In light of the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American College of Rheumatology data and recommendations, the National Scleroderma Foundation is prepared to return to in-person meetings and events effective March 1, 2023. This policy and guidance do not preclude the use of the Foundations health and safety and/or general event waivers.
While it is important to maintain a reasonable level of caution due to the continued rates of COVID-19 infections, as well as other illnesses such as the flu, RSV, etc. circulating in the United States, the Foundation is issuing the following health and safety policy and guidance to allow for a safe return to in-person meetings and events.
This policy and guidance are based upon the understanding that each individual (with the advice of their own medical advisors) will make personal decisions about their own health and comfort level regarding in-person meetings and events, to protect their own health and the health of others in the community.
This policy is subject to the following recommendations and guidelines:
- First and foremost, no one should attend any meeting or event if they have any symptoms of any illness. If you feel sick, stay home.
- Hand washing and mask wearing are important to protect everyone’s health and safety.
- Organizers are encouraged to offer hybrid meeting options whenever possible; this will allow for full participation by meeting participants who cannot attend in person.
- Organizers must continue to collect required health and safety waivers
- Organizers are encouraged to consider meeting outdoors and/or in well-ventilated areas.
- Whether meeting indoors or outdoors, organizers should provide for adequate distancing (preferably six feet) between in-person participants.
- Organizers are encouraged to provide and/or encourage masks and hand sanitizing products for in-person participants.
- Organizers should recognize that participants will have varying degrees of comfort with in-person meetings. Attendees are asked to honor individuals’ preferences regarding handshakes, hugging, mask wearing, eating and drinking, etc.
Note: For the purposes of this guidance, hybrid is defined as a meeting or event that offers two different ways of participating live (that is, as the event is happening) to allow for interactive participation – one being in person and the other being l virtual (via electronic communications such as Zoom).
Approved by the Board of Directors Jan. 19, 2023.
Event toolkit
- Event waiver (coming soon)