We encourage all JFREJ members to evaluate their own comfort levels with risk and consult with their loved ones and primary care practitioners to determine what makes the most sense for their physical and mental health.
Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, our protocols may change very quickly if new information and/or best practices become available. We are working with medical and access advisors to determine best practices while grounding our decision making in the values we hold as an organization working for justice. These protocols will be linked to in every onsite JFREJ event registration page. Any time a change is made to these protocols, the change will be reflected in this document and a notification will be sent to all event attendees so they can be made aware of the change. These protocols are what allow us to hold onsite events, and it is crucial that they are understood and followed. We are so grateful to be in community with all of you, especially through this challenging time.
Outdoor onsite meetings and small events (e.g. teach-ins, picnics)
JFREJ teams and neighborhood groups may choose to engage in outdoor, physically distanced organizing meetings and socializing provided that events meet these criteria:
At any given time, there should be no more than 30 people gathering together.
All attendees over the age of five must be up to date on their vaccinations or have a medical exemption.
Anyone with a medical exemption must arrive with a negative COVID test.
All attendees must wear masks for any non-stationary activities.
All attendees may remove masks when 6+ feet apart and stationary, for example while eating and drinking.
Event organizers will ensure that there is hand sanitizer on site and extra masks available for distribution.
Accessible seating, comfortable for a variety of bodies, must be arranged, e.g. sturdy benches and chairs. All accessibility information (e.g. steps to enter) must be clearly communicated in the event registration page.
Event organizers - whether staff or members - will track RSVPs diligently and assign one volunteer at each event to collect attendee contact information, in the event that follow up communication related to COVID transmission becomes necessary.
Onsite actions (eg. marches, large ritual moments, etc.)
Onsite criteria from above apply, except that gatherings will likely exceed 30 people, which means that members should evaluate their needs and comfort level, and decide whether to attend accordingly. All JFREJ-led actions will offer a zoom or livestream option.
Indoor and onsite events (We use the term “onsite” instead of referring to an event being “in-person” because those of us that primarily attend events virtually come to those events with our full personhood)
We will do our best to keep 3-6 feet of space between guests and our general guidance is that we should not be crowded into a small space. We will keep this in mind when considering the capacity of any given space and how many people will fit
All attendees over the age of five must be up to date on their vaccinations or have a medical exemption.
- All attendees must have a negative antigen test taken within 12 hours of the event. We will do our best to provide antigen tests at the event in case someone was not able to test.
A list of sites for covid testing, as well as at-home test picks up sites can be found here.
We recommend, but do not require, attendees to take an antigen or PCR test 48 hours before the event as well to increase testing sensitivity
- All attendees must wear masks, unless actively eating or drinking.
When actively eating and/or drinking, all attendees will try their best to be socially distanced. When moving around the space, please keep masks on.
- Event organizers will ensure that there are hand sanitizer, antigen tests and extra masks available for distribution.
We encourage event organizers to ensure air flow in the space, whether using an air filtration system or keeping windows open. Ideally, there would be cross ventilation in the space. (Check out these resources for air filtrations system: Clean Air Club, DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box)
Event organizers - whether staff or members - will track RSVPs diligently and assign one volunteer at each event to collect attendee contact information, in the event that follow up communication related to COVID transmission becomes necessary.
Basic Safety Guidelines for JFREJ members who choose to participate in onsite activities
If you’ve traveled internationally in the last 14 days, even if vaccinated, the New York State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control recommend wearing a mask around other people for 14 days after return unless you tested negative 3-5 days after return.
If you have been diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection in the last ten days, have a pending COVID-19 test, or have been exposed to someone with a COVID-19 infection in the last 10 days whether or not you are fully vaccinated, do not attend onsite events.
If you have any of the following symptoms (not attributable to another condition), do not attend onsite events. In addition to covid, there are other viruses going around this season and we want to do our best to keep each other safe. If you are already at a meeting or event and experience these symptoms, go home, self-isolate, and seek medical guidance. If you experience any of these symptoms after an event, communicate immediately with the event organizer and contact your healthcare provider about accessing care, including COVID-19 testing:
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever, temperature 100.4 or higher
Chills
Muscle or body aches
Persistent or unusual headache
Sore throat
New loss of or change in taste or smell
Fatigue
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Hybrid options for onsite events
All JFREJ teams and neighborhood groups who choose to organize onsite meetings and small events must ensure that members can also participate virtually, via zoom or livestream, when indicated as a need by group members. Every onsite event registration, whether it’s a neighborhood group meeting or a press conference, must include a clear way for participants to express their needs for accessing the event, including whether they need a virtual option. If needed, each event should have a designated virtual access point person whose job it is to set up zoom or livestream and ensure that virtual attendees can participate fully. This will require that onsite event planners plan for how the zoom or livestream will be part of the event. For support and thinking on how to do this, contact audrey@jfrej.org.
This hybrid model is new for JFREJ and we know that there will be some bumps along the way. If you have feedback about your experience at our hybrid events, you can fill out this form or reach out to audrey@jfrej.org for a 1-1 conversation. We are constantly learning how to do better in hybrid settings and with disability justice, as well, and we are open to suggestions.
Responsibility and Risk
As with any public, onsite event, there is a risk that COVID-19 may be spread at a JFREJ event. While we attempt through these policies to mitigate that risk, it is a risk that all individual attendees bear. JFREJ staff and members who organize and facilitate events will take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with these guidelines, but cannot be responsible for each individual member’s compliance at all times. You should attend or remain at an onsite JFREJ event only if you are prepared to accept the associated risk of transmission; if you are not, we urge you to take part in our events via remote or virtual options.
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