SCVN/FS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: 10:00 AM Thursday, March 12th
These are just my notes from my meeting with the FS this morning. 1) No significant decision or guidance has been offered by the USDA or the USFS other than to follow current risk assessment procedures (of which SCVN has none that apply to this situation) and protocols for minimizing exposure. 2) L. Holley, the Coronado National Forest(CNF) Safety Manager, and CJ Woodard our CNF –Santa Catalina District Ranger/SCRD Director have compiled risk assessments for every position within the District including Daily School Interpretive Programs of 50 or less persons(the 50 # is arbitrary – not meant to be a limit). According to their matrix our risk is “serious” BUT if we follow all the cleansing protocol including avoiding crowds in POORLY ventilated areas our risk is “negligible”. Now these are just “averaging numbers” on a chart without regard to ones’ age or special risk category and only assist the FS in their decision making when issuing restrictions. We WILL NOT and you DO NOT use this information to make your own decision. Each of us needs to make our own personal evaluation by gathering all the FACTS we can, with special consideration for our age demographic within SCVN. 3) All federal agencies are meeting with the CDC to get continuous updates. 4) The current situation with regards to restrictions could change on a moment’s notice. 5) The FS is considering “tele-working” as early as next week when able and appropriate. 6) Closing facilities will remain an option.
Stay tuned. We have another meeting with the FS/Sarah Corning at 3:00 PM today. Also be alert for local news and any decisions the school districts might be making.
The Kinder and Elementary field trips were both cancelled today due to weather. We are adjusting all kit presentations to ELIMINATE ALL hands-on activity – just demos by the naturalists and planning for a longer nature walk. We will honor and respect all individual decisions by our members with regards to their health and safety. Stay tuned and healthy. Phil