Staying Safe

Life is risky, but we must live it anyway.

We recognize in these times life seems riskier than usual, particularly with the coronavirus pandemic and other signs of unrest hovering around us.  In thinking through the options as we’ve planned our 50th Wedding Anniversary, we have considered these factors carefully.  I won’t go into all the details - another time, another place perhaps.  We’ve decided we are having our event as scheduled, in full conformance with the guidelines published by the Governor and State of Minnesota.

Still, there are potential dangers involved in all aspects of life, including attending our event.  We can do all we can, and we will, to mitigate risks, but they cannot be eliminated.  We know many of you are already aware of the potential risks and are planning to attend our event in spite of them.  For those of you who decide that the risks are too great, please know that we fully understand and respect your decision to decline to participate in our Celebration.  No hard feelings!  In the end, this Anniversary Celebration is just a dinner and a dance.

For those of you who decide to attend all or any part of our event, we look forward to seeing you!  Please consider these commonsense precautions to make our event as safe as reasonably possible for yourselves and others:

1.    Review this screening survey checking for COVID-19 symptoms and respond accordingly.

a.  If you do not feel well or if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms compatible with COVID-19, stay home.

b.  If you feel unwell during the event, please leave immediately and isolate yourself at home until the cause of your symptoms can be clarified.

2.    We encourage you to wash and/or sanitize your hands regularly, especially but not limited to if you choose to dance.

3.    Maintain social distance as much as reasonably possible, understanding that the format of this event is a dinner and dance.  Fortunately, the venue for our event is quite large and will accommodate social distancing under almost all circumstances.

4.    On July 24, 2020, MN Governor Tim Walz issued an extensive set of requirements regarding the wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor public places. There are requirements specific to events like ours. To summarize, face masks are required except while eating or drinking, or when exercising (e.g. dancing) where the level of exertion makes wearing masks difficult. We encourage our guests to follow the Governor’s recommendations.

Please also be aware that our hosts and staff at the Lafayette Club are taking many additional precautions to make our event as safe as possible.

Let’s be careful and still have fun!

Postscript: Your efforts in supporting a safe environment for our celebration were successful. There were no subsequent health issues related to our event, for which we have all of you to thank.

May 31, 2021