Article Archive > Member Update: COVID-19 Resources
Member Update: COVID-19 Resources
March 4, 2020
Dear Membership:
Yoga Alliance has heard concerns from an increasing number of members about the growing spread of the coronavirus throughout the globe. In the spirit of supporting our members, we would like to share resources and information regarding what is known about the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, called COVID-19. We will continue to update these resources as information becomes available.
Working in the space of health and wellbeing, our community holds a responsibility to make ourselves aware of the most up-to-date information on public health concerns, to act responsibly based on that information rather than on fear, and to communicate to our staff, teachers, and/or practitioners about steps we are taking to protect our communities. To that end, Yoga Alliance has compiled several credible information resources to support your efforts to stay informed about the coronavirus and to help protect your community, including some tools that you can tailor and use in your own schools, studios, and classes.
The information contained in this email and on our COVID-19 resource page has been compiled primarily from two credible sources which we recommend and encourage our members and the broader yoga community to consult on a regular basis for knowledge and guidance, given how quickly the information on this situation is evolving:
While coronaviruses are not new, COVID-19 is, and our global health agencies are still learning about it. We are sharing what is known at this time. Our recommendation is for members and the broader yoga community to reference the sources above for the most-timely information available.
What are symptoms of the COVID-19?
Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties; in more extreme cases, symptoms also include pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and kidney failure.
How is COVID-19 transmitted?
As of February 28, the CDC is reporting that those infected with COVID-19 spread it through their respiratory secretions, especially when they cough or sneeze. Person-to-person transmission is mostly likely amongst those in close proximity (i.e., within a six-foot radius). It is unknown at this time if a person can contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, and/or eyes.
What are recommended preventative measures?
The WHO and CDC both are encouraging businesses and the general public to follow preventative measures as similar for other respiratory diseases such as the common cold and flu, including:
- Washing hands frequently and with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer);
- Following proper cough-and-sneeze etiquette;
- Avoiding contact with others (if sick) and/or with those who are sick;
- Avoiding touching of the mouth, nose, and eyes without first washing or disinfecting; and
- Disinfecting objects frequently touched such as telephones, keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
The COVID-19 resources on yogaalliance.org compile tips from a variety of sources, mostly the WHO and CDC as stated earlier; we have then translated them for you into ways in which the profession of yoga is conducted.
For example, a best practice is to “routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs”; we have translated that to include props and floors in a yoga studio setting. A best practice is also to offer remote meetings for businesses; we have translated that to include working with students virtually via YouTube, videoconference, or other means.
If you have any questions or would like to share what your school and teachers are doing, or what you as a teacher are doing, please contact us at info@yogaalliance.org.
Yours In Yoga,
Shannon
Sources
We would also like to thank one of our member Registered Yoga Schools, YogaWorks, for sharing tips on what it is doing to keep its series of studios safe.