2020-06-28
It’s important to me that everyone is safe
Australia has done well at minimizing the deadly harm of COVID-19: you only need to look at the USA, UK and Brazil to see how fortunate we’ve been.
We can sadly look at Melbourne in June to see how easily COVID can get away from us.
Finally, we need to remember that in 2018 influenza killed 3,102 Australians (1).
In 2020, the incidence of the flu has dropped dramatically. The same physical distancing and hand washing precautions we’re taking to prevent COVID also fortunately prevent influenza.
So hygiene precautions are doubly worthwhile!
We Want To Be Safe And Responsible...
...So there are a few changes to the way we’re teaching.
COVID-19 transmission is less likely via hard surfaces, but more likely via aerosol droplet infections (that is, in your breath, especially via coughs and sneezles).
It isn’t necessary to wear face masks, but it’s wise to take some simple precautions to keep us all safe.
When you arrive, there is hand sanitizer by the door.
In the bathroom there is antibacterial soap, and “hands free” paper towels and foot operated bin.
There’s now a crystal clear perspex “sneeze-guard” between our two teaching pianos:
I’ve purposely made the screen very large, and painted the frame white, so that it’s actually minimally intrusive when you’re learning.
You can see that there are tissues, hand sanitizer, and a foot operated bin next to the piano as well.
I’ve always strongly encouraged parents to participate in lessons.
I firmly believe that students progress faster when parents sit in!
If I’m going to encourage you to join in, it’s my responsibility to ensure your safety.
Firstly, I’ve replaced the leather chairs with comfy Sebel chairs that can be sanitized easily. There’s tissues, hand sanitizer, and a foot operated bin right by the table:
Physical Distancing
Parents are sitting at least 1.5 metres away from me, so physical distancing rules are followed.
Limits
We’re blessed to have a very large teaching studio (we can fit 40 chairs for concerts!)
However, for the moment we’re going to have a limits of:
4 people in the waiting room, and
4 people (plus me!) in the teaching studio.
Tea and Coffee
I’ve replaced the coffee and tea with individual serves:
You’re always welcome to bring your own tea or coffee from home in a thermos!
I hope that you can see how seriously I take the responsibility of keeping my students safe.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss them.
Many thanks!
Stephen Walter
(1) Influenza statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3303.0
