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'''On 2020-03-18, we [http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1384631&f=6038&s=14937&m=286005&t=42bfeecf990f5ae04e8a9ea793c9a29e79393ee2e6b4b72ecef1a231ef1a0fa9 advised] all directors to cancel or postpone all sanctioned club and tournament activity, and to not resume until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.''' | '''On 2020-03-18, we [http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1384631&f=6038&s=14937&m=286005&t=42bfeecf990f5ae04e8a9ea793c9a29e79393ee2e6b4b72ecef1a231ef1a0fa9 advised] all directors to cancel or postpone all sanctioned club and tournament activity, and to not resume until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Click [[Membership#Impact_of_COVID-19_Moratorium_on_NASPA_Membership |here]] to see how the moratorium affects your NASPA membership. | ||
'''On 2020-06-25, we published guidance on when and how to resume competitive SCRABBLE activities according to a four-color SCRABBLE safety level scheme.''' | '''On 2020-06-25, we published guidance on when and how to resume competitive SCRABBLE activities according to a four-color SCRABBLE safety level scheme.''' | ||
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Players should check with club and tournament directors to make sure that | Players should check with club and tournament directors to make sure that | ||
events have not been cancelled at the last minute. | events have not been cancelled at the last minute. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''NASPA's Board is not comprised of doctors or medical care providers. DO NOT predicate your medical decisions or actions regarding your personal health on anything provided herein.''' | ||
== Risk Assessment == | == Risk Assessment == | ||
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: Governments restrict or recommend against gatherings of fewer than 100 people. No one may meet to play SCRABBLE in person. | : Governments restrict or recommend against gatherings of fewer than 100 people. No one may meet to play SCRABBLE in person. | ||
; <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> | ; <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> | ||
− | : Governments allow all business to reopen but require or recommend some social distancing measures. Participants may meet and play SCRABBLE | + | : Governments allow all business to reopen but require or recommend some social distancing measures. Participants may meet in person and play SCRABBLE online on individual devices, but may not share equipment or paper, or approach within six feet (2 m) of each other. |
; <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> | ; <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> | ||
: Governments lift all pandemic-related restrictions and recommendations, but there have been confirmed or probable cases within 14 days. Participants may meet and play SCRABBLE under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules as described below. | : Governments lift all pandemic-related restrictions and recommendations, but there have been confirmed or probable cases within 14 days. Participants may meet and play SCRABBLE under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules as described below. | ||
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=== <span style="background-color:yellow">''Yellow''</span> Play === | === <span style="background-color:yellow">''Yellow''</span> Play === | ||
− | Players may meet in person to converse or play | + | Players may meet in person to converse or play online on individual devices, subject to the following restrictions: |
* For all participants | * For all participants | ||
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** All participants must clean their hands hourly, by washing where possible, or else using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Participants should where possible clean their hands in the presence of other participants, to ensure careful attention. | ** All participants must clean their hands hourly, by washing where possible, or else using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Participants should where possible clean their hands in the presence of other participants, to ensure careful attention. | ||
* For directors | * For directors | ||
− | ** Firsts and seconds | + | ** Firsts and seconds should be assigned in each game to identify where the game will be played. |
** Scheduling and layout must be arranged so that no one needs to approach within six feet (2 m) of anyone else at any time, except their assigned opponent for the duration of a game. | ** Scheduling and layout must be arranged so that no one needs to approach within six feet (2 m) of anyone else at any time, except their assigned opponent for the duration of a game. | ||
*** In particular, there must not be any place where participants might gather to see pairings or standings, sign up for prizes, adjudicate words, or receive food and beverage service. | *** In particular, there must not be any place where participants might gather to see pairings or standings, sign up for prizes, adjudicate words, or receive food and beverage service. | ||
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* Equipment | * Equipment | ||
** At least five days before the tournament, players should pack tile sets and tile bags into a clear plastic storage bag, labelled with their name and the date it was packed, to ensure that they are virus-free by competition day. | ** At least five days before the tournament, players should pack tile sets and tile bags into a clear plastic storage bag, labelled with their name and the date it was packed, to ensure that they are virus-free by competition day. | ||
− | ** All participants must bring | + | ** All participants must bring a board, rack, timer, storage bag containing unused tile sets and tile bags, and a second bag in which to place used equipment. |
** The owner of the board, rack, and timer must be clearly identified. | ** The owner of the board, rack, and timer must be clearly identified. | ||
+ | ** At the start of the event, each participant must set up their board at a separate table (or space at a table) at least six feet (2 m) from any other table. | ||
+ | ** If neither player has a fixed table assignment at their own board, then the game must be played at the second player's table. If one player has a fixed table assignment, the game is played at that player's table. If both players have fixed table assignments, the game is played at the second player's table. | ||
** At the start of each game, either player may request that a previously unused set of tiles and tile bag belonging to one of the two players be put into service. Any used tiles and tile bags should then be placed into the owner’s storage bag, and not reused until disinfected. | ** At the start of each game, either player may request that a previously unused set of tiles and tile bag belonging to one of the two players be put into service. Any used tiles and tile bags should then be placed into the owner’s storage bag, and not reused until disinfected. | ||
− | ** | + | ** The director may require participants to bring their own word adjudication device. |
− | |||
=== <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">''Blue''</span> Play === | === <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">''Blue''</span> Play === | ||
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* All participants must affirm to the Director that they have been exclusively in areas where <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> rules are in effect for the past 14 days. | * All participants must affirm to the Director that they have been exclusively in areas where <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> rules are in effect for the past 14 days. | ||
* If any participants have been in <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules areas but none in <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span>, the event may proceed under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules. | * If any participants have been in <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules areas but none in <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span>, the event may proceed under <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> rules. | ||
− | * | + | * Players who have been in <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules areas within 14 days of the event must not participate. If after the event begins, the director discovers that a player has been in a <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules area, that player must withdraw from the event immediately. Any equipment used by that player must be removed from play or disinfected if not possible to remove. The director must announce the reason for the player's withdrawal and ensure that the player's opponents are informed. |
== SCRABBLE Safety Level FAQ == | == SCRABBLE Safety Level FAQ == | ||
; How can I tell what the SCRABBLE safety level is for a specific event? | ; How can I tell what the SCRABBLE safety level is for a specific event? | ||
− | : ''If you are not sure how to apply the rules, you may email us at info@scrabbleplayers.org and we will research the matter for you. That is, if you tell us what your municipal, state and federal recommendations are, we will tell you what SCRABBLE safety level they imply. | + | : ''If you are not sure how to apply the rules, you may email us at info@scrabbleplayers.org and we will research the matter for you. That is, if you tell us what your municipal, state and federal recommendations are, we will tell you what SCRABBLE safety level they imply.'' |
+ | ; My club has 10 members. Government authorities in my area restrict groups larger than 50 from meeting. Can my club meet? | ||
+ | : ''No. Your area is in the <span style="background-color:#ffc0c0">Red</span> SCRABBLE safety level because the government is restricting gatherings of fewer than 100 people - in this case, groups of 50.'' | ||
; What color rules are in effect near borders or at regional tournaments? | ; What color rules are in effect near borders or at regional tournaments? | ||
: ''There may be ambiguity about which color is in effect in a given situation, especially if play is to take place in a location close to a public health jurisdictional boundary, or if players are travelling to an event from multiple areas. In such cases, the most serious, restrictive rules apply. For example, if a tournament director in Yukon wants to take advantage of their territory's SCRABBLE <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> status, they may do so as long as no one travels to their tournament from or through any area where <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules would be in effect.'' | : ''There may be ambiguity about which color is in effect in a given situation, especially if play is to take place in a location close to a public health jurisdictional boundary, or if players are travelling to an event from multiple areas. In such cases, the most serious, restrictive rules apply. For example, if a tournament director in Yukon wants to take advantage of their territory's SCRABBLE <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span> status, they may do so as long as no one travels to their tournament from or through any area where <span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> or <span style="background-color:#FFC0C0">Red</span> rules would be in effect.'' | ||
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: ''<span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> rules remain in effect until all businesses are open without restrictions.'' | : ''<span style="background-color:yellow">Yellow</span> rules remain in effect until all businesses are open without restrictions.'' | ||
; Do you have a map showing SCRABBLE safety levels? | ; Do you have a map showing SCRABBLE safety levels? | ||
− | : ''It is not practical to create such a map, because the safety level summarizes a situation based on a given group of people in a given place at a given time. Changes to situations and guidance may be | + | : ''It is not practical to create such a map, because the safety level summarizes a situation based on a given group of people in a given place at a given time. Changes to situations and guidance may be issued by public health authorities at different times each day, and they are not always presented in a way that is easy for nonlocals to understand.'' |
; How fine-grained would a map be that showed SCRABBLE safety levels? | ; How fine-grained would a map be that showed SCRABBLE safety levels? | ||
: ''If such a map could be constructed, it would be as fine-grained as needed to incorporate variations in government recommendations. For example, if a city says that residents of one particularly at risk neighborhood should stay home while everyone else is free to do as they please, then that neighborhood would be <span style="background-color:#ffc0c0">Red</span> while everyone else would be <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> or <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span>. | : ''If such a map could be constructed, it would be as fine-grained as needed to incorporate variations in government recommendations. For example, if a city says that residents of one particularly at risk neighborhood should stay home while everyone else is free to do as they please, then that neighborhood would be <span style="background-color:#ffc0c0">Red</span> while everyone else would be <span style="background-color:#C0C0FF">Blue</span> or <span style="background-color:#C0FFC0">Green</span>. | ||
; Why do I have to stand six feet (2 m) away from my domestic partner? | ; Why do I have to stand six feet (2 m) away from my domestic partner? | ||
− | : ''Others | + | : ''Others who are not be aware of your relationship may feel that distancing requirements have been relaxed and approach you more closely, leading to avoidable directorial interventions.'' |
== Additional Recommendations == | == Additional Recommendations == | ||
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** If you cannot wash your hands, then you can try disinfecting them with 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer, used according to directions. This is not as effective as washing your hands, but may be more convenient during play. | ** If you cannot wash your hands, then you can try disinfecting them with 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer, used according to directions. This is not as effective as washing your hands, but may be more convenient during play. | ||
* Do not touch your face. If you do, wash your hands again. | * Do not touch your face. If you do, wash your hands again. | ||
− | * | + | * Do wear face coverings that cover your nose and mouth at all times. In particular, you should do so when within six feet (2 m) of another participant. |
* Do not approach within six feet (2 m) of another participant except as needed in order to play a game. | * Do not approach within six feet (2 m) of another participant except as needed in order to play a game. | ||
* Do not shake hands. If you do, wash your hands again. | * Do not shake hands. If you do, wash your hands again. | ||
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* High-contact surfaces, including boards, clocks, racks, adjudication devices, and doorknobs, should be disinfected hourly. | * High-contact surfaces, including boards, clocks, racks, adjudication devices, and doorknobs, should be disinfected hourly. | ||
− | * | + | * Keyboards and touch screens should be disinfected before and after each use by someone other than their owner. |
− | * When you get home, wash your playing tiles and tile bags, disinfect racks and board with bleach wipes, disinfect clocks and adjudication devices according to manufacturer’s instructions | + | * You should bring your own disinfected equipment to events. |
− | + | * When you get home, wash your playing tiles and tile bags, disinfect racks and board with bleach wipes, and disinfect clocks and adjudication devices according to manufacturer’s instructions. | |
** Use a [https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf CDC-approved product] to disinfect equipment, but exercise caution when using any chemical on electronic equipment or glass, especially bleach-based disinfectants and oleophobic resin-coated glass. | ** Use a [https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf CDC-approved product] to disinfect equipment, but exercise caution when using any chemical on electronic equipment or glass, especially bleach-based disinfectants and oleophobic resin-coated glass. | ||
− | ** See [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 Apple's recommendations] for how to safely disinfect their recent equipment. As of 2020-03-13, Apple says that 70% alcohol wipes or Clorox disinfectant wipes are fine on nonporous surfaces, but do check their website for recent updates. Remember that manufacturers speak with authority about what will not damage their equipment; the CDC tells you what will kill germs | + | ** See [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 Apple's recommendations] for how to safely disinfect their recent equipment. As of 2020-03-13, Apple says that 70% alcohol wipes or Clorox disinfectant wipes are fine on nonporous surfaces, but do check their website for recent updates. Remember that manufacturers speak with authority about what will not damage their equipment; the CDC tells you what will kill germs. |
− | |||
=== Tournament organization === | === Tournament organization === | ||
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* Firsts and seconds should be assigned by the director, not by drawing tiles. | * Firsts and seconds should be assigned by the director, not by drawing tiles. | ||
* The use of paper for communicating information should be minimized. | * The use of paper for communicating information should be minimized. | ||
− | * There should be a lot of space and ventilation wherever players gather (exits, food service, restrooms, scoreboards) | + | * There should be a lot of space and ventilation wherever players gather (exits, food service, restrooms, scoreboards). |
* Each game should be played on a board belonging to one of the players involved. | * Each game should be played on a board belonging to one of the players involved. | ||
* Division sizes should be kept as small as possible. | * Division sizes should be kept as small as possible. | ||
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while showing players the screen at appropriate points in the process. | while showing players the screen at appropriate points in the process. | ||
− | Adjudicators are encouraged to use licensed software | + | Adjudicators are encouraged to use [[Software | licensed software]] |
(or the [{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/wj.pl NASPA Word Judge] online) on their own | (or the [{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/wj.pl NASPA Word Judge] online) on their own | ||
mobile devices for word adjudication. | mobile devices for word adjudication. | ||
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Plan for the possibility that your event may have to be cancelled, | Plan for the possibility that your event may have to be cancelled, | ||
either because public health authorities require it, or because your | either because public health authorities require it, or because your | ||
− | own risk assessment so indicates. | + | own risk assessment so indicates. |
− | Consider also that players and staff | + | Consider also that players and staff (especially those who are travelling) may have to cancel their plans. |
− | (especially those who are travelling) may have to cancel their plans. | ||
When negotiating space with a new venue, discuss COVID-19 specifically as an example of force majeure. | When negotiating space with a new venue, discuss COVID-19 specifically as an example of force majeure. | ||
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Notify [mailto:mad4u@sympatico.ca-tourney@yahoogroups.com the Tournament Committee] if you cancel a tournament. You can reschedule the tournament to another date if it does not conflict with a tournament already on the calendar. The standard 6 weeks advance notice will not be required for the rescheduled tournament. | Notify [mailto:mad4u@sympatico.ca-tourney@yahoogroups.com the Tournament Committee] if you cancel a tournament. You can reschedule the tournament to another date if it does not conflict with a tournament already on the calendar. The standard 6 weeks advance notice will not be required for the rescheduled tournament. | ||
− | === | + | === Contingency Planning === |
− | During an outbreak, | + | During an outbreak, consider that any of the following may be unavailable on short notice: key personnel (including yourself), equipment, playing space, and players. |
− | + | ||
− | + | Your planning should provide for alternatives if a key resource becomes unavailable - for example, extra equipment or an alternate venue. | |
− | key personnel (including yourself), equipment, playing space, and players. | ||
=== Screening === | === Screening === | ||
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* Have you recently had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain? | * Have you recently had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain? | ||
* Have you recently had conjunctivitis, or an unusually runny or stuffy nose? | * Have you recently had conjunctivitis, or an unusually runny or stuffy nose? | ||
− | + | * Have you been in an area where any public health authorities recommend against gatherings of 100 or fewer people in the last 14 days? | |
− | * Have you been in an area where any public health authorities recommend against gatherings of 100 or | ||
* (<span style="background-color:#c0ffc0">Green</span> and <span style="background-color:#c0c0ff">Blue</span> rules only) Have you been in an area where any public health authorities recommend any restrictions on public behaviour in the last 14 days? | * (<span style="background-color:#c0ffc0">Green</span> and <span style="background-color:#c0c0ff">Blue</span> rules only) Have you been in an area where any public health authorities recommend any restrictions on public behaviour in the last 14 days? | ||
* (<span style="background-color:#c0c0ff">Blue</span> rules only) Have you been in an area where there have been any confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? | * (<span style="background-color:#c0c0ff">Blue</span> rules only) Have you been in an area where there have been any confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? | ||
− | + | <br> | |
You may wish to post a copy of the list of questions, and/or ask participants to review the list before arrival. | You may wish to post a copy of the list of questions, and/or ask participants to review the list before arrival. | ||
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* Post multiple copies of standings and pairings in different parts of the room | * Post multiple copies of standings and pairings in different parts of the room | ||
* If you offer food and beverages, make sure that they are packaged to prevent airborne contamination, and place them in different parts of the room to keep participants apart. | * If you offer food and beverages, make sure that they are packaged to prevent airborne contamination, and place them in different parts of the room to keep participants apart. | ||
− | + | <br> | |
Consider room ventilation and its effect on airborne microorganisms: | Consider room ventilation and its effect on airborne microorganisms: | ||
− | * | + | * Large rooms with good ventilation are safer. |
− | * | + | * Outdoors is safer than indoors. |
− | * | + | * Players can inhale germs from players upwind of them. |
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; 2020-06-11 | ; 2020-06-11 | ||
: Substantial revisions in preparation for reopening. | : Substantial revisions in preparation for reopening. | ||
+ | ; 2020-06-25 | ||
+ | : Announced revised guidelines in weekly newsletter. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
− | + | ===Information Sources Consulted During Page Creation=== | |
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* The White House | * The White House | ||
− | ** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4gDJA22BNs President Trump instructs Americans to avoid meeting in groups of 10+, and discretionary travel] | + | ** March 16, 2020 -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4gDJA22BNs President Trump instructs Americans to avoid meeting in groups of 10+, and discretionary travel] |
* World Health Organization (WHO) | * World Health Organization (WHO) | ||
** [https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public] | ** [https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public] | ||
* Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | * Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | ||
** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html COVID-19 page] | ** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html COVID-19 page] | ||
− | ** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html | + | ** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html Community mitigation plans] |
** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf Opening America Up Again] | ** [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf Opening America Up Again] | ||
* Ohio Department of Health | * Ohio Department of Health | ||
− | ** [https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Baseball-Softball.pdf | + | ** [https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Baseball-Softball.pdf A typical state document explaining how contact sports must change for COVID-19] |
* The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | * The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | ||
** [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/frequently-asked-questions.html COVID-19 FAQ] | ** [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/frequently-asked-questions.html COVID-19 FAQ] | ||
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** [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 How to clean your Apple products] | ** [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 How to clean your Apple products] | ||
** [http://health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_patient_screening_guidance.pdf COVID-19 screening guidance] | ** [http://health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_patient_screening_guidance.pdf COVID-19 screening guidance] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Response of Other Tabletop Game Associations=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [https://absp.org.uk The Association of British SCRABBLE Players] | ||
+ | ** March 10 2020 - [https://absp.org.uk/absp/covid-19.shtml COVID-19 Statement] | ||
+ | * [https://www.acbl.org/ American Contract Bridge League] | ||
+ | ** [https://www.acbl.org/check-before/ ACBL reminder to check with clubs about closures] | ||
+ | ** June 18 2020 - [https://bridgefeed.acbl.org/acbl-all-member-emails Cancellation of Fall Nationals and Sectional/Regional tournaments for remainder of 2020] | ||
+ | * [https://new.uschess.org/news/spring-nationals-coronavirus-know/ United States Chess Federation] | ||
+ | ** [https://new.uschess.org/news/spring-nationals-coronavirus-know/ Guidance on spring tournaments] | ||
+ | ** [https://new.uschess.org/news/us-chess-rules-suspensions-due-covid-19/ USCF guidance to tournament directors] | ||
+ | * [https://www.thaicrossword.com/news_detail.php?id=50389 Thai Crossword Association] | ||
+ | ** [https://www.thaicrossword.com/news_detail.php?id=50389 Cancellation of major March and April events] | ||
+ | * [https://magic.wizards.com/en Magic: The Gathering] | ||
+ | **[https://company.wizards.com/article/news/wizards-coasts-response-covid-19 COVID-19 response] | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Stefan Fatsis article=== | ||
+ | [[Stefan Fatsis]] reviews the arguments for cancelling tournaments and clubs in [https://slate.com/culture/2020/03/playing-scrabble-coronavirus-pandemic.html?fbclid=IwAR09AKSKilIm7el46-a4QCB8bceiiLawGGRd-5Pzr2B7d9iFkFLmvX1oDv4 Slate]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <!-- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Hid until have time to research - since we say there's no info | ||
+ | As of 2020-03-10, there were no announcements online from: | ||
+ | * American Cribbage Congress | ||
+ | * American Go Association (which does mention [https://www.usgo.org/news/2020/01/ing-cup-postponed-in-wake-of-coronavirus-outbreak/ overseas cancellations]) | ||
+ | * Magic: The Gathering | ||
+ | * United States Backgammon Federation | ||
+ | * World Series of Poker | ||
+ | --> |
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus first discovered in 2019. As of early 2020, it has had a serious impact on the global travel and convention industry, and resulted in the cancellation of competitive SCRABBLE tournaments worldwide.
On 2020-03-18, we advised all directors to cancel or postpone all sanctioned club and tournament activity, and to not resume until the appropriate public health authorities have recommended doing so.
Click here to see how the moratorium affects your NASPA membership.
On 2020-06-25, we published guidance on when and how to resume competitive SCRABBLE activities according to a four-color SCRABBLE safety level scheme.
Players should check with club and tournament directors to make sure that events have not been cancelled at the last minute.
NASPA's Board is not comprised of doctors or medical care providers. DO NOT predicate your medical decisions or actions regarding your personal health on anything provided herein.
COVID-19 can cause several avoidable or mitigable hazards.
Hazard | Chance | Impact | Risk | Mitigated Risk | Countermeasures |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bringing COVID-19 to venue | High | High | High | Medium | Screening, color-coded safety phases |
Finding COVID-19 at venue | Low | High | Medium | Low | Screening, separation from other users |
Spread during play | High | High | High | High | Spacing, ventilation, single-use equipment, disinfection, pairing |
Spread between rounds | High | High | High | Medium | Spacing, hand-washing, eliminate reasons to gather |
Spread to/from staff | High | High | High | Medium | Spacing, barriers, hand-washing, electronic communication |
Player becomes sick at event | Low | High | Medium | Medium | Screening, recording contacts, awareness of local medical protocol |
Staff becomes sick at event | Low | High | Medium | Medium | Screening, recording contacts, awareness of local medical protocol, redundancy |
We will discuss appropriate countermeasures in more detail below in the context of color-coded SCRABBLE safety levels.
From 2020 on, we will always be living in an era with a heightened awareness of the risks of pandemic disease. No matter what the current SCRABBLE safety level, be mindful of your health and safety and those around you.
A NASPA Director has a duty to provide a safe environment for their players, to instruct them on how best to ensure their safety, and to verify their compliance.
A NASPA Director can refuse entry to players if the director deems that their participation will result in an unsafe environment for other players. A NASPA member has a duty to share any information (such as their positive infectious status) that may affect the safety of other members around them.
If there are reasonable grounds to believe that a player may have a severe contagious disease, even if they are not symptomatic, the player should be refused participation to avoid exposing other participants to unnecessary risk of contagion.
There are different systems in place across the continent for describing what the current pandemic safety level is, and for recommending correspondingly appropriate measures. Here is one for our competitive SCRABBLE community, using the popular red - yellow - green - blue scheme from most dangerous to most safe.
The SCRABBLE safety level applies to specific groups of people gathered for a specific NASPA-sanctioned event (club meeting or tournament). It is keyed to the government safety levels of each of the participants and venue, but is more restrictive. NASPA’s reopening will therefore take a regionally phased approach as in many states and provinces.
Our color-coded guidance is designed to mitigate risk, but cannot eliminate it. Please think carefully about your personal risk profile when making choices about competing in SCRABBLE events.
Failure to comply with color-coded measures will be deemed physical abuse under the Code of Conduct.
Clubs and tournaments should not meet in person when the SCRABBLE safety level is Red .
Clubs may play online using SCRABBLE GO and meeting tools such as Zoom or Discord. If they do so formally, the Code of Conduct is in effect.
NASPA will not rate online tournaments or recognize records achieved at online events.
Noteworthy accomplishments at online events may be reported to info@scrabbleplayers.org for publication in the weekly newsletter.
Players may meet in person to converse or play online on individual devices, subject to the following restrictions:
Players may meet for traditional face-to-face competitive SCRABBLE using regular playing equipment, subject to the following conditions:
Competitive events may proceed normally, subject only to the following restrictions:
This section lists several categories of optional recommendations that may result in a safer experience for all participants.
Participants are discouraged from using a common word adjudication device, to mitigate the risk of indirect contact transmission. This may be done either by having players use their own devices, or by having the director adjudicate challenges from a safe distance, while showing players the screen at appropriate points in the process.
Adjudicators are encouraged to use licensed software (or the NASPA Word Judge online) on their own mobile devices for word adjudication. Rule IV.J.1 (Software Lookup Procedure) lists which actions should be taken by the challenger and the player being challenged. If a personal mobile device is being used for adjudication, the owner of the device should take all actions necessary to operate their device for both players according to their specific verbal instructions.
Specifically, if one of the players involved in the challenge has an appropriate device (and not withstanding any other prohibition on electronic devices), then steps (e) through (k) should be replaced with the following. If both of the players want to use their own device, then the device belonging to the player being challenged should be used.
e. Both players walk to the computer station without speaking or disturbing others.
f. If either player at any time before the adjudication feels a word was recorded wrongly, both should return to their board to they should verify the spelling.
g. The challenger owner types the word(s) being challenged. All word(s) must be typed before adjudication.
h. Both players verify the word(s) have been entered correctly and that the correct lexicon is selected, and the player being challenged owner presses the adjudication key (usually the TAB key).
i. The adjudication result is marked on the challenge slip.
j. Computer adjudication is final unless either player feels the computer or program is flawed (and requests a manual adjudication) or feels a word may not have been entered correctly (and chooses to repeat the procedure.)
k. Both players return to their board without speaking or disturbing others.
Follow official news sources closely to anticipate measures that will be taken to address outbreaks, and communicate them to your players. Be open with your players about your planning process, including how you will decide if the event needs to be cancelled, and how you will treat sick players.
Plan for the possibility that your event may have to be cancelled, either because public health authorities require it, or because your own risk assessment so indicates. Consider also that players and staff (especially those who are travelling) may have to cancel their plans.
When negotiating space with a new venue, discuss COVID-19 specifically as an example of force majeure. A standard force majeure clause permits either party to cancel a contract at no penalty. Even if you find yourself having to cancel an event without a force majeure clause in your contract, ask your venue if any deposit that you have paid can be refunded to you given the unusual circumstances, or at least be credited toward a future event post-outbreak.
Similarly, although it is NASPA’s position to remain independent of financial transactions between players and directors, we believe that it is in everyone’s long-term best interest for directors to be as lenient as they can about entry fee cancellation policies where COVID-19 is concerned.
Notify the Tournament Committee if you cancel a tournament. You can reschedule the tournament to another date if it does not conflict with a tournament already on the calendar. The standard 6 weeks advance notice will not be required for the rescheduled tournament.
During an outbreak, consider that any of the following may be unavailable on short notice: key personnel (including yourself), equipment, playing space, and players.
Your planning should provide for alternatives if a key resource becomes unavailable - for example, extra equipment or an alternate venue.
Before permitting a player or staff member to enter the playing space, verify that they (to the best of their knowledge, on pain of discipline as a Code of Conduct case of physical abuse) answer no to all of the following screening questions:
You may wish to post a copy of the list of questions, and/or ask participants to review the list before arrival.
When choosing a venue for your event, evaluate the risk associated with the location.
When laying out the floor plan for your event, minimize opportunities for players to
congregate in close proximity. If possible, ask players to keep a two-metre distance from
each other when not playing.
Consider room ventilation and its effect on airborne microorganisms:
Post notices reminding participants to wash their hands after each round, and offer
hand hygiene stations where possible.
If you have a large number of players who are diligently washing their hands after each round, you may find your tournament schedule delayed by lack of capacity of hand-washing stations. Plan accordingly by padding your schedule, and be lenient in the application of Rule III.C. (Arriving Late) when toilets and sinks are overcrowded.
Keep players at the same tables as much as possible, to minimize sharing equipment. At least one player at each game should stay at the same board in the next round.
If you have access to them, consider adding to your tournament supplies:
Be aware of the nearest emergency medical services.
if there are medical doctors participating, check with them about their
availability to intervene if needed.
Stefan Fatsis reviews the arguments for cancelling tournaments and clubs in Slate.
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