Independence Squares is an inclusive square dance community and is committed to the health and safety of all attendees at our events.
Feeling well despite having a recent infection
If you have recently been diagnosed with an infectious illness, but are feeling well and no longer have symptoms, and decide that you feel well enough to attend one of our events, we ask you to be cautious and wear a mask. When sick, stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Independence Squares asks that you NOT attend our events if you’re not feeling well, to protect your own health and well-being, as well those of your fellow dancers.
Physical Health
To help control the spread of infectious diseases that might affect our community, the Independence Squares Board of directors has updated our safety protocols as follows:
Vaccinations: We encourage all in our square dance community to consult with their health care providers and get the vaccines and boosters that are appropriate for their circumstances.
Hygiene: We encourage frequent hand washing and/or using hand sanitizer immediately after each tip.
HEPA Air Filters: We use HEPA air filters each week in our dance halls.
Masks: Independence Squares does not require dancers to wear face masks while dancing. Mask-wearing is optional for all classes and workshops. We recommend that people wear masks to help protect ourselves and each other and IS will continue to make masks available at our events. The club supports the decision of any attendee who wishes to wear, or not wear, a face mask.
Safe hand holds, physical safety while dancing
Safe hand holds while dancing are meant to prevent injury to hands, fingers, wrists, and shoulders. Safe hand hold means that we should not squeeze each other’s hands or pull or push dancers in the square. Check with the callers for correct handholds.
Independence Squares no longer requires dancers and callers to provide proof of COVID vaccinations and boosters vaccinations/boosters to attend our dances and classes. If you would like to research more information about COVID-19 trends, here is a site which might be helpful from the PA Dept. of Health: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx
Mental and Emotional Health and Safety
Mental and emotional health being as important as physical health We are in a time of rapid change, requiring adaptations and new ways of learning how to enhance our emotional well-being. Mental and emotional health contribute to physical health. Ways to help with emotional and mental health involve talking to a trusted confidant about what is on your mind, building strong community ties, having a focus on finding beauty and joy whenever possible, and dancing.
Some hotlines that might be useful:
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 (online chat available)
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741
The LGBT National Hotline: (888) 843-4564
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
Communication
Independence Squares keeps in touch with the IS community through Google Group email list, including notification if there is a COVID or other health-related concern arising from one of our events. You can join here or ask a board member for assistance to join.
Insurance
As a dues-paying member of Independence Squares, there are benefits provided to you. One of the benefits is that Independence Squares pays for insurance to cover some costs (above what is covered by one’s own insurance) of liability and accidental bodily injury sustained by an insured person while in club or organization sponsored and supervised dancing activities. Please check with an Independence Squares board member as soon as possible if a need for a claim arises.