[Moderator's Note: This is posted on behalf of WW&F President David Buczkowski.]
Fellow Volunteers:
It is clear from what we are hearing from medical professionals, government representatives and the Maine CDC that the COVID-19 pandemic is to be taken very seriously. In response to their guidelines and recommendations we have already cancelled Easter Eggspress and all public trains until at least May 2, 2020. The Spring Work Weekend, Annual Meeting and Mothers’ Day Tea are all in serious danger of being postponed or outright cancelled. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to the public at large not to contribute to transmitting this virus. On their own initiative the weekday crew has decided to not meet as a group. In fact, most are not planning to come at all.
Therefore, until further notice, gatherings of more than five (5) people at the Museum are hereby forbidden. If you find that you need to come to the Museum you must use all precautions that have been posted elsewhere such as the use of hand sanitizer, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, not touching your face and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. You should also stay at least six feet from other people. Only work on projects you can do by yourself. If you are operating heavy equipment please do not do so without a spotter.
The official Museum statement regarding our COVID-19 policy and precautions is given below. The Museum will still be there when this all winds down and we want to ensure that you are too. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Stay safe!
-Dave
We are all well aware of the COVID-19 (aka "Coronavirus") pandemic that is spreading. While Maine has not seen the same level of cases as some of its neighbors, the disease is continuing to spread - and may peak during some of the planned events at the WW&F. Moreover, many of our volunteers have already expressed their inability to participate, as they are at high risk of infecting themselves or others.
Therefore, the WW&F Board of Directors have elected to take the following course of action:
1. In accordance with current CDC guidelines of curtailing gatherings of 10 or more people, the April 11, 2020 Easter Eggspress is cancelled. There will be no public train service, or non-volunteer visitors allowed on the WW&F campus, until May 2nd (at the earliest.)
2. On April 11, 2020, during the scheduled BOD meeting, decisions will be made regarding:
a. Spring Work Weekend.
b. Annual Meeting.
c. Mother's Day Tea.
d. Start of scheduled Saturday train service.
e. Start of scheduled Sunday train service.
Note that it is very likely that these events will all be postponed or cancelled.
Obviously, the situation is changing rapidly, and it is impossible to predict what precautions will be asked of us in the coming weeks. That said, we will adhere to whatever the CDC recommends at that time. We are also working closely with Wiscasset Woods Lodge, who are attempting to balance their plans for our Spring Work Weekend along side the realities of this situation.
In addition, our own Dr. Bob Holmes and Emergency Paramedic Jay Barta have made several recommendations regarding day-to-day activities (volunteers) as they interact at Sheepscot. These recommendations were adopted at the 3/14/2020 BOD meeting (and subsequently revised), and are summarized below.
Campus Wide:- Purell/hand sanitizer stations are to be available everywhere on campus.
- Disinfectant soaps are to be available in the Percival House and Bathrooms.
- Vulnerable Facilities (Percival House, Bathrooms) are to be cleaned and disinfected weekly.
Volunteers:- Gatherings of 5 or more are not permitted. (Spotters remain required when running heavy machinery.)
- Volunteers at Sheepscot may only work on individual, self-guided projects.
- Stay at least six feet from other volunteers; use hand sanitizer liberally; avoid touching your face; and cover your mouth when coughing.
- Stay home if you are sick, regardless of whether a personal diagnosis of COVID-19 has been confirmed.
- Please stay home if you’ve been in (or nearby) any area with confirmed (or presumptive) cases of the Coronavirus.
- Upon arrival, each volunteer must wash his/her hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Before eating, each volunteer must wash his/her hands for at least 20 seconds.
- When signing out, each volunteer member must wash his/her hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Report back to the WW&F BOD immediately if you get suspiciously sick.
The railroad will still be at Sheepscot long after this global crisis passes. The real world isn’t supposed to invade Sheepscot but it does now and again. In the meanwhile, be safe, and we will be all stronger together - through the tireless efforts of our members, volunteers, friends, and supporters.
