JWS Health & Safety Protocols and Procedures

This is a living document, influenced by the current CDC Guidelines.
Last updated on May 4th, 2025.

Guiding Principles

  • While you are actively enrolled in class, we ask that you consider your teachers, accompanists and classmates when assessing upper respiratory and COVID related risk. Regardless of your circumstances, please recognize that this community consists of people who are immunocompromised and/or have underlying conditions.

  • We recognize that there is no single action that is guaranteed to be 100% effective against the spread of upper respiratory illnesses (including COVID). However, the following practices are intended to mitigate risk of transmission as best as possible while we learn together.

  • Your class deposits, signature on our forms, and enrollment confirmations all individually serve as your agreement to abide by these policies.

COVID 19 Community Level

  • As New York County’s COVID 19 Hospital Admission Levels change between HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW the Studio will continue to monitor and implement best safety practices regarding COVID-19 and its variants.

  • The NYC COVID Hospital Admission Level is currently LOW.

Ventilation

  • Classrooms are equipped with HEPA Air Purifiers. (MERV filter rating 17 equivalent)

Screening and Testing Protocols 

Experiencing severe symptoms of an upper respiratory illness?

In the past 48 hours have you:

  • Experienced a fever or body chills?

  • Developed a cough or shortness of breath?

  • Experienced new or unexplained muscle or body aches?

  • Experienced new or unexplained nausea or vomiting?

  • Experienced new or unexplained loss of taste or smell?

If so, stay home, email jake@jenwaldman.com, and take a covid test. We can zoom you into class or you can find a sub if you wish.

Experiencing minor symptoms of an upper respiratory illness?

In the past 48 hours have you:

  • Developed a sore throat?

  • Developed congestion or a runny nose?

  • Developed new or unexplained fatigue?

  • Developed a new or unexplained headache?

AND

In the past 48 hours have you:

  • Been in close contact with someone who is known to be sick?

If so, either take a covid test prior to class, or wear a mask until your symptoms resolve.

Recently tested positive for Covid-19?

For the purpose of following these guidelines, day one is your first full day of experiencing symptoms.

You may come to class unmasked if:

  • You are past day five, have you been symptom free for more than 48 hours, and are no longer testing positive for COVID-19.

  • You are past day ten and have you been symptom free for more than 48 hours.

You may come to class masked if:

  • You are past day five, have you been symptom free for more than 72 hours, but are still testing positive for COVID-19.

In all other cases, stay home and email jake@jenwaldman.com. We can zoom you into class or you can find a sub if you wish.

Failure to Abide by JWS Upper Respiratory Protocols

  • Any individual who arrives at the studio will not be admitted if their proof of vaccination has not been received.

  • Any class participants or private coaching clients found in direct violation of our Upper Respiratory Protocols will be removed from class, and will be barred from future enrollment at JWS.

  • Students who are removed from a class or denied admittance due to a failure to abide by the JWS Upper Respiratory Agreements and Protocols are not eligible for a refund.