Dear Member,
As the number of COVID-19 infections continues to dramatically rise from the highly-contagious Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, we want to remind members of the importance of personal vigilance in keeping yourselves and your skaters from getting infected. While symptoms from the Omicron variant may be much less threatening than the Delta or original strain of the virus, reportedly more children are now being infected and hospitalized due to their lower rates of vaccination. This is of great concern.
As a result, we think it prudent to immediately reinstitute the policy of masks being required at all times in the Club facility, including when on the ice. For skaters of every age. We also highly recommend that members either wear N95 or N94 masks, or a double-mask practice of two surgical masks or a cloth mask over a surgical mask. In speaking with the Club’s COVID-19 Safety Officer, Cheri Rigby, she emphasized that vaccinations and boosters are the best way to keep from getting very sick, and the proper fit and filtration of your mask is the best way to keep from getting infected in the first place. We also strongly recommend that all members return to socially distancing while eating and drinking until we are safely through this latest phase of the pandemic.
We hope that this reintroduction of the mask policy for skaters on the ice and reminder about socially distancing while eating and drinking will only be for a very short time while the Omicron variant continues its rapid rampage around the world. Some news reports indicate that we might reach peak infections by the end of this month, if not sooner.
As always, please remain personally vigilant, and fight the urge to give in to pandemic exhaustion. We are each our own best defense against infection.
Sincerely,
Doug Zeghibe
Executive Director
