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The Seeing Eye's Response to COVID-19

By Glenn Hoagland, Seeing Eye President & CEO

We are continuing to monitor the ongoing situation regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19, and we are continually reviewing and adopting new policies and procedures to help ensure The Seeing Eye is as safe an environment as it can be for our staff, volunteers, students, and guests.

In light of recent developments, we have adopted the following policies:

  • It is with the utmost concern for our staff and the students that we serve that we have made the decision to cancel the March 30th class in the hopes that we can help to break the potential COVID-19 virus cycle by lessening everyone’s exposure.
  • We are temporarily suspending staff travel to high risk areas and will continue to monitor public information about high risk areas, on which to make decisions.
  • We are minimizing instructor travel whenever possible, such as interviewing applicants via phone or Skype.
  • We are suspending training in New York City.
  • We have cancelled or postponed a number of upcoming public events that would bring visitors to campus in March and April, including our public program and tours for visitors. The Dinner Party, scheduled for May 5th, is being re-designed as an online fundraising event.
  • We are suspending attendance at conferences scheduled for the near future.
  • Puppy raisers are discouraged from attending large social gatherings, and Puppy Club meetings are canceled.
  • For the time being, we strongly discourage employees from international travel or attending large gatherings, such as sporting events, concerts, and parades.
  • Hand sanitizing stations are available at entrances and main thoroughfares around campus and multiple times per day, we are cleaning the campus with a germicidal solution, including entrance doorknobs and handles, handrails, elevator call buttons, and other frequently touched surfaces in common areas.

Once again we ask that you practice safe hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; maintain a distance of at least three feet from others; and if you sneeze or cough, please cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and then throw the tissue into the garbage. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze “into your elbow.” Most importantly, if you are feeling ill, please stay home.

Again, we are closely monitoring this situation and will be providing updates with additional changes as required. 

I’ve been asked if I’m now thinking twice about having accepted the Presidienrt/CEO job given this public health crisis that we must respond to. Absolutely not! This crisis has proven once again what a dedicated, hard-working, creative, resilient, and professional  staff I have the honor to work with.

To each and every one of you, thank you for your continued support of our mission.