COVID 19 Policy Update

by | Feb 17, 2023 | COVID-19, News

J-Sei COVID-19 Policy

updated on February 13, 2023

For all J-Sei participants, visitors and volunteers:

    • We no longer require proof of  vaccination and booster.
    • We support being cautious and strongly recommend that you wear a mask.
    • Free N95 masks are available onsite.
    • We remind you to sanitize your hands when you enter the building and wash your hands often.
    • Please continue to social distance when possible.

Upon entering J-Sei Emeryville, we ask that you:

(1) Complete and sign J-Sei’s Waiver Form (one-time only) and sign in daily.  For those returning visitors, a J-card can be issued to you for automated check in at the kiosk.

(2) Stay at home and refrain from coming to J-Sei if:

. You are not feeling well or have symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses.
. You have tested positive in the past 10 days.
. You may have been in contact with someone who has symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

(3) Inform J-Sei immediately if you test positive within the next three days following your visit to J-Sei.

Assessing Your COVID-19 Risk

Assessing Your COVID-19 Risk

by | Dec 19, 2022 | COVID-19, News

Festive Holiday Wishes to You!

As we all try to stay cozy, complete our holiday shopping and ponder the new year, we are content in knowing that J-Sei will continue to create opportunities for mutual support, fun and expansion of experiences and thoughts.  We are all quite tired of analyzing our risk for COVID-19, but J-Sei will continue to update protocols to reflect public health guidelines to keep older adults, volunteers and staff safe.

During the past year, it has been encouraging to hold more in-person classes and events that build strong minds, bodies and social connection.  Holding our traditional Harvest Day and Holiday Marketplace in-person was so uplifting and we look forward to seeing more of you in 2023 – perhaps you will join us for our in-person Crab Feed or Flavors of Spring events.

On behalf of the J-Sei Board of Directors and staff, we wish you a peaceful, healthy and joyous holiday!

Diane Wong
Executive Director

How to Assess Your Risk

Excerpt from “COVID experts said “This is it.” then Omicron hit…” by Kellie Hwang, SF Chronicle, Dec 13, 2022

Wachter understands that “it’s exhausting to continuously reassess risk” and that some people have put the pandemic behind them and gone back to “living like it’s 2019.”

“If you’re up to date with your vaccines and boosters, including the new one, and you’re not at very high risk, that’s not an unreasonable call,” he said. “You have very little risk of a severe case, virtually no risk of death, and about a 5% risk of long COVID.”

UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong concurred that your COVID risk remains based on two factors: who you are, and the company you keep.

“In general, COVID continues to have more serious consequences in unboosted seniors (over 65), and those who are severely compromised and not up to date on vaccines,” he said. “For everyone else it generally has milder consequences, but symptoms can still not be fun or a walk in the park.”

Because Wachter is older and doesn’t want to risk long COVID, he said he continues to mask in crowded indoor spaces, and assesses his activities based on case rates. Anywhere below 10 cases per 100,000 means he’ll feel comfortable getting together in small groups without masks. With higher case rates, he’ll add safety precautions such as testing, and will forgo certain activities such as eating indoors.

Stanford’s Liu advised paying attention to public health guidance, which will vary based on the level of community risk.

“We still want people to live their lives, though,” she said. “Adjusting our behavior according to local conditions is similar to putting on a raincoat and bringing an umbrella when it’s raining and putting them away when the sun is shining.”

Read the SF Chronicle Dec 13, 2022 article

Get Free COVID-19 Test Kits

Protect yourself and loved ones this Winter.

Reserve online here.

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?
Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

COVID Booster “Bivalent”

COVID Booster “Bivalent”

by | Oct 10, 2022 | COVID-19, News

Hi Everyone —

What a tremendous joy it was to see so many people come out for our “mini outdoor festival” for J-Sei’s Familty Festival in late September.  Celebrating “Keiro no Hi” (respect for the aged day) and knowing that this remains central to our mission, we will continue to do our best to stay safe and find ways we can connect in community.

As a reminder, we encourage everyone to get boosted.  You can sign up for a booster at local pharmacies or your health care provider.  Below is a message from the City of Berkeley Department of Public Health:

 

Get new booster to strengthen your defenses against COVID-19, including Omicron

The current booster is “bivalent,” fighting older and newer variants. Masking, testing, isolation, and quarantine also reduce your risk.

Fortify your body now against COVID-19 by getting new vaccine boosters designed to combat the most widespread, current variant.

The current booster, also sometimes referred as the “Omicron” or “bivalent” booster, is available to anyone at least 12 years old. It protects against serious illness and death – risks more severe for those over 60 and others with certain medical conditions.  For more info.

J-Sei’s 50th Anniversary Gala – COVID-19 Event Protocol

by | May 16, 2022 | COVID-19

Join Us for J-Sei’s 50th Gala

Because our most important priority is to keep everyone safe, weighing the latest information from the CDC and local health authorities we have a limited number of tickets available. At the same time, we recognize how important it is to come together physically and feel safe enough to rest in the healing embrace of community.

We are asking that all guests do a rapid COVD-19 test at home on the day of the event. If you or your guests would like a test kit mailed to them please email us at gift@j-sei.org

Current COVID-19 Event Safety Protocol

To ensure the safety of our staff and guests, everyone attending the Gala must be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Guests should be prepared to provide proof of vaccination before entry. For an expedited check-in process at the event, we request that you and your guest(s) email proof of vaccination to gift@j-sei.org by Wednesday June 15th.

If you or your guest(s) are unable to be vaccinated due to a religious or medical exemption, you must alert our team at gift@j-sei.org by Wednesday June 15th for next steps. All guests are encouraged to wear a mask while not eating or drinking.

Welcome Back . . . Again!

Welcome Back . . . Again!

by | Apr 7, 2022 | COVID-19, Other News

Welcome Back … Again!

Everyone has been so patient with the fluctuations in face-to-face gatherings during the pandemic. As J-Sei has re-opened, we are so happy to welcome you back into the Emeryville building and to see each other once again.

While Zoom and other on-line offerings allowed us to avoid putting on ‘real clothes’ and driving, we all know that seeing, talking and laughing in-person with others lifts the mind and spirits. We continue our safety precautions but hope you will return to on-site programming. Social connection in our wonderful J-Sei community continues to be vital to our health and well being.

Come and rejoin your friends soon!

J-Sei Reconvenes in Community

by | Mar 1, 2022 | COVID-19, News

J-Sei COVID Protocol Update

 

Dear Friends:

We have missed seeing you and look forward to having you join us at J-Sei.

While the mandates for the state and counties have shifted, we will continue to operate with our J-Sei COVID Protocol (updated in Dec, 2021) to create a safe environment for our participants, volunteers, and staff. For all individuals who participate in our programs and all visitors, we request Proof of Vaccination and Booster.

We are implementing an electronic check-in system to streamline building entry. For those who attend classes or volunteer, a key card will be assigned to you. Once registered and instructed, you will be able to check yourself in using the computer kiosk in the front lobby upon entry.  We look forward to sharing this new feature with you.

While at J-Sei, we require everyone to wear masks indoors and observe social distancing. Safety practices will be modified as needed.  Thank you for your patience and flexibility.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Diane Wong, diane@j-sei.org.

We offer an array of Community Hybrid Programs to share new creative works and to encourage social interaction.  We know that it has been a long time of hibernation and we do value the support and cheer you bring to one another.

Diane Wong
Executive Director

 

In-Person Classes will resume:

Tues 3/15 – Tai Chi, 1-2 pm
Wed 3/16 – Ikebana, 2-4 pm
Th 3/17 – Watercolor, 1-3 pm
Fri 3/18 – Tai Chi (Intro), 1-2 pm
Tu 4/5 – J-Sei Sings, 10-11 am
Wed 4/20 – Kimekomi Doll 10am -1 pm

 

Additional classes will continue to be offered online or may offer a hybrid or in-person option. Check with your instructor on plans for a particular class.