness within 25-miles
In the event that a coronavirus case is confirmed within a 25-mile radius of campus, there will be no events on campus of greater than (50) people. HMFSC will provide strict schedules for Learn-to-Skate families and Garren competitors to ensure nor more than (50) people are in the rink at a time. This could include starting Learn-to-Skate at an earlier time for some students, limiting the number of adult spectators, or restricting arrival times for Garren competitors. Families and skaters will be provided as much advanced notice as possible of changes become necessary.
Condition B: On-campus illness
In the event that a case is confirmed on the RPI campus, all activities will be cancelled for a minimum of (2) weeks. HMFSC will notify all members if Freestyle ice, Exhibition Team practice, Learn-to-Skate, or the Garren competition is cancelled. We will make all attempts to reschedule the cancelled activities, however, due to RPI and other community rinks closing for the season, this may not be possible.
If notice of COVID-19 infection is made during a HMFSC event, actions to continue, suspend, or cancel will be taken as directed by RPI.
What if I think I may be infected or have been exposed to an infected person?
The risk of transmission is low when people are just walking by each other or meeting in a room for a short time. However, the risk is increased when people are together for extended periods of time, or in close contact.
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Stay home if you are sick, which includes a fever of 100.4˚F, a cough, and/or a shortness of breath
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Notify others that you are having symptoms, such as your employer, your school, or community groups that you have recently attended
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If you or someone believes they may have been exposed, but are not feeling any symptoms, practice social distancing, such as precautionary confinement at home, or maintaining at least 6-feet distance from others.
HMFSC members who have questions regarding this contingency plan, please contact the HMFSC President, Stacey Hills (435-51-7292) or Secretary, CharlieAnne Huffam (518-860-7088). Your health is our top priority.
References:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/