ABOUT COVID19 and the sweat lodge.

At this time, sweat lodges and all in-person events at Malvern Sweat Lodge are only for vaccinated persons.  This is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. At this point it is clear that vaccination makes it very unlikely that an individual will pass on the SARS-CoV2 virus, and it is also clear that vaccination involves extremely low risk.  In conversation, individuals who have declined vaccination have told me that they value their body integrity above protecting others from disease, they emphasize their individuality over community.  In the sweat lodge, we are all partners in the safety of the ceremony. If an individual will not take on a small risk to themselves for great benefit to the community, it seems trust in that person would be unwarranted. All our COVID19 protocols emphasize reducing the odds of transmitting, rather than each individual seeking to protect themselves.

 A few people have told me they have a serious health concern that make vaccination too dangerous for them – in that case, a sweat lodge would also be too dangerous for them.  There are a number of other health conditions for which the sweat lodge is too dangerous, this is one more.  I hope they can find a ceremony where their presence doesn’t place them at risk to themselves and others.

Everyone who gets COVID is given it by someone - that someone is the person we should be talking to. We need to help people to not be the source of another's infection. Elevate the 'stop transmitting' conversation over 'keep yourself safe.'

COVID19 Protocols for Malvern Sweat Lodge.

 I know, we are tired of talking about this, but, here we are.

Covid Protocol: focus of our COVID protocol is that each person acts to minimize the risk of harming another.  Of course, you should think about your own safety, but service to others is the best service to self.

Vaccinated persons can be expected to be less likely to infect someone else. All in-persons events here are for vaccinated only.

                Sick? Stay away. Early symptoms that follow a SARs-CoV2 infection are usually mild enough that most people can ignore them for a day or so, but don’t!  Early symptoms of COVID19 include, scratchy throat, dry cough, sniffles, fever, stomach upset, etc.

                Test.  If you have any doubts, a negative result from a Home Rapid Antigen test will make it unlikely that you will infect someone else in the next few hours.  I have some spare tests if you need one.

                Ventilation is key since the SARs-CoV2 virus is mostly acquired by inhaling someone else’s exhale. We’ll try to be outdoors and run fans if indoors. 

                Wear a mask.  If you are unsure about a recent exposure wear a mask.  It is your responsibility to avoid breathing virus onto others, whether they put on a mask to protect themselves is not the issue. 

                Let me know!! If in the days after being here, you get sick or test positive, please let me know so I can let others know if they are at risk. 

Only vaccinated persons are invited to attend any in-person activity here at Malvern Sweat Lodge.  We have been blessed with vaccines that make it far less hazardous to become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For a vaccinated person, the odds of contracting the COVID19 is reduced compared to an unvaccinated person.  And even more important, if a vaccinated person contracts the COVID19 disease, they are far less likely to progress to serious illness or death.

Here are several points that I hope all will consider before coming here:

Please stay away if your vaccinations are not up to date.  COVID19 is still as deadly as ever to those who are unvaccinated. And those who are unvaccinated are more likely to catch and spread SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Please stay away if you are unwell.  We don't want anything that you might spread to others.

Please stay away if you, or anyone with whom you have been with is sick with COVID19, or has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Please carefully consider what an infection will mean to someone you live with if they are unvaccinated and/or immunocompromised.  You can expect that immunocompromised people may be at the sweat lodge. 

Please consider testing yourself to see if you may infect someone else.  While a negative home rapid antigen test result does not mean you can't still be infected with SARs-CoV2 virus, it does indicate that you are unlikely to infect someone else in the next 24 hours. (Get free tests from COVID.GOV/TESTS. We are happy to accept any extra tests you have.)

In case you haven't noticed, the emphasis of this protocol is that each person act with the intention of protecting others.  Some of our antivax former friends have asked, "Why are you so afraid?"  I turn that around and ask, "Why are you so unwilling to put yourself out, or take even a very small risk, to protect others?"

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