Hello MLC Instructors,
I have some information that may be of interest to you regarding vaccination eligibility.
Given the information I have regarding Phase 1B – Groups 1-5:
· From the Oregon Health Authority;
· Ski Clubs (both public and private) – all coaches have been made eligible for vaccinations (i.e. Multnomah Athletic Club and Meadows Race Team coaches) and;
· Meadows Learning Center coaches/instructors work directly with children from both public and private K-12 schools through our Mid-week Education Programs (Portland Adventist Academy, Portland Adventist Elementary School, etc.)
· The Meadows Learning Center is “physical education”, an “outdoor school” and a “community partner” in education of K-12 children
It is clear that the Meadows Learning Center team members may be eligible for vaccinations per the update from the Oregon Health Authority published on 1/25/2021, “List of educators now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination” – This information has been used to classify “ski coaches” to be eligible in the Phase 1B – Groups 1-5. See this link: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3566.pdf
Front Line Workers – THIS MEANS YOU!
I have also read that front line workers will be eligible on April 19 for a vaccination, which all Mt Hood Meadows instructors would qualify under these criteria:
A frontline worker is someone who has a job that puts the individual at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 because of:
· » Regular close contact with others outside of their household (less than six feet); and
· » Routine (more than 15 minutes per person(s)) close contact with others outside of their household; and
· » They cannot perform their job duties from home or another setting that limits the close or routine contact with others outside of their household.
However should you wish to pursue a vaccine ahead of the front line worker schedule it is my opinion that you are eligible under the Phase 1B – Groups 1-5 outlined here: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527A.pdf and you should advocate for yourself.
Steps to schedule your vaccination either as:
Phase 1B – Groups 1-5 mentioned above
OR Group 6 – Houselessness (some instructors I know), Wildland Firefighters, Adults 45-64 with underlying conditions are examples
OR Group 7 – Frontline workers
1. Go here: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov
2. Answer the questions accurately – the questions seem to be updated quite regularly as vaccine rollouts come on-line
3. Question “7” is the gray area one, “Do you work at a public or private K-12 school?”
4. If you choose “Yes”, then you have a drop down of choices
5. Choose “Coach or official” and “Extracurricular and program staff”
a. Example: At Mt. Hood Meadows we teach kids for multiple weeks in a row for our mid-week education program
6. Later in the questions (presently question 16), “Are you a front line worker as defined by the CDC?”
a. Yes, you are
7. Answer the remaining questions
8. Then create an account on the Get Vaccinated Oregon website
9. Enter your details
10. Depending on your notification preferences, you’ll need to validate your account
I have also heard that local grocery stores and W***mart have vaccination stations, so these may be good venues to schedule a vaccination and show your proof of eligibility, rather than waiting to be notified by Get Vaccinated Oregon website. I have also heard that there are certain counties in our state that have an oversupply of vaccines because the residents in these counties are less inclined to get vaccinated for various reasons.
There is the ethical question you should ask yourself
“Am I cutting in line and taking a vaccine from someone else who is in more need than me?” In some cases, depending on where you are seeking to obtain your vaccination may impact your answer to this question. Each of you need to make the determination yourself. And, “Would getting vaccinated, given your role at Mt Hood Meadows as a youth educator, provide an added level of safety for yourself and the students you teach (K-12)?”
I hope you find this information helpful in navigating your decision to get vaccinated and when.
Yours in snowsports,
Tyler
