For whatever reason, I'm still subscribed to my old judo club mailing list, even though I haven't done any judo for over ten years. I sometimes look at the emails, and they're sometimes an interesting look into life going on back there. There is a doctor in the club, and they consulted him about the coronavirus.
With the spread of the new virus, COVID-19, we have discussed the need for precautions to take and changes that may need to occur regarding practice and events. This virus is spreading in the community and will likely continue to spread and worsen in the coming days to weeks. It appears to be more serious for people who are older, particularly above age 50. There is likely an increased risk to those with prior illness and weakened immune system.
This disease is spread similarly to cold and flu viruses including the following:
Coughing
Sneezing
Touching surfaces that have been contaminated
The most common symptoms are:
Fever
Cough
Difficulty Breathing
For now we are asking the following :
If you or your children or anyone in your family is ill with cold or flu symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever) please do not come to judo practice or events until all symptoms are gone and you have been seen by a healthcare professional. This is particularly important if you have older family members and please do not hesitate to seek help.
If you may have been exposed to someone who may have this virus, please avoid coming to practice or events until you have been evaluated by a healthcare professional.
All judoka please wash your hands prior to practice and after practice. Parents direct your children to do the same.
Wash your GI after every practice.
Avoid touching your face as much as possible during practices.
Please stay in the [club] side of the building during all practices and keep all children there as well. We share the building with [another group] who have many older members in their Adult Day Care Program and we would like to minimize exposure to them. The door to the Kitchen area and Water Fountain will be locked. Therefore you should all bring your own water bottles or buy Water/Gatorade from the dojo.
More information is available here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
This current situation will continue to evolve and we may need to take further measures. Practices will continue for now but this may change. We will let you know if and when the situation changes. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
So, they're continuing practice. Cambridge Public Schools are still open.
These are really tough calls to make, except for really large gatherings, which obviously should be cancelled. And I don't know where to draw the line on large gatherings. There was a recent discussion in our D&D group about this. Is eight people a large group? My sense is no; it doesn't seem like a significant factor, and I'm guessing most of us don't move around among large crowds now.
I really don't think there is enough information to make these decisions, which makes them interesting.