<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Hi Gina and everyone,<br class=""><br class="">I agree that we need to have a talk about going forward with the conference with the COVID-19 concerns as soon as possible. <br class="">Is there any way we could have a phone call this Friday morning to discuss our plan, before the support team orientation and our final walk-through scheduled for Monday?<br class=""><br class="">Speaking for myself, there is so much that the communications team has to do with sending confirmations to attendees, printing badges, the programs, the signage, and we planned to work on all of this over the weekend. We need to know whether to spend the time and resources.<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">The sooner we can chart a course, the better it will be for everyone, including the attendees, the support team, and especially the presenters. I can envision a few options including moving forward with the conference with modifications, or postponement, or a virtual conference or a full cancellation.<br class=""><br class="">I gathered some current info, and hope you find it helpful. On our website, we state we are following the CDC guidance…and here it is. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">The current CDC guidance states this for older adults with regard to events and public spaces:</div><div class=""><ul class=""><li class="">To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something</li><li class=""> Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.</li><li class=""> If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus.</li><li class="">CDC website: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" class="">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html</a></li></ul></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">The Chicago Department of Public Health says this (see attached pdf):<br class=""><div class=""><ul class=""><li class="">Older people and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. They should limit travel and should not attend large gatherings unless it is essential.</li><li class="">Event organizers should stay informed on the latest developments and public health guidance, review existing emergency operations plans, and determine criteria and strategies for postponing or canceling events.</li><li class="">CDPH website:<font face="AvenirNext-Regular" class=""> <span style="color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><a href="http://www.chicago.gov/coronavirus" class="">http://www.chicago.gov/coronavirus</a></span></font></li></ul></div><div class="">We will figure it out!</div><div class="">Amy</div></div></body></html>