Hi folks, after quite a number of discussions over the weekend, it is with a heavy heart that I need to announce we will be suspending FlexiFit, Kendo, Jujutsu and Systema classes in Toowoomba for a least the next four weeks. We will be evaluating the risk for Gin Gin classes tomorrow, and will make an announcement very soon.
COVID-19 poses a serious risk to vulnerable members of the community, and we need to take those risks seriously. While most all of the regular Club members would fit into low risk categories, we all have people that we care deeply for that would be at serious risk due to an infection.
The main thing that we are trying to achieve with the suspension of classes and other social distancing measures is to “flatten the curve” of the infection rate, so that medical facilities, particularly ICU and cardiorespiratory support are not overwhelmed with the case load. As one Toowoomba-based ICU doctor’s observations points out, COVID-19, heart attack, motor vehicle accident etc. are all very survivable if he has a bed for you. Our task is to help ensure that.
Effective from the weekend, we have stopped what are the highest risk classes for transmission. This is in part inherent to the nature of those classes such as Systema and Jujutsu which involve very close quarter contact with each other, or aerosolisation of bodily fluids, such as when we kiai in Kendo. In addition, due to the lack of regular cleaning at the MEAC, we cannot ensure that surface-contact based transfer can be minimised unless we spent the vast bulk of our training sessions cleaning the floor, our mats, and other surfaces.
At this stage, we will still be running Iaido, and on the back of Rick Beal sensei’s visit this weekend, we might start running some semi-regular Kyudo classes for those interested. Both these activities are low-transfer risk due to the necessary space required for safe practice, and minimal floor contact. However, we will be continuing to monitor and evaluate this situation as the days progress.
I am sure that everyone will share my disappointment that we will have to take a break from our regular schedules. Already, we are seeing cancellations of events such as the Australian Kendo Championships and the Australian Iaido and Jodo Seminar and Championships.
Stay posted. I will be putting up suggestions via the Budo Blog on how you might be able to continue your training at home through the isolation period.
Keep well everyone, and I hope to see you all back soon once we have a clearer picture going forward.