Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

 

UPDATE:  Monday, March 30.  

  • Following indications from Governor Bakers office, CRI will remain closed until May 4.
  • Take a look at the CRI Upstream Portal to stay connected, get some excercise, even discover a new rowing book.  
  • We look forward to seeing you Upstream!

 

UPDATE:  Monday, March 23.  

  • Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday ordered all businesses and organizations that are not providing essential services to close, effective Tuesday at noon.  Baker said the order will run until April 7. All non-essential businesses will have to close their physical workspaces and facilities to customers and the public.  Baker said he was not issuing a stay-at-home order.

  • No reported cases at CRI 
  • Take a look at the CRI Upstream Portal to stay connected, get some excercise, even discover a new rowing book.  
  • We look forward to seeing you Upstream!

 

 

UPDATE:  Saturday, March 21.  

  • No reported cases at CRI 
  • We hope everyone remains safe and healthy.  Be well!

 

 

UPDATE:  5:15 Wednesday, March 18.  Next update no later than Friday, March 20 5pm

  • No reported cases at CRI and there is no update otherwise at this time
  • We hope everyone remains safe and healthy.  Be well!

THE EARLIEST CRI WILL OPEN IS APRIL 8

UPDATE:  11:30 MONDAY, March 16.  Next update no later than Wednesday March 18 before Noon

THE EARLIEST CRI WILL OPEN IS APRIL 8

  • CRI will not open before April 8, per Governor Baker’s directive yesterday that schools will be closed and there is a restriction to keep gatherings below 25 people through April 7.
  • We will continue to monitor a safe return date for programs and teams

NO REPORTED CASES AT CRI

  • The response team is meeting twice daily, every day to collaborate on CRI's response to this crisis 
  • With this in mind, we are establishing a landing page that will summarize information to help inform us
  • As of this update, there have been no confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 reported to CRI.  

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING 

  • We are closing in on technology platforms that will enable us to livestream events to our community as well as create opportunities for our people to connect virtually - whether that will be coaches reaching their squads or members looking to share workouts together.  
  • We'll have more to share in this section of our updates soon, so look back to this page for opportunties to join us and share time with our incredible community.
  • OPEN HOUSE.  MARCH 22.  CANCELLED

UPDATE:  2:00 Sunday, March 15.  Next update no later than Tuesday March 17 before Noon

NO REPORTED CASES AT CRI

  • The response team is meeting twice daily, every day to collaborate on CRI's response to this crisis 
  • With this in mind, we are establishing a landing page that will summarize information to help inform us
  • As of this update, there have been no confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 reported to CRI.  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING 

  • We are closing in on technology platforms that will enable us to livestream events to our commuinity as well as create opporutnities for our people to connect virtually - whether that will be coaches reaching their squads or members looking to share workouts together.  
  • We'll have more to share in this section of our updates soon, so look back to this page for opportunties to join us and share time with our incredible community.
  • OPEN HOUSE.  MARCH 22.  CANCELLED

UPDATE 11:45, Friday, March 13.  Next update no later than Monday March 16 before Noon

No Update

CRI IS CLOSED UNTIL MARCH 30

We appreciate the remarkable outpouring of goodwill and good wishes to all of the staff at CRI.  We want to reiterate our gratitude and thanks to our incredible community of rowers, friends and supporters who we know are have "our backs"... you are in our hearts!  Thank you.  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING:

  • ACTIVATION SENSATION. Saturday, March 14.  11am to 2pm.  CANCELLED
  • PROGRAMMING:  WEEK OF MARCH 16. CANCELLED

UPDATE 6:45, Thursday, March 12.  Next update no later than Friday March 13 before Noon

CRI IS CLOSED UNTIL MARCH 30

Out of our concern for the community and to reduce transmission of COVID-19, we will be closed to all individuals and programs until at least until Monday, March 30 In the interim, we will be in touch with you about additional detail and future decisions regarding programming.  

And, we will continue to evaluate this developing situation and update this website and our staff accordingly as needed.  

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING:

  • ACTIVATION SENSATION. Saturday, March 14.  11am to 2pm.  CANCELLED
  • PROGRAMMING:  WEEK OF MARCH 16. CANCELLED

 

UPDATE 5:45, THURSDAY, MARCH 12.  Next update, no later than Friday March 13 at Noon

CRI is monitoring the developing announcements and news of the day and leadership remains direct contact in public health officials and professionals.  

We plan to remain open as of now. We are taking steps to serve our community until we learn that closing CRI is the better option for us all. 

We encourage our community to decide individually about about their comfort level in coming to CRI with the care for themselves, our community and our team mates in mind.  This goes for our rowers as well as our staff.

Today we:

  • Implemented the 2Eights/2Coaches Rule.  No more than 20 people to share communal meeting/huddle space
  • Communicated a plan to update our coaches before each practice regarding real time concerns or issues and encourage feedback regarding their concerns or question directly to leadership
  • Implemented Essential Safe Distance of 6' 
  • Reduced the number of ergs in the Community Room by 50%
  • Accelerated installation of the Summer Tent
    • The Tent will be installed on Wednesday, March 18 to provide additional covered and outdoor space

UPDATE 11:45AM, THURSDAY, MARCH 12.  Next update, no later than Friday March 13

Below are some bullet updates from today’s response team meeting - for those who don’t know, we created a Covid Response team that meets/speaks every day at 8:30am - weekdays and weekends (rain or shine too ;) 

  • If you want to share anything with this group, email Nonna.  She is our Information Officer for the COVID-19 response.

  • No updates from CRI, the website, or theLaunch means we’ve met and there’s “no update”  

Update for our rowers 

FOR OUR STAFF

 Please review today's edition of TheLaunch which was sent at 11:30 this morning.  In TheLaunch we publicized our

  • Sick Policy update
  • Working from Home
  • Activation Sensation

FOR OUR ROWERS

Practices will be held as scheduled until further notice.  The following protocols have been put into place and coaches are expected to follow without exception.

  • Use non-contact greetings (no high fives, fist bumps, etc.)
  • Maintain essential social distance (6 feet) between athletes and coaches to whatever extent practical.
    • Today we are reducing the number of ergs by 50% by removing every other erg in the Community Room
    • Practice ‘Healthy Handle Hygiene’ at every practice - wipe down equipment before & after each use
    • Allow for 6' separation for stretching in open areas between athletes
    • Please keep practice huddles to no more than 20 (2 8s, 2 coaches). If your squad is bigger, break down into two or more groups to meet this expectation

  • CRI’s new 2 EIGHTS/ 2 COACHES APPROACH to in-practice meetings 

    • 2 Eights/2Coaches means groups of 20 or less (not counting dogs;) should aggregate together  

    • Huddle in groups less than 20 before or after practices - not more

    • Working out in larger groups is fine where space allows, but keep social distance for the foreseeable future

  • Stretching mats, bands and yoga blocks will be removed from use and will be stored for the next 30 days

  • We’ve added ten, 2-Gallon spray bottles with disinfectant for oar cleaning outside the oar bay and sculling pavilion

    • Athletes ane coaches are welcome to use a hose provided by the shop shop to quickly rinse off handles after they are disinfected

    • We want everyone to use single use, fabric towels to dry the handles off (more towels are coming).

UPDATE 7PM, WEDNESDAY MARCH 11.  Next Update, no later than Friday, March 13.

Since yesterday, we along with all of you, have been learning more about COVID-19 and how it is impacting everyday lives, routines, schools, and businesses across the country and the world.  For CRI, that means understanding how it affects our incredible staff, our athletes and their families.  We have been making necessary adjustments to our operations in response to this outbreak to provide a safe and sanitary environment for everyone who comes through our doors.  

  • YETI - CRI will continue to host our annual indoor rowing event for 1200+ middle school rowers - this year with a twist.  We are hosting it on line!  Stay tuned for more information and/or click here
  • We have increased daily cleaning of the facility to three times per day and have added a weekly deep clean / disinfectant cleaning 
  • We now have over 10 active handle cleaning stations with a tripling of clean towel service and increased signage  

In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to come together and support one another.  CRI plays an integral role in the life of our community and we intend to continue to support our staff as they have supported us as well as provide everyone who embraces us the opporunity to learn and grow through resilience, cooperation and inclusion.  We will continue to asses this situation on a day-by-day, case-by-case basis.  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING:

  • ACTIVATION SENSATION. Saturday, March 14.  11am to 2pm.  AS SCHEDULED
  • PROGRAMMING:  WEEK OF MARCH 16.  AS SCHEDULED

 

UPDATE 4:30 Tuesday March 10, 2020:

We listened to Governor Baker's press conference this afternoon addressing mitigation of the spread of Covid-19.

  • Per the Governor's direction, CRI will continue to follow the direction of Federal and State health officials and reinforce the messages around safety and hygiene:

We are in direct regular contact with local and state health officials as well as recommendations and support from key stakeholders in CRI involving decisions about programming.

  • CRI has created a response team that will speak/meet daily to address and communicate relevant notifications or responses to daily events as  appropriate
  • Nonna Giunta will act as CRI's Information Officer for the duration of this event: 

Please feel free to share relevant governmental or advisory communications that will help inform CRI of the evolution of the process.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • We are in regular and consistent contact with our staff to update them on our approach to operations and intentions
  • Refer to information below for our guidance on self quarantine and decision making about your choices to join programs

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING:

  • ACTIVATION SENSATION. Saturday, March 14.  11am to 2pm.  AS SCHEDULED
  • PROGRAMMING:  WEEK OF MARCH 16.  AS SCHEDULED

 

UPDATE 2:00pm Friday March 6, 2020: 

We had scheduled sending a message to our community today at noon regarding our response to Covid -19 but learned of the one additional case discovered in Wellesley earlier in the day: 

  • As mentioned the Coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation that will require consistent and regular communication 

  • Since learning of the Wellesley case, we are in regular touch with the State Department of Health and local medical professionals and we are continuing to  follow their suggested guidelines 

  • We may send updates coming to coaches/staff/teams as we continue to monitor and react to current events 

  • Please review the main content of our message below

Yesterday, CRI issued its second update regarding the coronavirus and its impact on our community. We will continue to follow the most up-to-date guidance and procedures from public health officials, assessing conditions assure our community but also open a direct line of communication to me if there are questions or concerns.

 

UPDATE, March 5, 2020:

As stated in our initial update, CRI will continue to follow the most up-to-date guidance and procedures from public health officials, assessing conditions on an ongoing basis. 

New Guidance from the CDC: 

  • 14-Day self-quarantine for travelers returning from China and Iran, Italy, South Korea
  • This means that individuals who have traveled to any of these countries should self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the U.S. and notify their doctor if they become sick. 
  • The CDC also recommends that travelers returning from Japan limit contact with others and self-monitor for symptoms.

 Information Regarding Self-Quarantine

  • If you are sick: Stay home until you feel better, and contact your doctor if you are concerned you may have been exposed to this illness.
  • Please do your best to share factual information, and avoid speculation and rumor. The CDC has also issued guidance aimed at reducing stigma and bias  
  • During a time of anxiety and fear, it is especially important to offer one another respect, support and compassion.

Decision-Making Around CRI Closures

We have received some questions about the potential need for closure.  Because CRI is such an interconnected organization with children from multiple school districts and adults from a broad geography (and travel itineraries), decisions about closure will be quite complex.

CRI will make decisions about closure on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis. We recognize that closing CRI has repercussions for wellbeing of our families and their safety. These concerns will be taken into consideration in any decision-making. 

If directives from public health officials change, we will notify you as soon as possible.

Continued Preparedness Planning

CRI Leadership is actively working on plans and contingency plans, and encourage members of the community to contribute to these efforts by making your own plans for coping with the potential of disruption to schools and our community. We will do our best to support and inform our community -- and we are all going to need to pull together in this spirit.

Please report any health concerns to Ted Benford - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

As always, medical questions and concerns should be brought to medical professionals, your own doctor, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617.983.6800.

UPDATE:  Tuesday, March 3, 2020:

Your safety and health is our number one priority.  The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly changing situation so we will update this page regularly and will update our community in the e-news as relevant, new information becomes available.  We believe communication and engagement by our community is key - please join us to ensure the health and safety of our rowers and staff alike.

It appears that people at greatest risk for severe illness includes older adults (over age 60) and those with underlying health conditions.  Infection in healthy children and teenagers has been rare and the vast majority of cases have been mild. 

To learn more, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FACT SHEET ON CHILDREN AND COVID-19

 
Four things we are doing for added protection:
 

1 - Adding sanitization in key places

This includes adding disinfecting wipes, additional pump bottles of hand sanitizer and adding stands in public places for your hands

2 - Equipping cleaning stations with additional towels and cleaning solution bottles.  

The solution in our cleaning bottles is highly effective at destroying germs

3 - Setting even more vigilant cleaning expectations for our cleaning staff

This includes adding disposable towels in bathrooms/lockers, more frequent cleaning of surfaces and more.

4 - Updating and redistributing hand-washing reminders throughout CRI.  

We’ve had signs up for about three weeks, so we’ll refresh them.


Four things you can do to help protect yourself and others:


1 - Please do not come to CRI if you are not feeling well

If you have a cough, or a fever, or shortness of breath, we ask that you recover away the boathouse. 

2 – Regularly wash your hands

Good hand washing practice involves wetting your hands, washing them for at least 20 seconds, rinsing and then drying. 

For a refresher – here are easy steps to ensure you are reducing germs on your hands.

3 –  Cough / Sneeze into your Elbow

When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue (not with your hands). 

4 - Practice HEALTHY HANDLE HYGIENE   

We suggest our athletes wipe handles and bars down prior to training and then afterward as well.  The additional wipe downs, along with the increase of attention from our cleaning staff, will help to drastically limit the chance for germ transmission.

The current threat for the virus in Massachusetts is low.  We will continue to follow suggestions from our local trusted organizations, the Massachusetts Department of Health and the CDC as this situation evolves.