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Masks

  • 1.  Masks

    Posted 07-10-2020 09:42 AM
    A topic that continues to arise for us is whether or not we should
    require general public visitors to wear them, and if we should require
    program participants (field trips, birthday parties, etc.) to wear
    them. Our current policy is that staff wear face coverings, but they
    are recommended (not required) for any and all visitors. I would be
    interested in hearing what other places are doing, and hearing what
    issues/feedback you're getting.


    Thanks,
    Martin    

    --
    Martin S. Fisher
    Executive Director
    Science Central
    1950 North Clinton Street
    Fort Wayne, IN  46805
    Phone: 260-424-2400 ext. 441
    Fax: 260-422-2899
    Cellular: 260-452-4047
    Email: mfisher@sciencecentral.org
    www.sciencecentral.org
    41°5'52" N  85°7'8" W  756 ft.

    Spark Your Imagination!


  • 2.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-10-2020 10:39 AM
    Hi Martin,

    While we have yet to reopen, our plans will require face masks for all guests over the age of 2 as per CDC recommendations, unless there is a medical reason that a mask cannot be worn. We do anticipate some push back on this but we are coming up with strategies to handle situations in which people do not want to wear masks.

    Best,

    Nell Krahnke

    ------------------------------
    Nell Krahnke
    Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
    Indianapolis IN
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 08:57 AM
    Hi Martin,

    We reopened to the public on July 7 and are requiring masks of all visitors over the age of 2. We have not received any pushback against this. Instead, people have thanked us for ensuring safe policies on our site. If someone comes without a mask, we have disposable ones for them, but we are not selling these and instead are encouraging people to wear their own.

    We have a lot of language on our website explaining the policy. We also require timed tickets at this time, and registration includes more information about our policies to limit the spread of COVID-19.

    We have some grounds around our museum and we do not require a mask to be worn outside, although we ask that people practice social distancing. 

    Best,
    Sheridan

    ------------------------------
    Sheridan Small
    Education Manager
    Dumbarton House NSCDA
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 09:11 AM
    Hi Martin,

    Our museum open June 16th and masks/face covering are required for all visitors 2 years and above as recommended by the CDC.  We had one visitor that gave us push back.  We explained to the visitor that is was not just for his safety but for the safety of our volunteers who are 65 years and older.  With this statement he came back in with a face covering. Most visitors have no problem with the mask requirement.

    Best,

    Sherrie Colbert
    Museum Director
    Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
    Johnston, IA

    ------------------------------
    Sherrie Colbert
    Director
    Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
    Johnston IA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 09:29 AM
    We are requiring masks for our Phase One re-opening. Our state (MD) and our county (Prince George's) mandate masks indoors.

    ------------------------------
    Omar Eaton-Martínez
    Assistant Division Chief, Historic Resources
    Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
    Upper Marlboro MD
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 09:47 AM
    Edited by Michael Martin 07-13-2020 09:52 AM

    Martin, 

    We reopened to Members on June 29th, and have opened to general public this morning. We require masks for anyone 2 years old and up and are checking temperature at the door (using a thermal imager - not the hand-held). So far, we've only had one person proclaim their annoyance by the mask while on-site, but they did end up putting their mask on and had a wonderful time with their grandchildren. Everyone else had given us positive feedback regarding our safety precautions and have thanked us for doing everything we can to keep our staff, volunteers, and guests safe. 



    ------------------------------
    Michael Martin
    Director of Experience and Events
    Air Zoo
    Portage MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 10:11 AM
    Hello,

    Many people will not return to museums with a mask requirement, whether state-mandated or not. It is not essential that one visit a museum if there is any threat out there, and there is. If museums have established outreach programs during the pandemic, you may not wish to discontinue these programs.

    The Frick is the high bar for outreach programs during this difficult time with Cocktails with a Curator and Travels with a Curator, both live and then on u-tube. The Frick does not request contributions for these excellent programs, but the Institution will receive most of my charity budget for 2020 for bringing culture to me at home. Further, I see no reason why outreach on u-tube could not be linked to contributions, however. I personally would contribute via linked PayPal or another method of contributing.

    My point is that many will not return at present or in the near future, mask requirement or not. The response To the virus here has been insufficient, and I see no inclination here to prepare for the future as S. Korea did after The MERS Outbreak in 2015.

    Meg Gallucci, prior museum curator

    ------------------------------
    Meg Gallucci
    BALTIMORE MD
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 11:55 AM

    Speaking from NYC where we saw the wearing of masks to be really effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19, I'd say require them if there is an outbreak concern in your area.

    Lynda

     

     

    Lynda Kennedy, MS Ed, PhD

    Vice President, Education & Evaluation

    (she/her)

     

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

    646-381-5160

    Honor our Heroes, Educate the Public, Inspire our Youth

     

    Now more than ever, the Intrepid Museum needs your support. Make a gift today.

     

    Follow Intrepid and join the conversation! Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

     

     

     

     

     




    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 04:24 PM
    There are two webinars - one with lawyers and the other with an epidemiologist - from the New England Museum Association that support requiring guests (and anyone else entering the building) to wear masks. This is one of the ways that you will be protecting your staff from a work-related case of COVID-19. 

    May 13, 2020
    Town Hall Discussion: Reopening Museums - Beyond "When?" to "How?"
    10- 11 am

    While many of the decisions around museum reopenings will depend on state and local government regulations, there are many questions that remain. How do we protect our staff and volunteers? How do we keep our visitors safe and comfortable? What changes to internal procedures, from admissions desk adaptations to sick leave policies and beyond, should we be preparing for? Join public health and legal experts from the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to hear recommendations from the medical field and brainstorm flexible plans and possible solutions with your museum colleagues. By bringing this conversation to a broader public forum, we can help inform AND support each other as we work through these difficult decisions. View recording here.


    June 29, 2020
    Using COVID-19 Research to Make Data-Informed Exhibit Decisions
    10-11 am
    As museum and exhibit professionals plan our operations during the pre-vaccine new normal, we can struggle to find answers to our field-specific questions on generally focused websites. Join Dr. Erin Bromage, UMass Dartmouth Associate Professor in Biology for help understanding emerging COVID-19 data and risk-assessment in order to make more informed decisions for your museum. Dr. Bromage's recent articles, originally written for his "family, friends, and students," have gained a much wider readership as he sorts through a steady stream of COVID-19 to produce data-informed guidance in easy-to-understand language. View the recording here.

    best,
    Betsy

    --
    Betsy Loring
    she/her/hers
    expLoring exhibits & engagement, LLC
    6 Farnum Street
    Worcester, MA 01602

    Phone: +1 (978) 618 - 9673





    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-13-2020 04:46 PM
    Why would you NOT require all visitors (staff and volunteers) to wear masks?  

    It has been established that face coverings protect everyone from those tiny respiratory drops that can carry the Coronavirus (here's one of the zillion entries from Google about it: CDC Considerations for Wearing Cloth Masks).   Why would you ignore that?

    Not requiring visitors to wear masks is putting your front-line staff at tremendous risk.   Why would you do that?

    According to Colleen Dillenschneider (Know Your Own Bone), having everyone wear a mask is among the top 3 factors people take into consideration when deciding to visit a museum.   Why would you ignore that?

    WHY?

    ------------------------------
    Janice Klein


    Tempe AZ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-14-2020 09:02 AM
    We've been open 2 weeks and are adhering to CDC guidelines, masks for all ages 2 and up. It's working remarkably well and we've had no pushback. I encourage you to do the same -- it's a major pillar in stopping the spread of COVID-19. You'll protect your staff and your guests and feel good that you did! As others have noted, people trust museums, and we need to deliver.

    Darcie MacMahon
    Director of Exhibits & Programs
    Florida Museum of Natural History

    ------------------------------
    Katherine Gerard
    Administrative Services Specialist II
    Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
    Gainesville FL
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-15-2020 09:16 AM
    I'm curious if any organizations requiring face masks on re-opening are permitting guests to enter without a mask if they claim a medical condition that prevents them from wearing one.  If so, do you have criteria for the exemption? 
    Thank you,
    Robin

    ------------------------------
    Robin Faitoute
    Manager of Exhibit Development
    National Aquarium
    Baltimore MD
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-15-2020 09:31 AM
    Unless the visitor can prove they have a medical condition, everyone has to wear a mask.  I have not had any issues after reopening for the past 30 days.



    Sherrie Colbert
    Museum Director
    Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
    Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA 50131
    515-252-4531

    To honor and depict the military service of all Iowans



    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-17-2020 12:23 PM
    According to ADA regulations, you may ask IF a person has a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, but you may NOT ask what the condition is; also, there is no "proof" they can give you, nor are they required to do so. (Those cards you've seen on social media are fake.)

    This website has a lot of info explaining ADA regs regarding face masks, including the text I've copied below: The ADA and Face Mask Policies
    Hope this helps!

    Info directly from the website:

    If a person with a disability is not able to wear a face mask, state and local government agencies and private businesses must consider reasonable modifications to a face mask policy so that the person with the disability can participate in, or benefit from, the programs offered or goods and services that are provided. A reasonable modification means changing policies, practices, and procedures, if needed, to provide goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to an individual with a disability.[10] The requirement to modify a policy, practice, or procedure does not include individuals without disabilities, as they are not protected under the ADA.

    Examples of reasonable modifications to a face mask policy

    • Allow a person to wear a scarf, loose face covering, or full face shield instead of a face mask;
    • Allow customers to order online with curbside pick-up or no contact delivery in a timely manner;
    • Allow customers to order by phone with curb-side pick-up or no contact delivery in a timely manner;
    • Allow a person to wait in a car for an appointment and enter the building when called or texted; or
    • Offer appointments by telephone or video calls.


    ------------------------------
    Janeen Trevillyan
    Director
    Sedona Heritage Museum
    Sedona AZ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Masks

    Posted 07-15-2020 10:06 AM

    We are not allowing anyone under the age of 2 into our facility w/o a mask. This is our current message to employees on how to handle situations where our mask policy is challenged: 

    Executive order 2020-147 makes wearing a mask in public, indoor spaces mandatory.  We continue to believe that based on guidance from the CDC and public health authorities that COVID-19 constitutes as a  "Direct Threat" which is "a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation." If an individual with a disability poses a direct threat despite reasonable accommodation, they are not protected by the nondiscrimination provisions of the ADA.

    Thus, using that language, our conversation when the mask policy is challenged for medical/any reasons should be:

    "I do apologize, but due to the direct threat that COVID-19 poses, and by recommendation of the State of Michigan, we are requiring that masks be worn by everyone who enters our facilities. Our website contains virtual tours and education experiences, that we launched during our closure, which many of our guests have found very useful and provide a unique Air Zoo experience for those who are not yet ready to visit us in person. We do hope you will visit us in the future, when we can safely gather again without masks."



    ------------------------------
    Michael Martin
    Director of Experience and Events
    Air Zoo
    Portage MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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