COVID-19 Community Agreements

We keep us safe. As a network of multiply-marginalized individuals, many of whom are disabled and chronically ill, we have a collective responsibility to uphold health and safety measures that ensure everyone feels welcome at Power Shift 2023. While we are thrilled at the prospect of being able to convene in-person for the first time as a network in over 3 years, we must do so in a way that honors our comrades who continue to face heightened exposure risks to COVID-19. 

Despite the prevailing narratives of the moment, the pandemic is not over. The community agreements outlined below reflect additional cautions that hold this reality. It is our expectation that community members will conduct themselves with an abundance of caution to limit exposure to COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses before and during Power Shift 2023:

Before Attending Power Shift 2023

  • It is recommended that all attendees who are able to do so be fully vaccinated, and up to date on available COVID boosters

  • It is requested that all attendees who are able to do so take a PCR test within one (1) week of attending the Convergence

  • Participants agree to limit unmasked exposure to people outside their household within one (1) week of attending the Convergence

  • Participants are strongly encouraged to take a rapid test within 48 hours of expected travel to the Convergence. If a rapid test result is positive within this timeframe, it is expected that prospective attendees will not attend the event

  • If prospective attendees experience any of the following symptoms within one (1) week of the Convergence and suspect that it may be in connection with potential exposure to COVID-19, they will not attend the event: 

    • 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

During Power Shift 2023

  • All participants agree to wear masks at all times while indoors. Replacement masks will be provided if needed. 

  • All participants consent to having their temperature taken (via a forehead thermometer) prior to admission in all keynote presentations. If a participant’s temperature is scanned at above 100°, they will be asked to abstain from attending any further sessions until obtaining a negative test result on a rapid test (test will be provided by PSN) 

  • Meals will be consumed in outdoor spaces or in your place of lodging whenever possible to avoid prolonged periods of time at high-traffic indoor establishments 

  • Individuals are to use heightented discretion if they decide to take on more risky behavior (e.g., going to places indoors and unmasked, going to crowded public venues, etc.) while in Bvlbancha, and are strongly encouraged to disclose this information with other attendees who are sharing their living space.