Monitoring Coronavirus, Putting Facility Hygiene & Community Safety First
Last updated: May 6, 2020, at 3:52 p.m. PT
Originally published: February 28, 2020, at 7:28 p.m. PT
Added 5/6/2020 - Please reference our Frequently Asked Questions for up to date information regarding our temporary closure. Please also take a moment to read about how we are responding to community needs during this time.
GREATER SEATTLE, WA – Over the last week, you may have heard of the Coronavirus that is raising health concerns across the globe. According to King County Public Health Department, the general public in Washington and in the US is at low risk of contracting the 2019-nCoV.
As with any newly emerging infectious disease, knowledge evolves with time and recommendations are changing rapidly. We are closely monitoring information from public health officials and will follow their prevention guidelines to help keep our facilities clean and community safe.
Should this issue escalate in our community, the Y will take necessary precautions to ensure that our staff and community are safe. We’ve educated our staff and are practicing additional hygiene and cleaning practices to ensure that our facilities and program locations remain safe.
These general practices are also in place for YMCA staff and participants in our program areas:
- Frequent hand washing is encouraged and practiced
- Cough and sneeze etiquette is encouraged
- Common areas are frequently cleaned including frequent cleaning of door handles, fitness equipment, lockers, tables/countertops, phones and other common “high-touch” items in each Y facility.
- Sanitation stations and hand sanitizers are available in all our facilities
- YMCA staff, members and participants are asked to stay home when ill (and to remain home for 24 hours after symptoms have disappeared if the illness is flu-like or gastrointestinal)
Learn more about the steps we are taking to keep our community safe
If you would like more information on the Coronavirus, please refer to https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus.
Please be sure to check in on neighbors to ensure they are ok. In times like this social isolation is more common. A simple phone call or visit can go a long way.
Thank you for working with us to ensure our YMCA community is safe and welcoming.
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About the YMCA of Greater Seattle
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is the Northwest’s leading nonprofit organization strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1876, the Y reaches more than 265,000 people of all backgrounds, abilities, and financial circumstances annually through 14 branches, two overnight camps, and more than 200 program sites throughout King and south Snohomish counties. We nurture more than 137,000 kids and teens to develop their gifts and give back to our community and engages thousands of volunteers who contribute hundreds of thousands of hours of service each year.