COVID-19: Guidance for PTAs

This is a time of uncertainty for the Northshore community as we navigate the COVID-19 outbreak. While government and public health agencies are not recommending full quarantine at this time, it leaves it up to your PTA board to determine what the best course of action is for your PTA with regards to events, services and communications. There is no one right answer-- but we have put together a list of resources, information and considerations to help your board as you work together to make decisions about how to best serve your community and goals.

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Public health Agency Recommendations: (as of 3/11/2020):

Washington State Governor issues

Emergency proclamation: (3/13/2020)
Governor Jay Inslee announced that all public and private K-12 schools in the state of Washington will close for the next six weeks. Schools will close from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 24.

Read the official proclamation. (pdf)

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Emergency proclamation: (3/12/2020)

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will close for the next six weeks. This decision impacts 43 school districts throughout the three counties. Public health officials hope the science-driven decision can help minimize COVID-19 exposure in Washington counties hit hardest by the virus.

Schools will close from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 24.

In effect through April 24, 2020
Read the official proclamation. (pdf)

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Emergency proclamation: (3/11/2020)

Starting today, events that take place in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties with more than 250 people are prohibited by the state. This order applies to gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational activities. These include but are not limited to: community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers and similar activities.

In effect through midnight, March 31, 2020.
Read the official proclamation. (pdf)

Public Health - Seattle & King County: (3/13/2020)

Guidelines for gatherings of children and youth while schools are closed
Webpage that offers some guidelines for hosting safe gatherings among children and parents outside of the school setting as well as links to additional resources.

Local Health Officer Order: (3/11/2020)
Under an order from Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people. In addition, the local order is prohibiting events of less than 250 people, unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk. Further guidance for schools will be issued later today, to support them as they prepare for the increasing possibility of prolonged mandatory closures.

• Public events with fewer than 250 attendees are prohibited, unless event organizers can take steps to minimize risk. Event organizers must ensure that:
  • Older and vulnerable individuals have been encouraged not to attend
  • Recommendations for social distancing and limiting close contact are met
  • Employees or volunteers leading an event are screened for symptoms each day
  • Proper hand washing, sanitation, and cleaning is readily available
  • Environmental cleaning guidelines are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently)

Additional guidance will be forthcoming shortly for how private events with fewer than 250 attendees can comply with this order, as well as for retail and services.

via publichealthinsider.com/2020/03/11/new-limits-on-large-gatherings-other-emergency-strategies-to-slow-the-spread-of-covid-19/

Snohomish Health District recommendation: https://www.snohd.org/498/COVID-19-Info-for-Community-Organization

FAQ:
“As of March 5, we are recommending that people avoid non-essential gathering in large groups to the extent possible. We are loosely defining “large groups” as meetings, events or spaces with 50 or more people. This is a good time to consider postponing events if possible. “

WA Department of Health: Recommendations for Events and Public Gatherings (3/4/2020)

"Consider ways you can support distancing among your members or the community you serve. You may be able to cancel services or events that are not critical to your community’s well-being or move them to a larger or outdoor space, offer distance or online options, or meet with people individually instead of as a group."

Considerations:

Beyond recommendations from public health agencies, you may also want to consider:

• How many may opt out of the event during this time?
• Will you have enough volunteers to run the event?
• Will the reach/impact of your event be as strong?
• Is it worth having the event knowing that certain populations are being advised to avoid large groups of people and large social gatherings (so you would potentially be excluding those groups)?
• Can you provide for the safety of all attendees (e.g., handwashing stations, space allowing for 6 feet of distancing between attendees, etc.)?
• Location of the event-- will the space actually be available? (e.g., if the school where the event is to take place is closed, your facility request may be cancelled. Note: Northshore School District has not yet provided any guidance or specific dates for partnered organizations with regards to facility use beyond cancellation of events while schools are closed.)
• Can the event be rescheduled and what additional costs may be incurred by doing so?
• Are there alternatives to holding the event (e.g., teleconference, online, etc.)?
  

Additional Resources:

Northshore School District COVID-19 Coronovirus – updates and resources page

Washington State PTA Guidance:

• Washington State PTA Statement Regarding COVID-19 (3/2/2020)
  
• Washington State PTAs and COVID-19 blog post (3/5/2020)
  

Local City Government Pages:

• City of Bothell COVID-19 Update page
  
• City of Kenmore Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kenmore Community Update
  
• Woodinville COVID-19 Response and Information page
  

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources webpage
• COVID-19 in Schools: A Parent Guide (pdf)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance on Online Learning, Waivers, and School Closures (March 6, 2020)

Washington State Department of Health Pages:

• COVID-19 page
• Community and Community Organization Resources and Recommendations

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Pages:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders

Washington Nonprofit Institute:

• Event Planning & COViD-19 presentation information (3/9/2020) - great information about considerations and different approaches that are applicable to all non-profits (including PTAs)

REAL TALK: COVID-19 & 2020 Fundraising (3/13/2020) - Webinar for non-profits presented by Ariel Glassman & Talia Silveri Wright (Seattle-based consultants who specialize events and strategic fundraising):

• Webinar recording (requires registration)
  
• Slide deck
  

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If you have questions, please reach out to Council leaders and ask questions. Council is here to help!