Operation Shower is hosting in-person events again as we know how much these assist and mean to military families across the country. The health and safety of our guests, volunteers and staff is of utmost importance to us as we work to make sure all those attending Operation Shower events, and everyone helping to host the event, will be safe.
Operation Shower is implementing the following Covid-19 event protocols for our staff, volunteers, the new moms, moms-to-be and other guests.
Operation Shower’s guidelines/rules for each Operation Shower Event are based primarily on these factors:
- the current Covid-19 Community Level (Low, Medium or High) in the county where the applicable shower is located, as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“Community Level”): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html
- Please review these guidelines prior to attending the shower
- the space in which we are holding the event (outdoor or indoor and ventilation)
- the increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19 to pregnant women
Please note that the safety protocols for each shower may vary based on CDC guidance at the time as well as any requirements put in place by government jurisdictions. If new guidelines are instituted, protocols will be updated and sent to the attendees. Please check your emails before your shower event to ensure there are no changes to the current shower policies.
MASKS:
Regardless of the Community Level, people may choose to wear a mask at any time and masks will be provided on-site at all Operation Shower events.
According to the CDC, masks are recommended for those at high risk when the Community Level is medium and for everyone when the Community Level is high:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
Operation Shower Staff
Operation Shower staff are required to wear masks on flights and in airports as they travel to the shower event, regardless of the Community Level.
Operation Shower staff are required to wear masks on set up day and shower day when the Community Level is medium or high.
When the Community Level is low, Operation Shower staff will be recommended (but not required) to wear masks.
Volunteers and Guests (not attending with a mom-to-be)
Volunteers at the Operation Shower event will be required to wear masks on set up day and shower day when the Community Level is medium or high.
Guests at the Operation Shower event will be required to wear masks on shower day when the Community Level is high.
When the Community Level is low, volunteers and guests will be recommended (but not required) to wear masks.
Vendors who will not be staying for the shower are not required to test but must socially distance as much as possible during their set-up, and wear a mask when the Community Level is medium or high. When Community Levels are low, vendors will be recommended (but not required) to wear masks.
Moms and Their Guests
When the Community Level is high, moms and their guests will be required to wear masks at an indoor event, and will be recommended (but not required) to wear masks at outdoor events.
When the Community Level is medium or low, masks will be recommended (but not required) for moms and their guests.
TESTING:
Operation Shower Staff
Operation Shower staff are required to take a rapid-test on all travel days, set up days and shower days, regardless of the Community Level.
Volunteers
Volunteers at the Operation Shower event are required to test on set up day and shower day, regardless of the Community Level. Operation Shower will provide the rapid testing on-site.
Moms and Their Guests
When the Community Level is low, Operation Shower will not require moms and their guests attending the Operation Shower event to test on the day of the shower. However, Operation Shower will provide rapid testing to any moms who request it on shower day.
When the Community Level is medium, Operation Shower will encourage military moms and their guests attending the Operation Shower event to test on the day of the shower. Operation Shower will provide rapid testing on-site prior to the shower. Moms and their guests shall let Operation Shower know in advance that they would like to test.
Moms and their guests at the Operation Shower event are required to test when the Community Level is high. Operation Shower will provide the rapid testing on-site prior to the shower.
All Other Guests
Guests who attend the shower on behalf of sponsors or the military will comply with their company/organization’s applicable rules, however, Operation Shower recommends these guests test prior to an Operation Shower event when the Community level is medium or low. These guests will be required to test when the Community Level is high. In either case above, Operation Shower will provide the testing, on-site, prior to the shower.
Vendors who will not be staying for the shower are not required to test but must wear a mask and socially distance as much as possible during their set-up, and wear a mask when the Community Level is medium or high. When Community Levels are low, vendors will be recommended (but not required) to wear masks.
For all persons attending the event, even if testing negative – if a person is currently exhibiting symptoms of possible Covid-19 (as defined by current CDC guidance), or has been around anyone who has tested positive within 10 days of the event, that person may not attend the event (see Screening below).
** Operation Shower reserves the right to revise these requirements for masks and testing as it deems appropriate. The above guidelines are subject to change if circumstances change or if we determine more precautions should be taken due to the moms’ situations or requests.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It is important to keep in mind the CDC guidelines for pregnancy. Please review the CDC guidelines:
Pregnant and recently pregnant people (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy) are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
Guidelines for Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html
SCREENING
- In addition to the above masking and/or testing requirements, each time an employee, volunteer or guest plans to come to an Operation Shower event, they must self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms prior to arriving at the event as follows:
- Check their temperature
- Consider whether they have any of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Consider if they have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
- If any employee, volunteer or guest has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, has any of the above symptoms, or has been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days, they may not attend an Operation Shower event.
- If any employee, volunteer or guest develops any symptoms of a respiratory illness while at the Operation Shower event, they must leave immediately, and contact their healthcare provider for additional guidance.
- Employees, volunteers or guests must notify an Operation Shower staff member, in writing, as soon as possible, if they or anyone they have brought to the event (employees, volunteers or guests) has tested positive and have been onsite at an Operation Shower event in the preceding 10 days. Operation Shower will then work with the applicable local health department for guidance on the steps to be taken to notify those who attended the event.
- Any employee, volunteer or guest who is vaccinated and recently recovered from Covid-19 is allowed to attend an Operation Shower event, under the following protocols:
- the individual must be 10 days past symptoms on the date of the event; and
- the individual must have a negative rapid antigen test.
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMPLIANCE:
Compliance with these Covid-19 health and safety rules is mandatory, and attendance at any Operation Shower event is conditioned on such compliance. If an employee, volunteer, mom or guest violates any of these health and safety rules, such person may be denied entry to or removed from the event.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
- An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. We cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your attendance at the shower event.
- By attending a shower, you assume all risks, hazards, and dangers arising from or relating in any way to the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other communicable disease or illness, or a bacteria, virus, or other pathogens capable of causing a communicable disease or illness, whether occurring before, during, or after the shower, however, caused or contracted, and you voluntarily waive all claims and potential claims against Operation Shower, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, contractors, vendors, members, performers, officers, employees, agents, insurers, representatives, volunteers, and the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing entities and persons, arising from or relating in any way to such risks.