ABC Keystone President Message

Are We There Yet?

By: G. DAVID SLOAD, ABC KEYSTONE PRESIDENT-CEO

Anyone that has been on a long drive with children, or remembers long drives as a child, is very familiar with the phrase “Are we there yet?” It brings back memories of impatience and seemed to make long drives even longer. As we have now completed a little over sixteen long weeks of COVID-19 restrictions, we keep wanting to know when we will get “there,” and when we will reach the next stage.

As we continue our COVID-19 travels into July, it appears that our entire Chapter area, like the rest of the state, will have reached the green phase. What does this really mean? For construction, it means you may be able to have larger groups for meetings, and the restriction on the number of employees you can have in a building goes away. However, social distancing and masks, as well as sanitation protocols, are still in effect.

For the Chapter, the green phase means we can start to get back to some normalcy with our programs and the use of our building. We are beginning to offer in-person training for both safety and career development. I encourage you to check out the ABC website for all upcoming classes. In addition, we have started to take registrations for networking events that are scheduled for September through December.

While it seems like things are getting back to normal, being in the Chapter office will not be like that which you are typically accustomed. ABC still needs to follow CDC COVID-19 safety guidelines. Therefore, we have put protocols in place to ensure the safety of our members, students, guests and staff. As you enter the building, you will be required to scan a QR code and complete the COVID-19 health questionnaire. Only upon receiving a green check (which shows successful completion of the questionnaire) can you proceed to your class. In addition, all visitors, as well as instructors, will be required to wear a face covering or face shield while in the building.

Behind the scenes, the staff and our cleaning service will be doing additional sanitizing to make sure we are doing our part to keep you safe. Because COVID-19 still exists, “We have not gotten there yet.” No one knows yet “where” that is and when it will be.

In the meantime, we, as a Chapter, and you, as members, need to continue to work together and do our collective part to contain the spread of COVID-19. The top priority continues to be to keep everyone and their families safe. Continue to watch our website and your registration emails for updates on COVID-19 safety protocols in place for your visits to the Chapter, as some of these measures are ever-evolving.

As my father always said, “I’ll let you know when we get there.”


Posted July 9, 2020