Dear Members:
As you know, there is much conversation happening about seasonal illnesses, the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Junior League of Baton Rouge is committed to helping keep our members, as well as our event guests and those we serve, safe. The League is monitoring recommendations and alerts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local officials to follow their expert guidance.
Additionally, I am in regular communication with the Board of Directors as the local situation evolves to evaluate League-hosted activities and to maintain timely and transparent communication with our membership.
At this time, there are no scheduling changes to upcoming in-League or community programming, including the Women's Leadership Conference, committee or council meetings or Touch A Truck.
As the CDC has emphasized, there is not currently a COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Given how quickly the global situation is evolving, the League will continue to evaluate and adapt events and programs as needed and accordingly. The League will provide updates when there are changes to existing programming, with the health and well-being of our volunteers, employees, guests and their families remaining paramount.
Frequent hand washing and staying home when sick are the most important actions to take to stop the spread of any virus. Additionally, the League encourages volunteers take these steps:
- Please notify your committee chair if you are returning from international travel in a restricted area as noted by the CDC, or if you have had close contact with any individual being monitored for symptoms of COVID-19.
- If you are ill, please stay home and notify your committee chair or Vice President, particularly if you have flu-like symptoms such as a cough, fever or difficulty breathing. Free conference call solutions are available to ensure you are able to receive important council, committee or management updates.
- Please be mindful about preventing the spread of fear or misinformation. Show empathy and respect for others while serving in the League and in the community.
- Minimize the risk of infection by conscientious hand-washing, sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or tissue, greeting in ways other than hand-shaking and making use of hand sanitizers when provided at public gatherings.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seasonal flu still poses a threat to your health so if you haven’t already, please consider getting a flu shot.
Please pay close attention to official public updates as well as emails and social media from the League as they may contain information about the COVID-19 situation. In the event you have a question relating to your individual circumstances, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Namisha Patel Vasanji
President, Junior League of Baton Rouge
Basic Information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): For those who may be unaware, Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a contagious respiratory illness that may appear 2-14 days after exposure. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms can include fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Like the flu, individuals who are elderly or pregnant, and anyone with preexisting medical conditions, are at the greatest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Please be informed about the virus, how it spreads, how to identify symptoms, and recommended actions to prevent the virus from spreading. Up to date information can be found on the CDC website.
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