Hello,
As all of you know, 2020 has been an unusual and trying year. Between the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests against systematic racism, our world has been rocked. Here at Swim With Shelley, I am committed, as always, to safety and fairness.
Although I am a one person business, I believe it is the responsibility of every business, no matter how big or small, to take a stand against racism and other injustices. That is why I have never and will never discriminate against any person, family, or business for their skin color, religion, culture, physical or cognitive abilities, or anything else.
As NY state begins to open amidst declining Covid cases, a return to swim lessons looks feasible. In the name of safety, I am asking all potential swim clients to be transparent about their risks, as I will be. As someone who lives with at-risk individuals, safety is paramount to me. I have been strictly isolating and keeping my risk level low in order to keep myself and those around me safe. I will continue to do so, even as more and more places around the island open. I ask that you be honest with me about the risk to exposure you and your household have been and will be exposed to. For example, essential workers that do not have both a positive antibody test and negative Covid test; children who will be going to day camp; and people who have not been or will discontinue to be socially isolating.
We may very well see a spike in cases in the coming weeks as people experience increased exposure to others, between the protests and NY's entering Phase I of reopening. That is why I am waiting to start in-person swim lessons until June 20, 2020. The guidelines that health officials posit as well as my stance on exposure and risk levels may change depending on what happens in these coming weeks. Please be patient with the situation, as I am trying to be; I would love to see and teach every person that is interested as soon as possible, but with the safety of everyone I encounter to think about, I cannot in good conscience do so.
For safety measures, I will wear a face mask and maintain distance from household members not actively engaged in swim lessons, as well as those students who are old enough and advanced enough to swim independently. For students who are interested and where it is feasible, I am also offering distance swim lessons via Zoom or other video interface. These can apply to advanced swimmers interested in stroke technique; baby and toddler lessons where the parent is interacting with the child and can receive instruction via video; children's lessons where an adult acts out my instructions; and other cases as available. Please don't hesitate to discuss this situation with me, as I am greatly interested in providing quality instruction however possible! These distanced lessons can begin immediately, and at a reduced rate to in-person lessons (please see "Services and Rates" page for more information). For in-person lessons with children that will be conducted at close range, again, I ask for you to please be honest about the risk level I will be encountering by doing so. This will help to ensure the safety of you, my other swim clients, and myself and my household.
This is an unusual year, to be sure. But I believe that with patience, precautions, and inventiveness, we can all have a successful swim season. Please reach out to discuss swim lessons of all types with me. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Most sincerely,
Shelley
As all of you know, 2020 has been an unusual and trying year. Between the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests against systematic racism, our world has been rocked. Here at Swim With Shelley, I am committed, as always, to safety and fairness.
Although I am a one person business, I believe it is the responsibility of every business, no matter how big or small, to take a stand against racism and other injustices. That is why I have never and will never discriminate against any person, family, or business for their skin color, religion, culture, physical or cognitive abilities, or anything else.
As NY state begins to open amidst declining Covid cases, a return to swim lessons looks feasible. In the name of safety, I am asking all potential swim clients to be transparent about their risks, as I will be. As someone who lives with at-risk individuals, safety is paramount to me. I have been strictly isolating and keeping my risk level low in order to keep myself and those around me safe. I will continue to do so, even as more and more places around the island open. I ask that you be honest with me about the risk to exposure you and your household have been and will be exposed to. For example, essential workers that do not have both a positive antibody test and negative Covid test; children who will be going to day camp; and people who have not been or will discontinue to be socially isolating.
We may very well see a spike in cases in the coming weeks as people experience increased exposure to others, between the protests and NY's entering Phase I of reopening. That is why I am waiting to start in-person swim lessons until June 20, 2020. The guidelines that health officials posit as well as my stance on exposure and risk levels may change depending on what happens in these coming weeks. Please be patient with the situation, as I am trying to be; I would love to see and teach every person that is interested as soon as possible, but with the safety of everyone I encounter to think about, I cannot in good conscience do so.
For safety measures, I will wear a face mask and maintain distance from household members not actively engaged in swim lessons, as well as those students who are old enough and advanced enough to swim independently. For students who are interested and where it is feasible, I am also offering distance swim lessons via Zoom or other video interface. These can apply to advanced swimmers interested in stroke technique; baby and toddler lessons where the parent is interacting with the child and can receive instruction via video; children's lessons where an adult acts out my instructions; and other cases as available. Please don't hesitate to discuss this situation with me, as I am greatly interested in providing quality instruction however possible! These distanced lessons can begin immediately, and at a reduced rate to in-person lessons (please see "Services and Rates" page for more information). For in-person lessons with children that will be conducted at close range, again, I ask for you to please be honest about the risk level I will be encountering by doing so. This will help to ensure the safety of you, my other swim clients, and myself and my household.
This is an unusual year, to be sure. But I believe that with patience, precautions, and inventiveness, we can all have a successful swim season. Please reach out to discuss swim lessons of all types with me. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Most sincerely,
Shelley