Groupmuse and COVID-19

EDIT: This story is out of date — when published on March 9th, it wasn’t clear how grave the pandemic was. We’ve since cancelled every in-home groupmuse until further notice, but in the meantime, we have an absolutely booming community of online groupmuses. Hope to see you there! www.groupmuse.com/calendar

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Dear Groupmuse Family,

It’s probably not news to any of you that the world is dealing with a major case of the Corona Virus. While we’re cognizant of the media’s tendency to whip up fear and anxiety, we are also taking COVID-19 seriously — after all, our community is built of intimate intergenerational gatherings. We want people getting in close, but, at least for the next few weeks, not too close.

Here are our recommendations for responsibly engaging with the community in the era of COVID-19.

1. Educate yourself as to your municipality’s response. Groupmuses happen everywhere and each city is in a different place with this. Google: “[Your City] COVID-19 response and recommendations.” If they recommend avoiding gatherings, consider it. If they don’t think there’s anything to be worried about, consider that too.
2. If you feel sick — fever, cough, etc., **stay home from the groupmuse**.
3. If you are at high-risk for a dangerous encounter with COVID-19 (older than 60, a history of respiratory illness, otherwise infirm), seriously consider staying home from groupmuses for the next few weeks.
4. Please consider washing your hands under hot water and with soap for 20 seconds upon arriving at a groupmuse.
5. If you are hosting, please make hand sanitizer available for everyone.
6. If you are hosting, please consider setting your capacity such that people won’t be squeezed in too tight. We want folks to be able to attend without having to make physical contact with anyone else.

Additionally, if you are hosting or performing and wish to cancel an event, consider rescheduling it 3–6 weeks down the road instead (first contact your host/performers to find a new date, then email us at support@groupmuse.com).

Thanks for tuning in, and we wish you all safety, health, warmth, connection, and music.

Here’s to a speedy recovery!

best,

Team Groupmuse