What is Your Acceptable Level of Risk?

05/21/2021

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that, as of today, the Alert Level of the community is reduced from Red to ORANGE.

New Directives (and amendments to current Directives) affecting gatherings, sports & exercise activities, restaurants, and churches will be in effect as of today. Previously announced details can be viewed here.

Considering today′s relaxation of measures, the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to remind the community of the importance of maintaining Infection Prevention & Control measures of distance, hygiene, masks, vaccination, and well-being.

Over the course of the past year, the community has gained valuable knowledge in how to limit the spread of COVID-19 to themselves and their loved ones. We urge the community to use this knowledge to determine what feels safe in your day-to-day activities. Respect for each other at this time is of utmost importance.

Those who are uncomfortable with any level of risk or who may be protecting a very vulnerable person may feel a certain level of anxiety with the upcoming changes. Others may feel that the upcoming relaxation of measures is minimal and be anxious to move forward with further phases of reopening.

It is up to each individual and their family to discuss what is an acceptable level of risk for them and for us all to respect each other′s choices and offer our support as we move towards new phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remember: The least amount of risk at this time is in outdoor or well-ventilated environments. The most amount of risk of transmission is in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. In order to ensure a successful reopening, it is important that we respect the reopening phases as they are presented and limit the risk of transmission as much as possible.

Although our community has a 75% vaccination rate for those 16+, there are still 25% of our community members, some of which are more vulnerable, who are not vaccinated and are therefore at a higher level of risk. Any close contact, especially in enclosed environments and when not vaccinated, increases the risk of getting and transmitting COVID-19.

Therefore, using our current knowledge regarding safety measures allows us to control our environment, actions, and ultimately our lives. The COVID-19 Task Force is happy to transfer this control to the community at this time.