New Mask Protocol 

Our COVID-19 task force (Jonathan Hager, M.D., Eryl Kubicka, Sensei John Pulleyn, and Dené Redding) met this week to review the latest information about the highly-transmissible Delta variant. They came to the conclusion that residents, trainees, and volunteers at Arnold Park and Chapin Mill should wear masks indoors at all times when working in proximity to one another. Even though everyone is vaccinated, the task force believes that this extra measure is needed to guard against the possibility of breakthrough transmission. 

As for sittings, we’ll continue with the “wear-masks-when-in-motion” and related guidelines that were shared by email on August 4. If you missed that email, you can read it here. And, it goes without saying that we’re grateful for the sustained time and energy that the task force has put into maintaining our pandemic protocols and keeping our Sangha safe.

Annual Picnic Cancelled

Alas, the COVID-19 task force has also decided that it would be wise to cancel the annual picnic that was planned for August 15. As much as we would love to spend some time together hanging out at Chapin Mill, the current trajectory of COVID cases is cause for concern – especially in the context of an event that involves a lot of socializing and eating, not to mention (unvaccinated) kids’ activities. However, if pandemic conditions ease up in the fall, we may be able to reschedule the picnic then.

Roshi’s Coronacast

It’s been about eight weeks since Roshi last created a Coronacast. In light of the latest news, he decided it was time to dust off his mic. Check out this week’s Coronacast here.

Teisho by John-sensei, Sunday, August 8

This Sunday’s teisho will be by John-sensei. As usual, if you’re fully vaccinated, you may join us in the Arnold Park zendo. Or you can participate via Zoom.