While community spread of COVID-19 is nearly impossible to prevent at this time, this policy is an attempt to limit transmission of the virus as much as reasonably possible. Recommendations may change as CDC guidelines evolve.

Organization Approach:

I. COVID Vaccinations

All participants of the Wired Wizards will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID to attend in-person meetings/events. Opportunities to attend virtually will be available when possible for those individuals unable or choosing not to be vaccinated.

Given the ages of students participating in the Mechanical Mages (grades 6-8), COVID vaccination will be strongly encouraged for those students 12 years of age and older.

II. Pre-Season Safety Orientation

All students will attend a safety orientation meeting that reviews the safety procedures described below.

III. Home Screening Questions

Students/mentors will be advised to complete a “Home Screening Questionnaire” (Appendix I) prior to attending any in-person team meeting/event. If answering “yes” to any of the screening questions, the student/mentor will be asked not to attend the in-person team meeting/event. Students/mentors agree to report any COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 exposure to the head coach.

IV. In-Person Meetings/Events

Participants will wear face masks, utilize hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing, and follow physical distancing recommendations (i.e. 6 feet) whenever possible.

Participants for Team Wired Wizards will follow CFCC protocols when attending in-person meetings/events on campus.

During FIRST Sanctioned/Hosted Competitions, teams will follow all safety protocols of FIRST organization (which will likely be very similar to the ones we have implemented).

Specific Topics:

Personal Hygiene:

Students will be asked not to eat or drink at the build spaces. Hand sanitizer will be available at each team meeting/event. A limited amount of team masks will also be available as back-up.

Face Coverings:

Mask Type: Surgical masks and cloth face masks with at least 2 layers are appropriate. The following masks are not appropriate: neck gaiters, bandanas, masks with holes or vents, or cloth wrapped around the face.

Mask Etiquette: Masks need to cover both the nose and mouth completely. Large gaps at the side of the mask should be avoided.

Mask Exemption: All students/coaches and mentors must wear a mask for the entire team meeting/event. There will be no exceptions.

Disinfecting Common Surfaces:

High-touch surfaces (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches) will be disinfected at the conclusion of each in-person meeting. The disinfectant will contain alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

Eating/Drinking at in-person meetings:

There will be no eating or drinking inside while at in-person meetings. There will be planned periodic breaks for eating and drinking outside of the build and meeting spaces.

Home Screening Questionnaire

NOTE: If you have answered “Yes” to any of the questions below, please do not attend the in-person team meeting/event. Also, please report to the head coach any direct contact or suspicion of COVID-19.

Current CDC Recommendations:

Visit CDC.gov for up-do-date COVID information

Close COVID Contact Definition:
If within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with someone who has COVID-19.

When to Quarantine:
If not fully vaccinated, the current CDC recommendation is to quarantine for 14 days from the last close contact with an individual with COVID.

People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Symptoms of COVID:
Fever, chills, cough, loss of congestion, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.