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June 1, 2020: Risk Tolerance Assessment

In an effort to provide the safest service we can once we are able to re-open, we have modified THIS chart to create our own version of a Risk Tolerance Assessment. Our hope is to create an important dialogue with our clients now, in the hopes that we can all make the best possible decisions later. We ask that you take a few moments and read through this post, and determine WHERE you fall in on the chart.

Both Jay and April are currently in the 4 range, and, once we return back to work, will be in the 5 range. We think it important to share this with our clients, for two reasons. First, in order to Fully Respect our own health and well-being, as well as ALL of our clients, we are asking any client that falls in the 6-7 range to delay scheduling an appointment with us until Stage 4 has been approved. Second, if you fall in the 1-2 range, we also ask that you delay scheduling an appointment. We are simply unable to accommodate that strict protocol at this time, and we do not want to put any of our clients at additional risk unnecessarily.

We know that there will be many challenges to beginning the close contact work we do while COVID-19 is still so prevalent. We also believe that as long as we continue to have honest & clear conversations with everyone, that we will be able to safely welcome everyone back in, albeit a little more spaced out!

1: Lowest Risk – Very Strict

The individuals at level 1 have been in very strict isolation alone or with others in a container. May also include the following:

Stays exclusively within the container/household.
Remains 6 feet apart with others within the household/container.
Observes strict etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing 100% of the time within the container.
Groceries are delivered and wiped down.
No one outside the container is allowed in the household.
Infection control protocols followed. Bleach or sanitizing all surfaces touched by more than one person. No shared bathroom spaces.

People in this category are more likely to be at a higher risk of death from contracting the disease or be in a container with someone who is. They may value social responsibility towards others, and/or want to flatten the curve. Areas with a high density of people, such as a city, may be at this level for the foreseeable future, until adequate testing and contact tracing is readily available. Getting through this pandemic without illness to self or others for level 1 risk tolerance individuals is a strong priority.

2: Lower Risk – Strict with Effort

Those at level 2 have been in strict isolation alone or with others in a container, which may include the following:

Does not optionally leave the house/container except to get groceries and go to work.
No social distancing with members of one’s container.
Strict etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing are used 100% of the time when outside of the container.
Groceries delivered and/or wiped down before being allowed into the container.
No visitors are brought inside the container.
Person to person connection is done virtually or across a wide berth >6 ft + masks.
Exercise alone or with others, distance strictly maintained.

For some, while they may want to be at this level, they cannot due to their societal, economic, and/or personal situation. Essential workers may be strict when they are able to make those decisions but their work puts them at higher risk, so their risk tolerance is higher than their desire.

3: Fairly Acceptable Risk – Somewhat Strict

Individuals who have been in fairly strict isolation alone or with others in a container, which may include the following:

Leaves the house to go to work, where etiquette to reduce transmission is not strictly available.
Fairly strict etiquette including hand washing, masks, and social distancing are used 80–100% of the time when outside of the container.
Minimizes grocery and other shopping (once a week or less).
Exercise with others where distance may not always be strictly maintained for brief moments.
May socialize with others outside of the container, at 6 ft apart or less than 6 ft with masks.
No one in the container has prolonged (more than 10 minutes) exposure with those outside the container.

People in this category may need more social exchange with others but still want to reduce the risks of infection as much as possible. Other circumstances, such as needing to continue work or take care of someone outside of the primary container, may require this level of risk tolerance.

4: Acceptable Risk – Somewhat Open

Those who have chosen to be somewhat open with their container alone or with others, which may include the following:

Leaves the container to exercise, go to the store, work and other activities several times a week.
Etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing are used about 80% of the time when outside of the container.
Sometimes socializes with others who are not in one’s container
Maintains social distance
Around less than 10 people no more than twice a week.
Sometimes socializes with others at less than a 6 foot distance if they have been following fairly strict or somewhat open protocols as well.

People in this category may be found in places with lower Covid infections. Those who have lower risk of death and disease to themselves, and do not share space with others at high risk, may be in this category.

5: Moderate Acceptable Risk – Somewhat Open

These individuals have chosen to be somewhat open with their container alone or with others. Their work puts them in more vulnerable situations. May also include the following:

Leaves the container to exercise, go to the store, work and other activities several times a week. Longer exposure time to individuals outside of one’s container
Uncertain of exposure level of the individuals you are exposed to
Etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing are used about 60-80% of the time when outside of the container and 100% of the time when at the workplace
Sometimes socializes with others who are not in one’s container
Maintains social distance
Around more than 10 people a week due to work circumstances
Sometimes socializes with others at less than a 6 foot distance if they have been following fairly strict or somewhat open protocols as well.

People in this category may be found in places with lower Covid infections. Non-essential workers follow strict protocols while in the workplace but the long exposure nature of their work puts them at higher risk, so their risk tolerance level is higher than their desire. These people have lower risk of death and disease to themselves. They provide a much needed service but are categorized as non essential and though they follow strict sanitation guidelines, still share space with others that may be at a higher risk.

6: Moderately Open

Those at level 6 have chosen to be moderately open with their container alone or with others, which may include the following:

Leaves the container to exercise, go to the store, work, and other activities multiple times a week.
Travels outside of their community/county for essential reasons (i.e. doctor, work)
Etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing are used around 40–60% of the time when outside of the container.
Regularly socializes others who are not in one’s container
May not maintain social distance
Around more than 10 people a week
Limited regard to how often one socializes.

People here may believe they have no risk factors, or do not believe they know anyone who is at risk if they get the infection, or may be wanting to get infected. They may have already been infected, tested positive for antibodies, and feel sure that they are no longer a vector for infecting others. Please note, that at the time of this writing, we do not know whether having antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 imparts immunity.

7: Highest Risk – Very Open

Leave the container to exercise, go to the store, work and other activities multiple times a week with no precautions that have been shown to reduce viral transmission.
Travels outside of their community/county for non-essential reasons (i.e. vacation, shopping, etc)
Etiquette including hand washing, masks and social distancing are used about 0–40% of the time when outside of the container.
Regularly socializes with others who are not in one’s container
Does not maintain social distance
More than 10 people
No regard to how often one socializes.

These people desire infection, have tested positive for antibodies, or do not want to be told what to do. Anyone with this risk tolerance has the social responsibility to take strong precautions from possibly infecting others who may be vulnerable, including essential workers.