COVID Continued

By Vicki Sanfelipo, RN – Executive Director ASM/Road Guardians

The question that we are frequently asked is, are you still teaching classes in person classes despite concerns about COVID-19?

The answer is not always easy. Some areas are more concerned than others. Some groups are more concerned than others. Some students are more concerned than others and some instructors are more concerned than others. ASM does not make decisions for the groups, the students, or the instructors; however we do make suggestions to make the classroom experience as safe as possible. So far, we have had great cooperation and consideration in our classrooms and limiting the spread of germs fits with our medically oriented training.

ASM recommends that all local guidelines and recommendations be followed. We recommend that students wear masks when entering the classroom and finding their seats. Once they are seated they can remove their mask, especially if they are not talking and are listening to the instructor during the lecture portions of the class. When students get out of their seats to practice skills or take breaks, we ask that they wear their masks.

If there are students who hang out together or live together, they are welcome to sit together throughout the class. If there is a student who prefers to have a 6 ft distance, we provide that opportunity. We recommend that students bring their own hand sanitizer and that they bring their own full-face helmet for practice if they have one. We also ask students not to come to class if they have a cough or are feeling ill. Recommend that they do not attend if they have been near someone recently who has become ill. All instructors have medical training so they will go over what expectations are at the beginning of the day. They will listen to any concerns that you might have both before and during the class. We can provide as safe of an environment as possible, but we cannot say that gathering together as a group is risk free any more than we can say that if you ride a motorcycle, you will never crash. The ultimate decision regarding whether or not you take an in-person class is yours to make.

At this time we are teaching as many classes as we did prior to COVID, and so far things have been going well. We are proud of our students and their concern for others! We have had to make some adjustments along the way, but at the end of the day we have not heard of any issues that have come from students taking our classes.

For those who would like to take the class but would not like to get together in a classroom setting with other students, we understand! We have virtual classes that can be taken online, and if certification is desired, the student can go on to take a 3-hour zoom class with a certified instructor. We have been providing those classes for 12 months now and they have received wonderful reviews. Ultimately, we want anyone who would like to be trained to have the opportunity. Motorcycle crashes in 2020 and 2021 were up, so this training is more important than ever. Is there anything we can do to help you so that you can be available for a friend in need?

If so, contact us HERE