2022 DSA Public Health Covid-19 Protocols

Whereas CDC guidelines recommend implementation of safety protocols in regards to in-person events that are reliant on metrics that present the data based on the impact to healthcare systems rather than the risk to individual health and safety

Whereas data driven decision making should be at the focal point of any Covid-19 response,

Whereas the coronavirus has had an outsize impact on the Black community and failure to address the pandemic within a social justice framework supports white supremacy,

Whereas New Orleans DSA recognizes the importance of providing unified messaging and directives to assist in assessing risk level in chapter work during a pandemic, and

Whereas many members of our community have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, and

Whereas, thanks to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and the declining case rate, there is now a different situation than when these protocols were first adopted, and it is time to update them accordingly,

Let it be resolved;

New Orleans DSA will use information provided by the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard to determine whether any in-person events are advisable. This decision will be based on the number of new cases and positive test rate. Our guidelines will be based on this public health information rather than the business-focused “Phased Reopening” or metrics designed to gauge the stress on the healthcare system as opposed to the risk of infection occurring in group settings. Based on these metrics we will seek to minimize scenarios that facilitate Covid transmission, namely unmasked gatherings indoors. If an event is to be held in a venue or location which does not require proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test, event organizers will need to inform attendees of our vaccination requirement in RSVP or Sign-Up forms or before beginning the event to ensure group safety as well as checking vaccination status at the sign-in table.

• CODE RED (Active or Imminent Outbreak)

• As defined by: 100+ cases per day, 7 day rolling average and/or a test positivity rate > 5%

— All non-essential in-person events indoors are canceled. Outdoor events are contingent on local hospital capacity. If the city’s dashboard states the Covid-19 community level is high, all events must be virtual. Essential events (such as food distribution) and outdoor events will be conducted using the chapter’s SOP for In-Person Events When Appropriate

• CODE YELLOW

• As defined by: More than 50 cases per day, 7 day rolling average and/or a test positivity rate > 3%

 —  No in-person events that include activities that require unmasking indoors (ex: eating or drinking) unless the location has a vaccine mandate (you must show proof of vaccination status or a negative PCR test.)  

•  CODE GREEN

— In-person events indoors require proof of vaccination from attendees or a negative covid test within the last 12 hours) Masks required indoors unless eating or drinking.

• Members who do not wish to divulge vaccination status will count as non-vaccinated

Additionally;

In-person events will include sign-in sheets to allow for contact tracing and masks encouraged in large groups.

Even when New Orleans DSA begins to hold in-person events, a live stream and online voting will continue to be offered to ensure that anyone who does not wish to attend in-person is able to participate fully, co-equal to in-person attendees. Further, committees, working groups, and other small meetings will be welcome to continue meeting via Zoom for convenience per their group’s preferences.