Returning to the dance studio safely (covid-19)

IndyLady said:
So.... I had a text exchange with the studio yesterday evening about some other matters (lesson count tracking), and almost as an afterthought, the last text was "we can talk after your lesson, we are opening the studio May 18".

I don't want to get too critical too fast, but I'd feel a lot better if (a) I was seeing this information publicly on their FB page, and (b) additional information was provided re: social distancing, masks, cleaning protocols, etc. I'm concerned (perhaps incorrectly... in all fairness, that was really just a heads up, and long texts are hard) about how much caution will be taken during this re-opening, or if it will just be a cavalier "pretend like this all never happened" approach.
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Can you call the studio or your pro and ask?
 
IndyLady said:
that was really just a heads up, and long texts are hard
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That was my first thought when I read your post - that they just wanted to mention it to you so you'd know there's light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I would expect a much more detailed announcement soon.

But as for an announcement on FB, I am still waiting for my studio to do one! They did a "coming soon - soft reopening" post last week, but didn't post the specific rules/restrictions/dates or anything else online. I saw those only in the lengthy text I got from the main studio number.
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
That was my first thought when I read your post - that they just wanted to mention it to you so you'd know there's light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I would expect a much more detailed announcement soon.

But as for an announcement on FB, I am still waiting for my studio to do one! They did a "coming soon - soft reopening" post last week, but didn't post the specific rules/restrictions/dates or anything else online. I saw those only in the lengthy text I got from the main studio number.
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I'd be fine with a long text too. Something in writing would be reassuring. I fear that I'll be told one thing after my lesson, or a lot of "I don't know, we'll see", and then show up in person to the Wild West. Wild Midwest, as it were.
 
Purr said:
There are lots of good ideas in this thread. ...When this is over, I can see me being mostly fine with lessons with NP. ...But ...everything looks so unsanitary now.
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I’m pleased so far at the safety restrictions my studio has implemented (and which they are enforcing) during its “soft reopening.” But despite all of them, I gotta admit, at my first in-person lesson back in the studio, it felt strange - almost illicit - to touch Pro’s hands. When he first held them up, I actually hesitated, before gingerly reaching up to place the tips of my fingers against his palms.

Two months ago, we all found it totally normal to move into closed hold, touching hands, arms, shoulders, hips, legs, everything. Having our exposed faces close together was something we didn’t give a second thought to (other than maybe remembering those onions on our sandwich earlier). Talking to each other while in that closed hold, even laughing, was a natural part of the teaching process.

But now...like you said, everything seems so potentially unsanitary. I am SO aware of my instincts to touch my face (and am getting pretty good at not doing so), and glad to be wearing a mask and glad that Pro is wearing a mask, and relieved when I see him washing his hands, and relieved when I wash my own...it’s fascinating, from a sociological standpoint, to watch how rapidly our norms change.

I wonder how many of these changes will be permanent. Hopefully the handwashing and avoiding going out if you feel at all sick. But I’d like to get back into an unmasked closed hold someday.
 
Mengu said:
There is at least one studio in Ohio that just announced they are going to reopen for private lessons on May 15th. Their email announcement says instructors will be wearing masks and gloves, students are "recommended to" wear masks and gloves, which they will have available at the studio. That was all the information in their email. To the best of my knowledge, there is no specific guidance to support their reopening. They are neither a personal care service, nor outdoor dining restaurant, which are the types of businesses allowed to reopen in Ohio on May 15th, with specifically directed guidelines. Ballrooms are lumped in with gyms, yoga studios, etc, and are to remain closed at least until the end of the current order's duration (May 29th).

The good news is, there is an advisory group for gyms, including a representative from FADS. So whatever guidelines they're working on, is on the horizon.
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There might be more than one studio trying to skirt a technicality.
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
I’m pleased so far at the safety restrictions my studio has implemented (and which they are enforcing) during its “soft reopening.” But despite all of them, I gotta admit, at my first in-person lesson back in the studio, it felt strange - almost illicit - to touch Pro’s hands. When he first held them up, I actually hesitated, before gingerly reaching up to place the tips of my fingers against his palms.

Two months ago, we all found it totally normal to move into closed hold, touching hands, arms, shoulders, hips, legs, everything. Having our exposed faces close together was something we didn’t give a second thought to (other than maybe remembering those onions on our sandwich earlier). Talking to each other while in that closed hold, even laughing, was a natural part of the teaching process.

But now...like you said, everything seems so potentially unsanitary. I am SO aware of my instincts to touch my face (and am getting pretty good at not doing so), and glad to be wearing a mask and glad that Pro is wearing a mask, and relieved when I see him washing his hands, and relieved when I wash my own...it’s fascinating, from a sociological standpoint, to watch how rapidly our norms change.

I wonder how many of these changes will be permanent. Hopefully the handwashing and avoiding going out if you feel at all sick. But I’d like to get back into an unmasked closed hold someday.
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I am so happy for you. I cannot imagine going back to the studio yet, though. I'm very curious to see how this opening of our economy is reflected in our state's covid-19 statistics. My life pretty much used to be the dance studio, but I'm doing ok with Zoom, and since I have absolutely no plans to compete anytime soon, the need to dance with my pro is non-existent right now. The layoff actually is giving me time to work on other interests, which isn't so bad.
 
And on our Zoom lesson today, Pro tells me the studio will probably be opening up in a week or two.....I didn't have the heart to tell him yet that I need to give it a little more time.....
 
Dance studios in Ohio may reopen May 26, along with gyms and fitness centers. Surprisingly, I do not find myself in a hurry to text NP about scheduling. Ohio has hit a plateau for the past few weeks, with a good part of the cases in nursing homes and related. The governor expressed frustration that Ohio wasn't where he wanted it to be in yesterday's news conference.

I read in today's newspaper that a local dance studio had been reported to the Ohio Department of Health for being open when it wasn't supposed to be.
 
singndance,
Have you considered telling him you'll be happy to continue online lessons until you feel comfortable?

I suspect all the teachers think that students will all want to switch to in person. But some might prefer online for a while. Having some do online and others in person may end up being the solution to dealing with crowding.
 
OK well, I'm giving it a shot and will be kicking myself later if it turns out I made a very bad decision.

Studio re-opening protocols include, in no particular order:
* Studio wiped down/cleaned every hour in between lessons
* Lessons more spread out (every hour, instead of every 45 minutes, which is actually how virtual lessons are operating right now anyway).
* Masks - studio will provide, or you can bring your own (subtext: everyone needs to wear one).
* Social distancing, i.e. touch vs. no touch between student/instructor - optional.
* No more than 10 ppl in studio at one time - I believe this corresponds to the max # in my state's re-opening plan for the current phase we are in.

I'm scheduled for a couple lessons (consecutive) in studio next week.
 
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