Practicing Covid safety in an ongoing Pandemic

Written By SENSORIA

Masking, air ventilation, awareness of symptoms and social distance. For some this sounds like remnants of an past pandemic. But to us, it is our present and ever-evolving future.

THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER. Covid, unlike the Flu or Common cold- is NOT a seasonal illness. And this summer alone cases and new variants have been spiking rapidly. So it is absolutely VITAL that we continue to protect and support ourselves and our most vulnerable. Covid IS a mass-disabling event. Catching it can severely weaken the immune system and lead to chronic illness. And for the immunocompromised it can be the gateway to other diseases even death.

I don’t say this to dampen, weigh down or terrify you. I say it to equip you with the knowledge to be safe, secure and feel most supported. And thus here are the SENSORIA COVID SAFETY GUIDELINES:

OUR COMMITTMENTS

We AT SENSORIA commit to practicing Covid safety within our team with any supporting artists, our community and beyond. We will do so by masking, shielding, social distancing, regular testing and staying at home where necessary.

AT IN-PERSON events, we WILL ENSURE our Covid safety guidelines are followed as well as ensuring:

  • HEPA filters are installed at all events and/or venues OR a clean air ventillation system at the venue is installed and in use

  • As many doors and windows will be open for cross ventilation

  • There will always be MASKS onsite and available for any member of the public to take and use- they will be of the most updated and safest specification.

YOUR COMMITTMENTS

If you have been in contact with someone with Covid in the last 2-3 days or less than a week ago please do not come to one of our events UNLESS

  • You have tested negative via lateral flows - once or more than once.

  • You mask throughout the event (only with N95 or above specification) - see this mask guide for what are up to date protective masks to guard against Covid transmission. 

If you have any of the following symptoms:

  • A Severe, persistent cough 

  • A high temperature or fever 

  • Loss of taste or smell 

  • Dizziness, nausea and extreme neuropathy 

And they are not part of a chronic illness or condition you are used to dealing with, it is not catching and you have safety measurements and protocols to keep yourself safe at our event  such as Asthma, Chronic fatigue or long Covid, MS, FND etc.

PLEASE SO NOT COME TO OUR event. UNLESS

  • You have tested negative via lateral flows - once or more than once.

  • You mask throughout the event (only with N95 or above specification) 

    If you are unsure if you might need assistance at our event or advice attending our event please continue reading the guidance or call this number here: 07948395905 Or email us at info@wearesensoria.co.uk 

As a chronically ill, disabled led organisation we want to emphasise the importance of slowness and sustainability in the way that we practice PACING- that means that if you are unwell and unable to attend THIS event. We encourage you to REST and recover and prioritise your healing and safety in the short term it meaning you may be able to come to and enjoy more of our events in the long term 

PLEASE THINK carefully about the ramifications of spreading illness in our community and doing more damage to yourself long term by NOT resting when you need and potentially exacerbating your symptoms.

We understand this is a really hard decision to make. (I was relapsing on and off for 4 years before I realised how sick pushing my chronically ill body was making me!) but THAT is why SENSORIA exists to prioritise safe spaces for rest and recuperation for disabled and chronically ill people, sometimes and especially even if they don’t want to and even if that means they cannot attend our events. 

We will ALWAYS endeavour to prioritise online accessible and live-streamed as well as in-person events so they are accessible for those of you who may have to stay at home due to being housebound or catching Covid.

But we welcome all and any feedback in this vein. 

Please let us know how we can do BETTER in the comments, via instagram DM, email at info@wearesensoria.co.uk OR in-person.

Words by Saskia Horton

SENSORIA
Next

A Year of SENSORIA