1/25/21
Western Wheelers Bicycle Club
COVID 19 - Ride Leader Training
In addition to studying this training document, all WWBC Ride Leaders must acknowledge that they have familiarized themselves with the Guidelines for Joining WW Club Rides and that they have read the current WWBC Social Distancing Protocol. You can print a copy of the protocol from the link or request a printed copy from WWBC Ride Chair (ridechair@westernwheelers.org).
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. Cases of reinfection with COVID-19 have been reported but are rare. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.
How easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as efficiently as measles, which is among the most contagious viruses known to affect people.
People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection.
When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from larger droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets. Small droplets can also form particles when they dry very quickly in the airstream.
Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.
As the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with COVID-19, the concentration of these droplets decreases. Larger droplets fall out of the air due to gravity. Smaller droplets and particles spread apart in the air.
With passing time, the amount of infectious virus in respiratory droplets also decreases.
Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space.
This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission and is an important way that infections like tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread.
There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising.
Under these circumstances, scientists believe that the amount of infectious smaller droplet and particles produced by the people with COVID-19 became concentrated enough to spread the virus to other people. The people who were infected were in the same space during the same time or shortly after the person with COVID-19 had left.
Available data indicate that it is much more common for the virus that causes COVID-19 to spread through close contact with a person who has COVID-19 than through airborne transmission.
Respiratory droplets can also land on surfaces and objects. It is possible that a person could get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads
It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations. CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Learn what you should do if you have pets.
At this time, the risk of COVID-19 spreading from animals to people is considered to be low. Learn about COVID-19 and pets and other animals.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. You can take steps to slow the spread.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others, whenever possible. This is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. This helps reduce the risk of spread both by close contact and by airborne transmission.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air as much as possible. In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets.
Stay home and isolate from others when sick.
Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and take other steps to stop the spread at home.
Pandemics can be stressful, especially when you are staying away from others. During this time, it’s important tomaintain social connections and care for your mental health.
Learn more about what you can do toprotect yourself and others.
Some people are more likely than others to become severely ill. These include Older Adults and People with Medical Conditions. Other people have factors that may require taking extra precautions against COVID-19.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
You can be around others after:
10 days since symptoms first appeared and
24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving
See the CDC site safely end home isolation for more information.
Stay home and get tested if you have a frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, or recent loss of taste or smell. Stay home if you or someone you live with has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you’ve had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
If you have any concerns about not feeling well or having possible contact with an infected person, it is important to get tested for COVID-19 in accordance with County guidance. Testing is available through your healthcare provider or at free community testing sites (www.sccfreetest.org ).
Remind all participants about the need for frequent handwashing with soap and water (or hand sanitizer when water unavailable), mandatory face coverings, the importance of social distancing, and other measures required in this Protocol.
If you have any questions about WWBC Social Distancing Protocol requirements please contact the club President (president@westernwheelers.org) or Ride Chair (ridechair@westernwheelers.org). You also have the right to report any deficiencies in compliance with Social Distancing Protocol requirements by this business or any other at which they may work at www.sccCOVIDconcerns.org or by calling the County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement Advice Line at 866-870-7725.