JAPAN KARATE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK

JKA NY Health and Safety

Revised 3-27-22

Dear JKA NY Members,

We are continuing to closely monitor and follow New York City Dept. of Health, NY State Dept. of Health, and Federal CDC guidance around health and safety.  Our host sites, MMAC and Maestro have welcomed groups back into their facilities and we are glad to report no recent in-class close contact exposures.  We recognize that in-person training requires each person to assess their personal acceptable level of risk.  We hope that this email serves to provide you all of the information you need to make a smart and informed decision for yourself.  For those wishing or needing to train virtually we will continue offering online classes by simultaneously streaming the in-person classes via Zoom Friday at 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday.  The remainder of this email describes our reopening plan in Q&A format.  For additional questions please email us as jkaofny@gmail.com

Sincerely,

JKA NY Instructors and Board of Directors

Training During COVID // Health & Safety FAQ

Weekly training schedule:

Do I have to be vaccinated in order to participate in in-person classes?

YES!  As of 8-15-21, all students 12 years old and older must be fully vaccinated and document your proof of full vaccination here:  JKA NY Proof of Vaccination Status Form

Per CDC guidance, children 5-11 are encouraged to be vaccinated as well.

Important Information

Vaccine Appointment Links To Get A Vaccine!!

Do I have to sign up for in-person classes?

YES! You will need to pre-register for classes by entering your name on the JKA Training Sign-up Sheet. This is also available from our homepage at jkany.org.  By putting your name anywhere on the digital sign-up sheet you are agreeing  to JKA NY’s COVID Waiver. (available to sign online on jkany.org)  

On Sundays, which tend to be our largest class with Takahashi-sensei, black belts should sign up for the first class from 10:00-11:00 am and colored belts from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.  On any given Saturday after 12:00 pm noon, before an in-person Sunday, black belts who could not fit into the first class may sign up for any remaining open spaces in the 2nd class. In other words, colored belts get priority to sign up for the second class 11:00-12:00 pm week-to-week, but should do so by Saturday each week.  Otherwise, black belts can sign up for any unfilled spots.

Is it safe to train in person? Are we expected to train in person?

That is a decision for each student (or family, for minors) to make based on the best available recommendations from city, state, and federal public health agencies.  We recognize this is a very complex decision and are not expecting you to train in person if you are not comfortable.  We acknowledge that there are compounding risks for many members in that you must also travel to the dojo, so it is not as simple as whether or not it is safe to train in person.  No member will be judged for continuing to train virtually if that is the safest and best decision for you at this time.  To be incredibly clear, we are not pressuring or recommending any student train in-person.  You must assess your own risk and decide if the safety measures (read below) established by MMAC / Maestro, in addition to other things like travel, are acceptable risks to you. By signing the JKA waiver you will be agreeing to train under these risks you assume freely.

What is MMAC / Maestro doing to create a safe and healthy environment?

You can read more about the healthy and safety guidelines we have agreed to with MMAC / Maestro in their COVID Safety Agreement.  A few other highlights beyond those sanitizing details:  (1) both locations have fully functioning intake and exhaust HVAC units (2) both locations have in-room air filters (3) Maestro, being a basement based location, has also installed a new ground to ceiling exhaust.

When should I arrive for classes?

In order to avoid congestion in the dressing rooms before and after classes we ask that people be mindful of the number of people in the changing rooms.  If possible we would appreciate students arriving anywhere up to 20-30 min before class so that no more than 2-3 people are in a changing room at a time.  Also, there may be other classes dismissing and we should be careful to remain socially distant.

What will class be like? How many students? Will we be spaced out?

Instructors will continue to teach basics and kata primarily, with no-contact kumite exercises.   Classes will be 25 students plus 1 instructor for a maximum 25 students in the room at one time.  Students will remain a minimum of six feet apart at all times. Finally, since we are training indoors instructors may expressly discourage kiai’s in order to limit the forceful expelling of air into an enclosed room.

Will I have to wear a mask?

As of 3-27-2022, MMAC and Maestro studios have made masks optional inside their facilities.  The JKA NY Board, out of an abundance of caution, is requiring masks on Sundays only going forward as these are the most highly attended classes.  On Sundays only, all students must wear a mask at all times that covers the nose and mouth for the entire duration of class.  Therefore, onTuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday classes only - masks are now optional.

While strenuous effort is one of the things many of us enjoy the most about training, instructors will be monitoring students closely as training with a mask can be challenging for students to breathe. Masks with valves are not allowed. If you need more information about masks, see this Mask Info Guide from a local NYC school shared by one of our members.

Will there be any screening or waivers before the in-person trainings?

YES!  

Our JKA NY COVID Waiver [hardcopy]

Or, JKA NY Online COVID Waiver [filled out monthly online]

Revised 1/31/22 to reflect evolving CDC Guidance:

*Per CDC guidance, children 5-11 are encouraged to be vaccinated as well

What if I or someone I have been in close contact with tests positive for COVID?

First, we hope that does not happen and wish for your good health should that happen. But, practically speaking, if you or someone you have been in contact with tests positive, we must make it very clear that you should stay home and quarantine per public health officials’ guidance.  Also, we are asking that you contact us so that we can take contact tracing precautions with other members.

Training virtually is still best for me - can I still train?

YES!  Instructors plan to stream their in-person classes from the dojo via the normal JKA NY Zoom Class Link (password = jkany).  We are using different technology on different evenings so we beg your patience as we refine our streaming setups.  In transparency, we can not guarantee that these streaming angles will be as well-framed or as high quality audio because instructors will be focusing primarily on those training in-person.  However, we believe that the vast majority of our members are now experienced enough that these simulcast trainings will remain at least as effective as our zoom classes over the last year.  Please continue to email us feedback, but we will be learning and adjusting as we go during these unprecedented conditions.  As of 1/30/22 Zoom will only be offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until further notice.

Have monthly membership dues changed?

Starting August 2021:  Dues have returned to $130 per month ($110 under 18).  It is important to remember that membership dues are not based on the number of classes you can personally attend in a given month.  Membership dues represent fees to belong to your dojo and you can train an unlimited number of times per month.

Sometimes MMAC has events or is closed - do we already know which dates there is no in-person class?  None at the current time, but they will be announced by email as we find out.

Where can I find more information about COVID Health and Safety?

Updates on News and Links About COVID-19

(free even if you do not subscribe to the Times)

Medical Hotlines and Assistance

EXTRA INFORMATION FOR HELP DURING COVID

I am experiencing financial, food security, and/or housing hardship - where can I get help?

Financial Support

Care Fund

Housing

  • NYC has suspended ALL evictions. Currently, all homeless shelters are operating, but ask that you be as careful as possible, given recent positive testing of some patients in COVID-19. If a city marshal tries to evict you, DO NOT COMPLY and call 212-825-5953, the Bureau of City Marshals. They have suspended all eviction proceedings.
  • Homebase Program: Homebase will help you develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis, achieve housing stability and offer homeless prevention services.
  • Tenants Rights Hotline: Call #212-979-0611
  • Cathotlic Charities: Provides eviction and emergency housing support
  • BronxWorks Eviction and Homeless Services- Bronx Residents
  • University Settlement Project Home: 212-505-1955
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition: Hosting webinars on the impact of Coronavirus on low-income households
  • NYC Housing Preservation and Development Section 8 voucher holders facing rent hardships due to drops in income should email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov or fax 212-863-5299
  • Help Now NYC – a portal of info on how to volunteer or request assistance

Local Food Banks