Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Covid protocols

[Ann Zabaldo (zabaldo]

Hello Julia —

Covid has certainly kicked the butt out of using our common areas.  And, we’ve 
been very creative in finding new ways to connect w/ each other.  That’’s 
another conversation, however.

I have to say, even as hard as it is to be so separated by this disease, my 
community stepped up on day 1 and hasn’t veered one peep from city regulations. 
 A group of TVCers organized a group within 10 mins of the announcement of the 
lockdown, I think.  They lay out the restrictions by which we operate under 
Covid.  Of oourse, it conforms w/ our municipal restrictions.  Sometimes, may 
exceed the regulations.  We have at least three people here who are immuno 
compromised.  Plus we have seniors.

Because this list does not accept attachments, I’ve cut and pasted our revised 
Covid restrictions below my signature block.  However, I want to mention one 
thing not reflected in the information below.   We have one person who has made 
it her mission to get every one vaccinated.  When I was having trouble getting 
an appointment — signed up on every site, was the next in line to reserve a 
place THREE times but no dice,  she sent me an alert late one day that there 
were some appointments at a Covid site. Very unusual to have appointments 
beyond 10mins after released.  I secured a slot.  She has been relentless about 
this.  And it’s helping!!  So please everyone, I’m sure you are doing all you 
can to help people get vaccinated.  Keep helping!  :-)

BTW, Julia — what coho community are you in?

Be blessed all!

PS I had to strip out all the formatting because I didn’t know if this list 
would accept things like bolding,  tabs., lists, etc.  So a little challenging 
to read but not awful.

Best --

Ann Zabaldo
Takoma Village Cohousing
Washington, DC
Member, Board of Directors
Mid Atlantic Cohousing
Principal, Cohousing Collaborative, LLC
Falls Church, VA
202.546.4654

Do you ever get up in the morning, look at yourself in the mirror and think … 
“That can’t be  accurate.”

NOTE: I am switching back to: zabaldo [at] earthlink.net.  Many apologies!  

---------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS:  Stay at home if you have any of TVC COVID -19 Recommendations 
February 6, 2021

MASKS:  Should continue to be worn when in Common House, along with social 
distancing.  When outside, masks should be worn.  If you are eating and social 
distancing outside, you do not need to wear a mask while you are eating. Anyone 
who is sick should stay home, unless medically necessary to access treatment.
the following symptoms and talk with your primary care provider:  Fever or 
chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or 
body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or 
runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

TRAVEL:  Those traveling to DC must have a negative COVID test within 72 hours 
of arrival in DC.  If a person is visiting DC for more than 3 days, they must 
get a second COVID test within 3-5 days of arrival.  DC residents returning to 
the District from anywhere other than Maryland, Virginian or a low-risk state 
or country should quarantine for 14 days or have a negative COVID test 3-5 days 
after return. 
Keep up to date with Mayor’s orders and other guidelines related to COVID at 
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

1.      TVC Meetings
All meetings on-line or outside with social distancing (10 or less 
participants).  The Common House dining room may be used for a meeting of 10 
people or less with masks and social distancing.

2.      Community Meals
No community meals except outdoors with social distancing and no shared 
food/implements with the following exception:
Workday lunches are now being prepared but there is no eating in the Common 
House.  Servers will serve meals to community members who will wait in a 
socially distanced line.  Members are encouraged to sit in socially distant 
groups outside in the piazza, the breezeway, the green or on someone’s 
porch—weather permitting. 

3.      Use of Common House
Open-up Workshop, Office, Game Room, Living Room, Sunroom and Fireplace Area 
for 1 person or 1 family at a time; sign-up on-line, wear masks and sanitize 
items used afterwards.
Dining room could be used by 10 individuals after sign-up online if individuals 
wear masks and are social distanced.  Tables and chairs should be sanitized 
afterwards.

4.      Exercise Room
The exercise room can open for one person at a time with the following 
requirements:
•       Wear a mask.  This will discourage increased droplet spread.
•       It is recommended that a window be open during exercise.
•       Each person may use the room for no more than one hour a day three 
times a week, plus 15 minutes to sanitize equipment used. 
•       There will be a sign-up sheet online.
•       There should be one hour between when one person stops exercising and 
another person enters the room (not counting the sanitizing time).
•       Make sure that you leave the room on time especially if there is 
someone following you an hour later.

5.      TIOLI is open.

6.      Laundry Room
One person/one family in the room at a time.

7.      Daily Sanitizing
Discontinue daily sanitizing; supplies will be managed so individuals/families 
using specific rooms can sanitize after use.

8.       Individual Prevention
Use of frequent handwashing, masks, and social distancing (6 ft) whether you 
have received the vaccine or not.

9.       Guest Rooms Remain Closed

10.       Kids’ Room
Kids' room and bathroom open for families at TVC with children. Families should 
coordinate amongst themselves to ensure one family/pod in the room at any given 
time. Masks will be worn as much as possible and the families using the room 
will clean the kids' bathroom. Any other family needing to use the kids' room 
should contact the COVID working group. 

11.     Visitors  
Members are encouraged to host guests outdoors with masks and social distancing.

12.     TVC Community Events
Organize virtual events or community events on porches, the green, the piazza, 
or SE Corner.
QUESTIONS:  Contact the COVID-19 working group—

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> On Feb 25, 2021, at 12:16 PM, Julia Dodge <dodgej [at] telus.net> wrote:
> 
> Our village , pre-pandemic, enjoyed community meals, social gatherings, and 
> meeting spaces in our Common House. Now it is used only for accessing 
> mailboxes and laundry facilities. Masks and enhanced cleaning is mandatory 
> while in the building. 
> I realize we must all adhere closely to our respective government 
> restrictions, but I’m tasked with drafting policy and am curious as to what 
> others are doing to keep your common- use areas clean and people safe. 
> We are a self-managed community.  
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