New CDC guidelines adopted at KAW.

As many of you have heard by now, both the CDC and MDHHS have updated their mask policies regarding Covid-19.   This is awesome news as we reach for achieving the endemic level of this multiple years long crisis.  So what is the skinny on the changes and what does that mean for your sessions at KAW? 
The CDC is feeling confident enough with our current ability to mitigate severe illness from Covid, via vaccines and proven medical interventions, to change risk level metrics to hospitalizations and deaths and not just total cases.  They are calling this "Community Level".  The new system can be checked right on the CDC website to determine by county the community risk level.  The new system is far simpler with only 3 categories of community level and clear instructions on mask use for those three categories. The MDHHS has eliminated mandated mask requirements and is leaving the decision up to all of us to protect ourselves and each other when needed.  The CDC generally remarks that masks are needed when someone has symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 and/or when a county is at a High risk level.  They also highly encourage people continue to use masks in areas of dense population like grocery stores and public transportation.
At KAW we felt it was important to find a policy that reflects the CDC's as they are the experts on these things, and we trust the experts.  So our policy will be flexible and fluid and will be tied to the current community risk level in Kalamazoo County.  Here's how it looks:

• High risk: Masks required for staff in office when 6 feet of separation is not possible and masks highly encouraged for clients. 
• Medium Risk: Masks encouraged for staff and clients but not required.  Therapists and clients may be required to use masks upon request.
• Low risk: Masks are 100% optional for staff and clients.  
• At all times:
  • Clients must reschedule if within 5 days of exposure, symptomatic or testing positive. 
  • Clients must wear a mask during the session if within 10 days of either, if a client is not comfortable with wearing a mask they can reschedule.  Cancellation policies are in full effect.
  • Staff must not come into work for 5 days or till asymptomatic and/or negative covid test when ill or exposed.  Staff must continue to wear a mask in the office for 5 days after returning from illness/exposure. 
  • Reception will continue to do appointment confirmations while checking for whether clients feel well and informing clients as needed on current mask use policy.  Reminder emails will also be updated with this info. 
  • All current cleaning/disinfecting procedures are permanent and will not change.

We really want to thank everyone who has remained patient with the ever changing process that Covid-19 has created.  We want to also thank the countless hours scientists and medical professionals have dedicated to fighting this battle.  While we aren't 100% out of the woods yet, and we may still have to work through a few more waves before we see a true end to this pandemic, we are indeed much closer to the end thanks to everyone who did their part.
Stay Healthy!
-Nick Garman

The new risk level system can be checked right on the CDC website or use the form on our home page check your counties community level!