GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES

Guidelines for Providing a Healthy and Safe Environment at the bender Jcc

As the Bender JCC prepares to reopen and start offering programs and services, the following guidelines have been created to instill a sense of confidence that the environment will be safe and healthy for staff, members and children. The guidelines were developed by an advisory committee consisting of local health experts, the CEO, current President and past Presidents of the board, and community members.

The committee created the guidelines with consideration of both the Bender JCC core values (including community engagement and well-being), as well as recommendations from local, state and national organizations, such as the Maryland Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Camp Association (ACA).

Patrons of the Bender JCC must recognize that while the Bender JCC is taking precautions as guided by health officials, community spread of COVID-19 is ongoing, and asymptomatic transmission is known to occur. Certain individuals, such as those over 65 years of age or with underlying health conditions, are at increased risk of severe disease and should consider taking extra precautions. All individuals should remain informed and take actions to support both their own and the community’s safety and well-being.

 

Partnership

    1. To maximize everyone’s health and safety, we feel it is important to create a partnership with our members who will use the Bender JCC, parents whose children will be attending Bender JCC programs, and the Bender JCC staff, understanding that everyone will play a critical role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
    2. Temperature checks: As part of this partnership, parents of children and all adults will be asked to perform temperature checks at home each day prior to arriving at the Bender JCC; anyone with a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit must remain at home. Staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival to work and will be sent home if their temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.Health Screening questions: Also as part of this partnership, and in accordance with CDC and state guidelines, parents of children and all adults will answer a set of health screening questions before being permitted to enter the Bender JCC facility.  Staff will also be required to complete the health screening.

      General Information

  1. Who should stay home from the Bender JCC:
    As part of the health screening process, anyone with the following symptoms or exposures must remain at home:
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Diarrhea
    • Feeling feverish or measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Known *close contact (within the 14 preceding days) with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19
  2. When to return to the Bender JCC: Persons who have been ill may return to the Bender JCC when ALL of the following criteria have been met:
    • at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); AND
    • the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND
    • at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
    ***Persons who wish to return to the Bender JCC prior to fulfilling these criteria must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for the return based on an alternative diagnosis or negative nucleic-acid COVID-19 test(s).
  3. Guidance after contact with someone who has been ill:
    • Persons with known *close contact to a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 may return to the Bender JCC following a 14-day self-quarantine period from the last date of exposure.
    • Similarly, persons with *close contact to a person who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (but without lab-confirmation) may return to the J following a 14-day self-quarantine period from the last date of exposure; persons who wish to return to the J prior to fulfilling these criteria must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual to return based on an alternative diagnosis.
  4. What if a person becomes ill while at the Bender JCC?
    • Any person who becomes ill while at the Bender JCC will be asked to wear a mask (if appropriate) and will be isolated until the individual can be safely dismissed home or to a healthcare facility.
    • The Bender JCC will close off any areas used by the person who was ill until the areas can be appropriately cleaned and disinfected as recommended by health officials.
    • Close contacts of the ill individual will be notified, as feasible and as advised by local health officials. For example, if a child or staff member becomes ill, other members of the ill person’s group will be notified.
    • Additional facility closures may be required depending on the perceived risk, and as advised by local health officials.
    If a COVID-19 case is confirmed in a child, adult, or staff member, local health officials will be notified and will guide plans for contact tracing and/or facility closures.
  5. What if a person becomes ill after being at the Bender JCC?
    • Any person who is confirmed to have COVID-19 within 14 days of being at the J is asked to notify Treva Bustow so that appropriate precautions / facility closures can be put into place as guided by local health officials.
  6. Hand hygiene:
    • Upon entering and exiting the facility, all persons (children, parents, adults, staff) must wash or disinfect their hands using hand sanitizer. Hand hygiene stations will be made available at entrances.
    • Frequent handwashing is also encouraged, particularly before and after using the restroom, before and after eating or handling food, before and after touching one’s face (including after touching a mask or face covering, or after discarding a used tissue), and any other time the hands are visibly or potentially contaminated.
  7. Guidance regarding masks or cloth face coverings:
    • The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
    • Cloth face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) are recommended over surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.
    • Face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
    • Face coverings are most essential when physical distancing (i.e. 6 feet of separation) is difficult.At the Bender JCC, the following recommendations for masks or cloth face coverings will apply:
    • Adults, including staff, are required to wear a mask or face covering (over nose and mouth) when entering / exiting the facilities and pool area, or when indoors and within 6 feet of another person.  
    • Children are not required to wear a mask or face covering, in recognition of challenges with compliance as outlined above. Efforts to facilitate physical distancing will be part of children’s programming, though may not be feasible in all circumstances.
    • Masks or face coverings will not be required outdoors, though physical distancing remains advised. Adult members must wear them when entering and exiting the outdoor pool.
    • Physical distancing (6-feet of separation) is strongly encouraged in both indoor and outdoor settings, particularly in situations when masks or face coverings are not possible.Other Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Transmission
  8. The Bender JCC has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures, in accordance with guidance from health officials. Examples include: frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces (such as bathroom surfaces, doorknobs, handrails, light switches, countertops and tables); cleaning / disinfecting fitness equipment between use; regular cleaning and sanitizing of toys). Specific protocols will vary according to the program type.
  9. Additional efforts to reduce the risk of transmission will vary according to the program type and will be communicated appropriately (examples: frequent / scheduled handwashing; facilitating 6-feet of separation as much as possible; limited capacity / group sizes; limited mixing of groups with staggered playground and activity times, etc.).
  10. Informational signage will be posted throughout the campus outlining procedures, expectations, summarizing protocols, symptoms, risks to vulnerable populations, establishing social distancing parameters and reinforcing the concept of partnership.
  11. Additional considerations for vulnerable populations, such as special hours for programming, may be implemented and will be communicated accordingly.

Modifications to these guidelines may be needed / recommended by the advisory committee as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. We have a shared responsibility to stay informed and use sound judgment to support both personal and community safety and well-being.

*Definition of close contact:

a) Being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case
– or –
b) Having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on)

bender JCC COVID-19 Checklist

Before entering the J:

  • Check your temperature / your child’s temperature; stay home if temperature is 100.0 F or above
  • Use self-screening tool (stay home if you have any of the listed symptoms or exposures)

 

When entering / using the J facilities:

  • Wash or disinfect your hands when entering/exiting the facility and frequently while in the facility
  • For adults or children over the age of 2 years: wear a mask or face covering (over nose and mouth) when entering/exiting the facility, or when indoors and within 6 feet of another person for extended periods. It is recognized that the wearing of face coverings may not always be feasible, and is most essential when physical distancing is difficult.
  • Maintain physical distancing (6 feet of separation from other persons) as much as possible
  • Follow program-specific guidelines to reduce health risks

After using the Bender JCC facilities:

  • Contact Treva Bustow if you or your child become ill or are confirmed to have COVID-19.
  • Stay informed and use your best judgement to support both personal and community safety.