Dear YMCA Members,CELEBRATING THE LIFE & LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JRYou are invited to join the YMCA next week as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through The Y Cares: an initiative that uplifts, connects, celebrates and encourages those who need it. Join us in uplifting hospital and front-line health workers, who have been bravely caring for and tending to our neighbors throughout the pandemic; sending messages of hope, love, and inspiration to COVID19 patients who have been in isolation from friends, family, and loved ones; and, celebrating our teachers, who have been serving and supporting the development of children throughout the pandemic. Please visit www.ymcadc.org starting on Monday, January 18th, to participate in The Y Cares initiative.HOURS OF OPERATIONJanuary 18th through January 22ndNext week, the hours of operation in each Y have been adjusted as you can see on this link, in recognition of Inauguration day and the impact that it has on travel across the area. As many of our staff rely on the use of public transportation to support their daily commute, the Y has adjusted the hours of operation to support their safe and reliable travel. Please know that on day(s) when the YMCA is closed, the YMCA will continue to offer Group Exercise classes virtually, as available, recognizing that not all of our instructors have the ability to broadcast their classes from home. Please click on this link, and select your branch location, to see the updated schedule of classes that are available next week virtually from at your branch instructors. You can also click here, to see the full Association’s virtual schedule that is broadcast on Facebook.GETTING READY TO GET YOUR VACCINEThe CDC is clear: vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health. Through use of vaccines, smallpox was eradicated and the wild polio virus nearly eliminated. The number of people who experience the devastating effects of preventable infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough is at an all-time low. To learn more about the multiple COVID19 vaccines that are available, please click here to visit a webpage that the YMCA has developed to connect members and staff to the information that is available through the CDC and health organizations in each jurisdiction, to prepare to get the COVID19 vaccine. #Make A Difference Today.TRAVEL PROTOCOLOut of an abundance of caution, the travel protocol that has been in effect all month continues:
- The YMCA will continue asking all members and staff who travel to states other than Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to receive a negative COVID19 test result or quarantine for 10-days prior to returning to the YMCA.
- The YMCA is asking all members that have not been to the YMCA over the last 90-days to please first contact the Y and speak to their branch Executive Director to review all the protocols required within the facility that have been implemented since the pandemic started and to obtain approval for your return to the YMCA.
MASK POLICY & SOCIAL DISTANCINGThe YMCA will continue to enforce 100% proper wearing of masks, including covering the nose and mouth in accordance with CDC recommendations, by everyone on YMCA property. A reminder that for your health and that of your community, this policy will be strictly enforced. Social distancing requirements will continue to be upheld.Yours In Good Health,Your YMCA Family