School Update: Group Classes and other news
Hello, I hope everyone is well. I apologize for the lack of updates to the website this week, I have been teaching more and behind the computer less. I will have new content published next week. This will include more training guides, student curriculum, and footage from past seminars.
I would like to welcome Deambrece Hobbs, Todd Kromray and Jess Sunier as new students. Some of you may see them in class in the coming weeks.
Beginning next Monday, June 22nd, I would like to begin to hold small group classes. Please read the details below, and feel free to message me privately if you have concerns.
The Covid Situation in Wisconsin
I have been monitoring the progress of the Coronavirus in the State of Wisconsin as well as in the City of Milwaukee, and I am of the opinion that the prevalence of the virus within our community is manageable to the point where we can begin holding small group classes again.
With regards to the progression of the covid virus on the community, I have been looking at the data put out by several sources, including the CDC website, the Johns Hopkins Covid website, the Milwaukee County Covid Dashboard, State projections from Healthdata.org, and data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association Covid Update.
At the moment, and for the last week, Wisconsin has been in 25th place out of all states in terms of new cases of Covid. This means we are exactly in the middle. You can see a comparison of new cases state by state here. Compared to other states, which are showing either a prolonged increase of cases or a new spike in new cases due to the reopening activity and protests, Wisconsin is still showing a downward trend. Of note is that since June 4th (two weeks ago), we have now been under 4% positive test rate, and for the last week, under 3%.
There is are a number of scientists suggesting that our fall and winter may come with a resurgence of the virus that may require a tightening of restrictions. As of now, Australia is in entering their winter season, and so far has not seen a corresponding uptick in new cases, which is promising. The climate there, however, is no where near as severe as it will be here. It is my thought that for the moment we have reached a point where it is safe to begin opening up other forms of training, and holding small group classes. Beginning Monday, June 22nd, I would like to take advantage of this time to get people back to a more regular training schedule, under the following conditions:
- All students in group classes agree to follow the guidelines listed below.
- Students will be grouped by risk/exposure category.
- Classes will take place twice per week, 60-90 minutes in duration and limited to 6 per class.
- Bagwork, Thai Pad and Focus Mitt training will commence next week.
- For that type of training, students will train with one person for the entire class.
- We will continue to monitor the data on a weekly basis and make adjustments to our schedule and training format as new information comes in.
Students will be broken down into the following groups:
Group A: Monday & Wednesday at 6pm
- Ty G.
- Ryan V.
- Matt K.
- Lucas & Desean J.
Group B: Tuesday & Thursday at 6pm
- Bart K.
- Brandon S.
- Nick R.
- Chris F.
- Ryan S.
Continuing with Private Lessons only:
- Cardwell Family
- Troy J.
- Nick S.
- Deambrece H. (* eventually to join Group B if schedule permits)
- Todd K. (* eventually to join Group A)
Student Guidelines for Group Classes:
- Students will monitor themselves and report any symptoms prior to arriving for class.
- If a student gets sick, they will take a week off of class to see how that develops, get tested, and talk with Mr. Sell before returning to classes.
- Upon arrival and immediately after class, students will use hand sanitizer or wash their hands.
- Students will continue to use the front door of the school, street shoes will be left on the tile by the benches under the front windows.
- Outside of Class Students will limit their exposure when out in public (use of masks, short duration visits to public spaces, stores, banks, ATM’s, etc., frequent hand washing, and avoid public gatherings).
- Sanitation procedures at the school will continue as we have throughout the pandemic.
- If anyone in their unique situation is uncomfortable with returning to group classes, I will make weekly private lessons available at the 7:30pm class time during the week, and on Saturdays.
Going Forward
We are not out of the woods yet, however there are reasons to be hopeful about the search for treatments and a vaccine for the virus. Recent studies have demonstrated that the current treatments being used are having a positive effect on the surviveability of covid patients. This includes several drugs that are being used, the recent use of steroids in treatment, proning patients to help their breathing as they recover, and a better overall understanding of how the virus works. There are several vaccine candidates that are being fast-tracked into human trials. You can see a list of these and the progress they are making with them here.
In the mean time, if you would like to reduce your risk, be sure to follow the guidelines and take precautions when you are out in public. Other suggestions that are gaining more credibility include:
- Supplementing with Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc
- Eating foods that are high in Zinc and N-Acetyl Cysteine
- Getting 8 hours of sleep per night
- Getting 20 minutes of sunlight to skin exposure daily
- Reducing elements can cause oxidative stress (such as consuming high fructose corn syrup, processed foods, fatty foods, alcohol consumption and smoking)
- Losing weight and staying active.