Should I Stay or Should I Go?

When the English punk rock band, The Clash, released their hit song “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” in 1982 they probably never imagined it would be a helpful mantra during a global pandemic. Though 2021 may be beginning to look brighter in terms of health crisis relief, it remains important that we all continue to play our part in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

Once it’s safe to go, each volunteer reviews material and signs the acknowledgement form found at “Volunteer Protocols During COVID-19”- and self-screen for any symptoms of COVID-19 the morning of each and every event.

However, when to stay comes in to play if individuals observe any symptoms or if they’ve been around anyone in the last 14 days who is diagnosed with COVID-19. Volunteers with symptoms or potential exposure should plan to stay home and notify the trip leader.

Once the winter snow begins to melt and the Trail season begins to start up again, ATC is very excited to serve as a partner with local Trail Clubs in promoting A.T. volunteer events. In-person events that are being hosted by Trail maintaining clubs are making go/no-go decisions on their events up to a day or more in advance of their activities based on local conditions and virus transmission rates. Activity leaders are responsible for contacting event registrants with any advance notice of cancellation or postponement.

All in all, even though the year 2020 is behind us there is still more work to be done. The good news, however, is that we can all individually contribute towards making a change for the better, together.