Dear Scouting Families,
As
always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and
employees is our top priority. We know there are questions and concerns
about how COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, will affect local
Scouting programs in the Iroquois Trail Council.
Please
know that we are monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 with our
local health departments and county governments and through the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
.
The
following information regarding events and prevention measures is based
on the latest available guidance. As this is an evolving situation,
this information is subject to change. We will continue to update you on
relevant developments, and we appreciate your understanding of any
necessary adjustments in the interest of health and safety.
In
the past two days each of our local counties has declared a state of
emergency and made the decision to temporarily close schools and limit
the size of public gatherings in an effort to slow the spread of the
virus. For many Scouting units the closure of schools will take the
decision of whether to meet out of your hands. For all others, our
recommendation is that you follow the lead of your local school district
and charter organization and temporarily postpone or cancel upcoming
group meetings and activities.
We
encourage units, dens, and patrols to continue to meet virtually during
this hiatus using video or phone conferencing wherever possible. This
is also a great time for Cub Scouts to work on electives and for Scouts
BSA to work on individual merit badge requirements. The Council is
working to identify resources and content to help you with your virtual
meetings and will share them with you as they become available. If you
have virtual programs you develop and are willing to share, please send
them to us and we will make them available to others.
Status of Council Events
At
the present time our Council Service Centers in Oakfield and Lockport
will be open regular hours. The following events have been cancelled or
postponed:
- March 19 Towpath District Roundtable has been cancelled.
- March 21 Merit Badge College in Geneseo has been postponed. Registrants will be notified when new details are available.
- April 4 Towpath District Pinewood Derby is still under consideration with a decision to be made later this week.
- We will advise you as to the status of events scheduled in April as more information becomes available.
Should
you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or
activity, please reach out to Scout Executive Jim McMullen or your
district executive. We will do everything we can to answer your
questions using the information available to us.
BSA Polices to Prevent the Spread of Illness
The Boy Scouts of America continues to have policies and procedures in place that help
protect participants from contracting an illness at large Scouting events. These include the
Annual Health and Medical Recor
d
and the
Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist
.
Everyday Preventive Measures
Even
with those important policies in place, it is critical that we all take
these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of
respiratory diseases:
- Stay home when you feel sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands before and after doing so.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/elbow, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any Scouting events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
- If you test positive for the virus, please share that information with your local unit leadership.
