COVID 19 Vaccination and Verification Update
January 13, 2022
Hello Stonewaller!
With COVID surging, thanks to Omicron, we wanted to provide updates regarding implementation of our COVID vaccination requirements for the Winter 2022 Sport Season. The entire Stonewall Sports Norfolk Board is continuing to work hard to ensure that we provide a safe, accessible, and fun season.
As a reminder -
Stonewall Sports Inc. requires all participants in all managed chapters to be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a negative test result prior to each participation. This means that you will not be permitted to play without confirmation of full COVID vaccinations (2 weeks after 2 Moderna\Pfizer-BioNTech doses or 1 Johnson & Johnson dose) or a negative test. Only select members from the SSI National Board and SSN Executive Board will have access to your response. All parties privy to this information have signed NDA's regarding confidentiality. Your information will not be shared in any way. Once responses are recorded properly, all documentation will be destroyed. With testing becoming limited, please ensure that you have a negative test available within 72 hours of an event or game or your vaccination record on file. A survey was sent out to all registered players for completion with a deadline of December 31. If you did not complete the survey, please contact norfolk.operations@stonewallsports.org for further instructions.
Spectators at Events and Sports. For the safety of our players, only spectators over the age of 21 years old will be permitted at all events and sports this season. Spectators will be required to adhere to the same vaccination requirements as players and must share proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid or PCR) within 72 hours of an event or game. Executive Board members will be present at all events and games to check-in each player and spectator for verification of vaccination or testing.
Safety Measures. We are providing you with the Virginia Department of Health Considerations for Recreational Health and for Social Gatherings and Events. Please review these carefully, and take every precaution to protect yourself and others against exposure. Pursuant to the same, we would encourage you, if tolerable, to wear a mask while playing indoor sports, especially any sport that involves close contact.
Dodgeball. The Jewish Community Center is requiring that all participants (players and spectators) must wear masks when not actively playing. Masks are required for entry.
Bowling. AMF Bowling is complying with adherence to all local and state health and safety guidelines. We would encourage all players and spectators to wear masks.
COVID Exposure. In the event of potential exposure to others, we will take reasonable efforts to notify those that may have come into contact while protecting their privacy and well-being of the community. In the event of multiple instances, we will take appropriate actions based on CDC and local guidance. Please also consider downloading the COVIDWISE app to help stop the spread of the virus.
If you were exposed to COVID or if you are sick or test positive for COVID, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#calculating-quarantine for further instructions about quarantine and isolation.
If you are experiencing symptoms or just don’t feel well, please refrain from attending any scheduled games or events. We will look forward to seeing you again when you are well!
We are also including FAQ’s below that may answer any other questions.
Your safety and the safety of our community is at the forefront of our minds. If you have questions please reach out
to us at norfolk.info@stonewallsports.org. at Xxx”
Abigail Southern-Kline She/Her/Hers Administrative Director Stonewall Sports Norfolk
FAQs
Why is Stonewall mandating a vaccine requirement? The LGBTQ+ community is often marginalized in healthcare access and outcomes. As leaders, we strongly support CDC guidance that the most effective way to protect oneself and the community around them is to receive the vaccine. As a result, and in alignment with other major LGBTQ+ sporting events and other large gatherings, we support doing everything possible to protect the community and encourage our members to do the same.
Why require vaccines now? We recognize that after this email, it would not be possible to achieve full vaccination status with a two-dose vaccine before the start of the Winter 2022 season. This is one reason we provide the option to provide a negative COVID-19 test. We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is a moving target and CDC and local guidance has and will continuously change; however we feel that one of the best ways to protect our community is to encourage and require the vaccine to attend our events.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines are free and have become widely available in the U.S. Everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. For more information, please visit https://getvaccineanswers.org/. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find vaccination providers near you.
What if I have chosen not to get the vaccine or cannot due to medical or religious exemptions? We ask that you provide a negative COVID-19 test close to the event or gameplay date (with 72 hours). If you need help finding or affording a test, please reach out.
What if I am uncomfortable with submitting my vaccine or test information online? At the event or sport an executive board member will be available to verify your information in person. You may show this information to Lee Soontornpatee, Kurtiss Smith, Alexandra Pouder or Abigail Southern-Kline at any event or sport, whomever you are most comfortable with.
Do I need to have my physical vaccine card or a photo of it during an event or gameplay? For the purposes of attending events and sports, no; HOWEVER, we recommend bringing a copy or a photo as our sponsors and event venues may have more stringent requirements or require additional verification.
What if I or another player is symptomatic or tests positive during an event or sport? In the event of potential exposure to other players, we will take reasonable efforts to notify those that may have come into contact while protecting their privacy and well-being of the community. In the event of multiple instances, we will take appropriate actions based on CDC and local guidance
COVID SAFETY MEASURES
From Virginia Department of Health Considerations for Recreational Sports
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/sports/
VDH provides recommendations for participation in recreational sports based on CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports and
Physical Activity:
During times of substantial and high COVID-19 activity in a community, participating in recreational sports may increase risk of COVID-19 transmission. This is especially true with large indoor events and close contact sports. Consider the extent of community transmission in a region/locality when deciding whether to participate. During times of high disease spread, organizers of such events should consider cancelling or postponing competition in favor of lesser risk activities such as low-contact drills or practices.
Mask Recommendations:
Indoors: If tolerable, wear a mask while playing indoor sports, especially any sport that involves close contact. At K-12 schools, masks are not required when exercising, but should still be worn if possible when engaging in active sports play. Anyone (age 2 and up) should wear a mask on the sideline, in the locker room, or in the stands when in a school or when transmission levels are substantial or high.
Outdoors: Playing outdoor sports is generally safer than indoors. Unvaccinated athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators should strongly consider wearing masks, especially if close contact is likely to occur. Fully vaccinated people might also consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor spaces if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised.
Wearing masks is especially important during indoor competition and practices. Wearing masks is also important in shared spaces such as locker rooms, and during shared transportation (including carpooling) to/from an event. Coaches and/or officials should monitor proper use. Individual outdoor sports that do not involve close contact (e.g. golf, singles tennis, etc) may not necessitate wearing a mask. Masks are generally well tolerated during exercise; however, masks may need to be removed under certain
circumstances (e.g. if the masks become wet). Encourage athletes to bring more than one mask to practice or games in case their mask gets wet or soiled during play. There are some sports in which the mask could become a choking hazard or inadvertently impair vision and should not be worn, such as cheerleading-tumbling/stunting, gymnastics, wrestling and water sports.
Even vaccinated participants and spectators should wear masks in crowded indoor places, including while carpooling during times of substantial or high transmission. Prioritize outdoor play as much as possible.
COVID-19 is also spread off the field. Close contact in locker rooms, in carpooling, or in other confined spaces are high-risk situations, and should be avoided to the extent possible. Pre-game meetings and post-game ceremonies should be avoided or modified to allow proper distancing. Some large events such as marathons and large sports tournaments have attractions such as live music or food vendors where people gather together. These additional attractions should be discouraged to minimize gathering, and race organizers should encourage people not to congregate at the start and finish of races.
Indoor environments are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19. While being outside does not remove the risk of transmitting COVID-19, indoor spaces are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19. This is especially true if spaces are crowded or have poor ventilation. Spectators or other attendees/participants who are shouting and cheering, or having additional activities such as a pep band may increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, and are an additional concern in indoor environments. Prioritize outdoor play, as opposed to indoor, as much as possible.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should remain at home and seek testing. Participants with a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 should follow VDH’s quarantine guidelines before returning to practices and competitions.
Participants who have recovered from COVID-19 infection should resume activities gradually. Participants should not return until they meet VDH’s criteria for leaving isolation. Participants who had severe or moderate COVID-19 infections should consult their primary care provider before resuming sports activities.
Additional Considerations:
People involved in recreational sports should consider their household’s level of risk and interaction with other at-risk populations when determining whether to participate in recreational sports. Factors that place people (including household members) at higher
risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 include older age, not being vaccinated, and certain medical conditions.
BEST PRACTICES
All eligible participants should be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce risk of transmission of COVID-19.
All participants and spectators should maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance to the extent possible. Exercise and activities like cheering and shouting increase respiration and can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 and may benefit from additional distancing (e.g. 10 feet). Sports that can be modified to increase the distance between participants in practice or in play are encouraged.
Disinfect shared items between each use, to the extent practicable.
Wash cloth masks after each use.
To improve physical distancing, limit occupancy in training facilities and locker
rooms by staggering training sessions and pre-game preparation.
Limit carpooling when traveling for competition or to practices. When group
transportation is required, reduce vehicle occupancy to allow for the greatest distance possible between persons not of the same household and require individuals to wear a mask while being transported.
Establish policies for pre- and post-game activities that discourage close contact between players, coaches, and families not of the same household, including when participants are sharing living facilities.
Consider screening testing, especially for school-sponsored sports.
COVID SAFETY MEASURES
Virginia Department of Health Consideration for Social Gatherings and Events https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/social-gatherings/
When making decisions about going to public spaces or attending social events, it's important to think about the risk of spreading COVID-19. Factors to consider include your own ability to wear a mask or vaccination status, your risk for developing severe COVID-19, and whether you live with someone at higher risk for developing severe illness. Individuals should consider the following before attending a social gathering:
Vaccination status: The best way to protect yourself and others at a gathering is to get vaccinated. If you are gathering with people you know, encourage them to get vaccinated as well.
Level of COVID-19 spread in the community: Higher levels of COVID-19 in the community where the gathering will be held or where the attendees are coming from mean that there is a higher risk that someone could be infected with COVID-19. VDH has developed a dashboard to help make decisions based on data.
The number of people at the gathering: If there are many people in a space, it may be harder to stay at least 6 feet from others. The risk of COVID-19 spread also increases if there are more people at the event or if they come from many different places. If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
Location: Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings. Gatherings in large, well-ventilated spaces are safer than gatherings in smaller spaces that are not well-ventilated.
Duration: Spending less time with people outside your household is safer than spending longer periods of time.
Behavior of people attending the gathering: If people have not been following COVID-19 precautions before the event, then there is a greater risk of someone having it who attends the event and potentially spreading it to other attendees. Practicing safe behaviors during the event, like distancing and wearing masks, can prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the event. Certain activities, including cheering
or singing, are known to increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. If people are drinking alcohol, they may be less likely to keep at least 6 feet from others, wear a mask, or not shout.
Recommendations for Hosting Gatherings
Encourage all attendees who are eligible to get vaccinated and get a booster dose.
Remind invited guests to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and to follow all VDH recommendations for isolation/quarantine if they recently had
COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19.
Host your gathering outdoors whenever possible. If this is not feasible, make sure
the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows if it doesn’t pose a
safety risk).
When guests arrive, minimize activities that promote close contact. Consider
having activities available that allow attendees to remain at least 6 feet apart.
Provide masks for guests or ask them to bring their own.
Wear a mask if not fully vaccinated, and even if fully vaccinated when transmission
levels are substantial or high. Masking is especially important when indoors or
when attendees are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance outdoors.
Provide hand sanitizer in addition to clearly marked hand washing areas.
Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.
Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not
share a towel.
Make sure everyone uses their own cup and dishes and uses utensils to grab
shared foods like chips.
Clean commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when
feasible.
Consider postponing/cancelling gatherings when levels of transmission are
substantial or high.
Recommendations for Attending Gatherings
○ Stay home if you have symptoms and follow all VDH recommendations for
isolation/quarantine if you recently had COVID-19 or were exposed to
COVID-19.
○ Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people who don’t live in
your household. Be particularly mindful in areas where it may be harder to
keep this distance, such as check-in areas and routes of entry and exit.
○ Wear a mask if not fully vaccinated, and even when fully vaccinated if transmission levels are substantial or high to minimize the risk of transmitting
the virus.
○ Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately before eating food or after touching any common surfaces like hand railings, payment kiosks, door handles, and toilets.