MUNROE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Onsite Class Protocol 2021
The Munroe Center for the Arts is working within the scope of the MA Reopen Approach, and in association with the Lexington Board of Health to plan for a safe season of arts programming for the community. Below are some practices that we have put into place, and some expectations that we have of students and camp families.
All students, staff, and artists are asked to complete a MCA waiver before spending time in the building, to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential for virus exposure in public places.
Please self-certify each time that you enter the building that:
If you develop symptoms while at the Center, we ask that you separate yourself from class (students can wait for pick-up in a comfortable, isolated room near the office/214), and that students/staff confirm they are COVID-19-free before returning to class.
Visitors to the MCA are no longer asked to sign in when they enter the building.
Please remember to wear your mask
Please socially distance
Please remember good hygiene
Help reduce a viral load
Please feel free to ask your class instructor for any more details, or contact the MCA Executive Director, Cristina Burwell - cristina@munroecenter.org
WHAT HAPPENS IF . . .
Students/staff who believe they may have been exposed, or who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should stay home and contact their primary care provider about getting tested.
In the event someone in our community has been exposed or tests positive, the MCA Office is to be notified right away so that we can communicate with the Lexington Public Health Department, and anyone else that may have potentially been infected, as well as the cleaning staff.
Someone in the MCA building becomes sick
If someone presents with any symptoms of COVID-19, they should be brought to the office. A student’s parent shall be notified for immediate pick-up, and asked to contact their healthcare provider, and may be asked to isolate. Sick individuals are asked to leave by the front door on the Lexington side (or the nearest exit). MCA School Directors will be then taking the advice of the student or staff member’s healthcare provider with respect to their return to class, etc. and schools will update the MCA Office. The MCA Office will be in contact with the Lexington Public Health Department as needed.
A student, staff, or tenant tests positive for COVID-19
If this situation occurs, the MCA Office is to be notified immediately, and will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, for instructions on further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution). Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is expected to be in contact with their healthcare provider, and to quarantine according to CDC guidelines. School directors will in turn notify individuals who may have come in contact with the affected person.
A student, staff, or tenant has been exposed to COVID-19
If this situation occurs, the MCA Office is to be notified immediately, and will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, per instructions for further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution). The affected individual is expected to be in contact with their healthcare provider, get tested, and to quarantine according to CDC guidelines.
Current CDC guidance for anyone who has had close contact (< 6 feet for ≥15 minutes) with someone having known or suspected COVID-19 is for that person to:
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
When we say “we are all in this together”, this means that it is everyone’s responsibility to know how to help reduce the spread of infection. We ask that everyone coming to the Munroe Center for the Arts be aware of the following CDC Guidelines below.
Please, if you are able to be vaccinated and have not done so already, please do so. Our public health workers have led us through other viruses in the past and are working hard to do so again. It is our responsibility to keep our selves and our community healthy. For more information on how to get vaccinated, please visit the MA Vaccination Website.
Know how it spreads
Wash your hands often
Avoid close contact
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Monitor Your Health
When to seek emergency medical attention:
If calling 911 or calling ahead to your local emergency facility due to symptoms: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have Covid-19.
All students, staff, and artists are asked to complete a MCA waiver before spending time in the building, to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential for virus exposure in public places.
Please self-certify each time that you enter the building that:
- You are feeling well, and free of any Covid-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, recent lack of taste/smell).
- You do not have a temperature of 100.4º F or greater
- You have not been recently exposed to anyone known to have Covid-19
- You have not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by your doctor, local health official, or per travel guidelines
- Staff are also asked to self-certify each day
If you develop symptoms while at the Center, we ask that you separate yourself from class (students can wait for pick-up in a comfortable, isolated room near the office/214), and that students/staff confirm they are COVID-19-free before returning to class.
Visitors to the MCA are no longer asked to sign in when they enter the building.
Please remember to wear your mask
- We ask that everyone continue to WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC SPACES such as hallways and restrooms, as well as shared studio space.
- Ask your teacher for a disposable mask if you forgot yours
- If you need to take a break from wearing your mask, please step outside the classroom and away from other students or studios. If the weather is hospitable, this break should happen outdoors.
- Masks are not required in private offices/studios, or when outdoors working independently
Please socially distance
- Please respect social distance between yourself and other students, staff, and building tenants
- Be mindful to maintain your distance as you approach common areas such as sinks, and doorways
- Entrances are no longer designated as either in or out - please use good judgement when passing others
Please remember good hygiene
- Keep your hands away from your face
- Wash your hands with soap before and after class (if no soap and water is available, use hand sanitizer)
- Please only use the same restroom each class (as indicated by your teacher)
- If you are feeling sick, please stay home
Help reduce a viral load
- During nice weather, classes will happen with the windows open for increased ventilation. When the weather is hospitable, the exterior doors will also be open. Ask us for which classes are happening outdoors this fall.
- Classrooms have also been provided with air filtration units selected specially for these viral times.
- Visitors are discouraged from spending time indoors at the MCA. If students arrive early for classes, they should wait outside the building (in their car, etc.) until the class is ready to begin if it would otherwise result with them gathering in the hallways. We have plenty of outdoor seating in the front and back of the arts center.
Please feel free to ask your class instructor for any more details, or contact the MCA Executive Director, Cristina Burwell - cristina@munroecenter.org
WHAT HAPPENS IF . . .
Students/staff who believe they may have been exposed, or who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should stay home and contact their primary care provider about getting tested.
In the event someone in our community has been exposed or tests positive, the MCA Office is to be notified right away so that we can communicate with the Lexington Public Health Department, and anyone else that may have potentially been infected, as well as the cleaning staff.
Someone in the MCA building becomes sick
If someone presents with any symptoms of COVID-19, they should be brought to the office. A student’s parent shall be notified for immediate pick-up, and asked to contact their healthcare provider, and may be asked to isolate. Sick individuals are asked to leave by the front door on the Lexington side (or the nearest exit). MCA School Directors will be then taking the advice of the student or staff member’s healthcare provider with respect to their return to class, etc. and schools will update the MCA Office. The MCA Office will be in contact with the Lexington Public Health Department as needed.
A student, staff, or tenant tests positive for COVID-19
If this situation occurs, the MCA Office is to be notified immediately, and will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, for instructions on further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution). Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is expected to be in contact with their healthcare provider, and to quarantine according to CDC guidelines. School directors will in turn notify individuals who may have come in contact with the affected person.
A student, staff, or tenant has been exposed to COVID-19
If this situation occurs, the MCA Office is to be notified immediately, and will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, per instructions for further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution). The affected individual is expected to be in contact with their healthcare provider, get tested, and to quarantine according to CDC guidelines.
Current CDC guidance for anyone who has had close contact (< 6 feet for ≥15 minutes) with someone having known or suspected COVID-19 is for that person to:
- Stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times
- Self-monitor for symptoms
- Check temperature twice a day
- Watch for fever (100.4ºF), cough, or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
- Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
When we say “we are all in this together”, this means that it is everyone’s responsibility to know how to help reduce the spread of infection. We ask that everyone coming to the Munroe Center for the Arts be aware of the following CDC Guidelines below.
Please, if you are able to be vaccinated and have not done so already, please do so. Our public health workers have led us through other viruses in the past and are working hard to do so again. It is our responsibility to keep our selves and our community healthy. For more information on how to get vaccinated, please visit the MA Vaccination Website.
Know how it spreads
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 3 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Studies indicate that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. Refer to the CDC website for recommendations for fully vaccinated people.
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Do not gather in groups.
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Monitor Your Health
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
When to seek emergency medical attention:
- Look for emergency warning signs* for Covid-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
If calling 911 or calling ahead to your local emergency facility due to symptoms: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have Covid-19.