Working Together to Keep Our Community Healthy

September 11, 2020 Updates

Hybrid Phase

As we embark on another new school year, we know many Girl Scouts and troops are eager to plan for a new year in their Girl Scout journey. This year is beginning like none other than before. We have heard from many that troops would like to meet in person, but are struggling to find locations that will allow them on site. Our council is prepared to move forward with opening our buildings and properties to support volunteers and troops with meeting space. Please see below for next step instructions on how to reserve a meeting place. We will strive to accommodate as many requests as safely possible. Additionally, we have further recommendations of how troops may participate in in-person and virtual opportunities in their Girl Scout experience.

This guidance is developed for Girl Scouts from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma council based on resources from Girl Scouts of the USA, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and state and local guidelines. Our recommendations are for now only and may change based on the ever-shifting impact of the virus.

MOST IMPORTANTLY each Girl Scout family must determine what is right for them. Not all recommendations will be appropriate and comfortable for everyone; families will decide what is right for their girl. Troop Leaders will want to connect with families to understand engagement levels as activities are being planned.

How and When to Return to Troop Activities

Troop Meetings Troops may meet in person or virtually. Use the helpful information in the CDC’s How to Protect Yourself & Others guide to minimize risk and exposure.

Each Girl Scout and volunteer will need to turn in a Release and Waiver of Liability form directly to Council prior to participating in any Girl Scout activities. The Council will only need one per active member for the 2021 membership year.

Virtual Troop Meetings Online meetings are a terrific alternative offering girls and troops lots of connections and benefits. Badge-earning programming and essential girl-to-girl connectivity can easily happen at Zoom meetings.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma has Zoom accounts available for troops to use at no charge for membership year 2021. To request your Zoom account information, email customercare@gseok.org with ZOOM as the subject of the email, and include the name of the primary contact for the account with the troop number in the body of the email.

In-Person Troop Meeting Locations Outdoor spaces where social distancing can be maintained are strongly recommended for meetings. Additionally, Girl Scout offices, program centers, and service centers are open for taking reservations for troop meetings. If you are interested in making a reservation for one of our properties, email camps@gseok.org to check for availability.

GSEOK sites available for reservations:

Ada Office	McAlester Service Center
Bartlesville Service Center	Ponca City Program Center
Eaton Lodge	Stillwater Lodge
Hardesty Leadership Center	Troop House

For meetings held in public buildings, contact the facility ahead of time and ask:

Is the space cleaned, and touch surfaces (i.e., tabletops, light switches, chairs, etc.) sanitized daily?
Who else uses the space? Is the space cleaned between groups?
What type of faucets/soap dispensers are available in the restroom (sensory or manual)?

Consider whether you can supplement cleaning practices. For example, plan to bring sanitizing wipes to wipe down surfaces when you arrive. If faucets are manual, take some time to show girls how to shut them off with a paper towel. Use paper towels for doorknobs whenever possible.

NOTES:

Troop meetings may not be held in fitness centers or other facilities where a greater risk for contracting the virus may exist.
If your troop meetings in a school or church, check ahead to confirm if they are permitting outside groups to meet.

Troop Meetings in the Home Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma and Girl Scouts USA does not currently approve of in-home meetings.

Transportation To and From Meetings Individual caregivers should drop off and pick up their own girls. Carpooling and public transportation should be avoided, where possible, to maintain social distancing.

Large Group Gatherings Currently the State of Oklahoma allows large group gatherings with recommendations of social distancing protocols. However, volunteers should consult with Council guidance before planning any gatherings with greater participation larger than their own troop. Email customercare@gseok.org with LARGE GROUP GATHERING in the subject line of the email. Council staff may consider approving large group gatherings after reviewing specifics.

Answers to the following questions will guide this decision:

Do state and local law permit larger gatherings? How many people permitted?
Is the event indoors or outdoors? (Outdoors is safer than indoors.)
Can social distancing be maintained?
What county will the event occur in? What is the local transmission rate of that county?

Day Trips and Activities In conjunction with Safety Activity Checkpoints, follow the same guidance found in the Troop Meetings and Hygiene sections of this document. Call ahead to the facility or vendor to confirm that they are following CDC and state health department guidelines. If activity of sporting equipment is being provided, ask the provider if they wipe down equipment in between uses. Make whatever appropriate accommodations are necessary. For example, bring extra sanitizer if none will be provided for public use at the activity location. If the trip will need to include plans for a meal, it is best to eat outside and/or each girl bring a packed lunch from home whenever possible. When not possible, an indoor eating experience should be at a location where social distancing is practiced.

Overnight Stays Overnight Girl Scout outings are generally not permitted at this time. Some extenuating circumstances have been considered on a case by case basis.

Serving Snacks It is not recommended that snacks or food be served at Girl Scout meetings or activities. If deemed necessary to serve, only pre-packaged, individual serving food items should be used. Encourage members to bring their own individual snack or food item. Always follow hygiene safety guidelines.

Hygiene, First Aid and Face-Covering

Hygiene and COVID-19 Risk Mitigation

It is important to continuously follow our state and local health organizations and the CDC in the latest recommendations to reduce the risk of transmission.

Place signs in meeting or activity space to remind girls and volunteers to engage in everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Signs should include:

Stay home if you are sick or have a temperature.
Cough and sneeze into a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and wash or sanitize your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash hands if you do touch.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Remind girls that Girl Scouts wear face coverings (masks) not only to protect themselves but to protect others and be a sister to every Girl Scout. Girls can bring their own face coverings. Have disposable masks on hand for those who need them. Some girls or volunteers may not be able to wear masks, due to medical conditions such as asthma. Contact Customer Care (customercare@gseok.org) for guidance on how to best handle these exceptional circumstances as they arise.

Be Prepared Be prepared with first aid supplies including COVID-19 prevention items such as hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), tissues, disposable face masks, and disinfectants. Easily accessible trash baskets or bags should be supplied for meeting and activity space, if not already available. Disposable or no-contact thermometers may be added to supplies if available and not cost-prohibitive, however, parents should be checking temperatures and allowing their girls(s) to join group activities only when temperatures are normal.

Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched (i.e., table tops, markers, scissors, etc.). Use a household cleaner, or see the EPA’s list of effective cleaners approved for use against COVID-19. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). See the CDC’s website for more on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.

Personal Contact Hugs, handshakes, “high-fives”, and event activities like the friendship circle or squeeze may transmit disease. Instead, create a safe way for girls and volunteers to greet and end meetings. Maybe your troop can develop a special secret wave that only you know?

Prep Girls in Advance Share your plan for the first in-person troop meeting with families. Ask caregivers to go over it with their Girl Scout before the meetings so she understands that there will be some differences. For example, she may be asked to use hand sanitizer when she arrives at the meeting. If girls know what to expect it will be easier for them to adapt to the new troop meeting style.

Retail Store

The retail store is open at this time by appointment only. To set up your appointment please contact 918-745-5252.

Prefer to have your items shipped? Order online at Girl Scout Shop and your items will come directly to your door. Free shipping is available at this time on most items.

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Incidents

Reporting and Communicating a Positive COVID-19 Test
For Volunteers and Girl Scouts.

In the event of a COVID-19 positive test result, promptly contact the Oklahoma COVID-19 Hotline at 877-215-8336.

Department of Health Services (NOT volunteers), will be responsible for:

Confirming and tracing the positive tester
Contacting anyone who may have been exposed
Notifying the facility where a troop has met

Let other volunteers and parents know that Oklahoma Health Department, NOT volunteers, will notify parents and others about a positive test result and that the tester’s identity is confidential. Remember that girl and volunteer health information is private and confidential and should only be shared on a need to know basis with fellow members and Council staff.

If you or someone in your troop test positive for COVID-19 and had recently visited a Girl Scout property, please email kgillmiller@gseok.org or call at 918-745-5228 to discretely inform Council. Council does NOT need to know the individual who tested positive.

Acknowledgement of Receipt and Understanding

All participants of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma acknowledge that COVID-19 is a contagious virus that spreads through person-to-person contact. As with any social activity, participation in Girl Scouts could present the risk of contracting COVID-19. While GSEOK takes every safety and preventative precaution, GSEOK can in no way warrant that COVID-19 infection will not occur through participation in GSEOK programs.

June 15, 2020 Updates

Our state has now moved into Phase 3 of the national COVID reopening plan which relaxes restrictions on gatherings and businesses. We have decided to allow troops and Service Units the option to begin meeting in-person beginning June 15, 2020. We continue to monitor the level of community transmission to further assess when we will open for larger programming and gatherings in the future. Below you will find guidelines for different activities and events that occur in your Girl Scout’s experience during this Mostly Virtual Phase. As mentioned before, as we are comfortable and the cases continue to decline, we will release guidelines describing how troops and Girl Scouts can further gather in the next step to reopen. This next step is a modest phase in reopening. We continue to take the highest amount of care to ensure everyone is safe when we gather together.

We will continue to be committed to offer virtual programming, online trainings and new ways to connect with our Girl Scout community throughout the next several months. Per federal guidelines, all vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place and minimize exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical. A vulnerable individual is defined as someone who is elderly or an individual with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy. We should all take into consideration those who still may not be able to participate in person and plan accordingly. The lift on troop and volunteer gatherings is only the choice to do so. We will always defer to the judgement of the parent or guardian to keep their daughter safe in the activities she participates in. Dually, volunteers will need to make the best decision for themselves.

Mostly Virtual Phase

At this time, the buildings and properties will remain closed to the public. The retail store is available for curbside pickup. Reopening the properties will be considered based on CDC and local health department guidance related to community spread.
Troop meetings will be allowed for troop leaders and girls whose parents consent. All troops can still continue to meet virtually and take advantage of the Girl Scouting at Home programming.
Girl Scouts service projects should continue to remain contactless. Continue to check the National Service Projects on the GSUSA page for safe and distanced ideas to serve the community.
Troop camping on GSEOK properties will continue to remain closed. All Troops may also consider a virtual campouts at this time.
Troop trips and outings will continued to be deferred. If your troop had a trip planned this summer, please contact Kathryn Davis Robb for further instruction and support on how to reschedule your trip at kdavisrobb@gseok.org.
Service Unit meetings should continue to meet monthly. If a Service Unit chooses to meet in person it must meet all social distance and hygiene guidelines. It is still advisable for Service Units to continue to meet virtually through Zoom meetings, Facebook Live meetings, etc.
Service Unit events and campouts should not be conducted in person. If your Service Unit missed your regular rotation dates due to COVID-19, your Service Unit campout will be considered during the two upcoming rotation periods.
Adult trainings will continue to be conducted virtually. More virtual trainings are planned for upload on gsLearn.
Council-sponsored programs will continue to be conducted virtually. We will continue to be developed throughout the summer, with the possibility of small, outdoor programming in the future. Please check our website for exciting new programs and activities.
Virtual Day Camp and Summer Camp are open for registration now. For more information, please follow this link - http://bit.ly/37ucyX2
Third-party events will not be held.

We appreciate your patience as we cautiously begin to reopen Girl Scout gatherings. We look forward to future days where we can gather in larger groups. If you have any questions about our reopening plan or anything else, please email at customercare@gseok.org.

May 15, 2020 Updates

Yesterday our state and local authorities announced our communities will move into Phase 2 of the Presidential Reopening Plan effective today. This removes more restrictions and allows larger gatherings. We will continue to restrict meeting in person until we can attest that community transmission remains low and there is not a spike in cases following the opening of facilities and events in our state. Below you will find guidelines for different activities and events that occur in your Girl Scout’s experience during this Virtual Phase. As soon as we are comfortable and the cases continue to decline, we will release a Phase 2 guideline describing how troops and Girl Scouts can gather again in the next step to reopen. We are eager to enjoy our traditional Girl Scout programs and activities, but we want to take an abundance of care to ensure our gatherings are safe.

We will continue to offer virtual programming, online trainings and new ways to connect with our Girl Scout community throughout the next several months, even when we can begin to gather again. Per federal guidelines, all vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place throughout Phase 2, and minimize exposure to social settings where social distancing may not be practical. A vulnerable individual is defined as someone who is elderly or an individual with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy. Even when circumstances allow for gatherings and activities to reconvene in a safe way, we should all take into consideration those who still may not be able to participate in person.

Additionally, we will always defer to the judgement of the parent or guardian to keep their daughter safe in the activities she participates in.

Phase One – Virtual Phase

Reopening of council buildings to the public, including the retail store, will be considered based on CDC and local health department guidance related to community spread. Currently the buildings are closed to all but essential personnel. The retail store is allowed to provide curbside pickup following strict safety protocol.
Troop meetings should not be conducted in person. Troops should continue to meet virtually and take advantage of the Girl Scouting at Home programming.
Girl Scouts should use the National Service Projects for safe and distanced ways to serve the community.
Troop camping should not be conducted in person. Troops may plan virtual campouts at this time.
Troop trips and outings will not be allowed. If your troop had a trip planned this summer, please contact Kathryn Davis Robb at kdavisrobb@gseok.org for further instruction and support on how to reschedule your trip.
Service unit meetings should continue to meet virtually monthly through Zoom meetings, Facebook Live meetings, etc.
Service unit events and campouts should not be conducted in person. If your service unit missed your regular rotation dates due to COVID-19, your service unit campout will be considered during the two upcoming rotation periods.
All adult trainings usually conducted in-person should not be conducted in person. Adult trainings that can be completed virtually, will continue to do so. More virtual trainings are planned for upload on gsLearn.
Council-sponsored programs will not be conducted in person. Some council-sponsored programs will be conducted virtually. Please check our website for exciting new programs and activities.
Day camp and resident camp has been canceled for the 2020 season. Virtual camp programming will be coming throughout the summer.
Third-party events will not be conducted.

The council has been working with the service unit teams on the distribution of cookie rewards and the process for cookie donations have been sent to the service unit teams. Please contact your Service Unit Cookie Coordinator or Customer Care at customercare@gseok.org with any questions.

We know that this time has been challenging. We appreciate all of you, as parents and volunteers, for continuing to support the Movement to make a difference in girls’ lives. We have a strong Girl Scout community to help one another during these times of uncertainty. As we move forward, we hope you will allow us to know how we can continue to support you and the Girl Scout experience stronger than ever before.

April 16, 2020 Updates

At Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, the health and safety of our members and staff are our number one priority. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of community transmission levels and the requirements of state and local mandates in the coming months, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Resident and Day Camps this 2020 season.

Everyone who has already registered for camp will receive a full refund, including their deposit. The refunds will be made in the same format the payment was made. Due to the volume of registrations that will be refunded, please allow 10-14 business days from this email before receiving your refund.

We know this news will be disappointing to many Girl Scouts. Please know we reviewed many possibilities and options before deciding to cancel. It is a hard decision, but it is the right decision for the safety of our Girl Scouts. We will continue to develop virtual opportunities that can be done from your home. We also hope you will join us for a virtual campfire on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. Please visit Girls Scouts at Home for the resources to participate in virtual programming. We look forward to planning an incredible Camp season 2021!

We will continue to provide updates on the COVID-19 page on our website for the status of other programs in the future. Please contact customer care at customercare@gseok.org with any questions, and we would be happy to assist you.

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we all work together to make adjustments during this time.

March 24, 2020 Updates

At a news conference this afternoon, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that all non-essential businesses in the 19 Oklahoma counties with reported cases of COVID-19 must close at 11:59 p.m. on March 25, for the next 21 days.

Following the direction of Governor Stitt, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma announces the following effective at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow:

Mandatory work from home for all but essential council personnel.
All in-person council-sponsored events, service unit meetings, troop meetings, troop camping, trainings, mobile programming, and Anytime Activities are canceled for the months of April and May.
Facility rentals are canceled for the months of April and May.
Girl Scout Cookie Program:
- Direct sales, Digital Cookie Girl Delivered Order,s and GSEOK website orders must be suspended.
- Direct Shipped orders through Digital Cookie may be placed. Reduced shipping rates of $5 off nine or more packages is being offered through April 5.
- Troops with remaining inventory as of April 5 will not be allowed to return cookies from April 5 to April 11 as previously communicated. Additional details will be provided regarding return dates once we are cleared to gather.
  - Troops need to allocate sold cookies to girls and update eBudde ASAP. This will help council to accurately assess the remaining inventory.

Refunds will be issued for canceled program events, trainings, activities and facility rentals scheduled from March 16 through May 30.

Customer Care remains available to assist you during regular business hours, 800-707-9914 or email customercare@gseok.org.

We appreciate your patience and support during this unprecedented time. Remember, a Girl Scout is something you are, not only something that you do.

March 16, 2020 Updates

The safety of girls, families, volunteers, donors, and staff is always foremost in our decisions. With the announcement from Mayor Bynum in compliance with CDC recommendations, combined with the fast-changing landscape of the impact of COVID-19, effective immediately, we are closing the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma offices to the public and cancelling the following Girl Scout activities. We are continuing to closely monitor the Coronavirus pandemic, follow CDC guidelines, the Tulsa Health Department, related agencies, and the recommendations of our national organization, GSUSA.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma announces the following closures effective immediately through April 5. We will monitor continually the next three weeks and communicate accordingly.

The Hardesty Leadership Center and all council service centers including: Troop House, Camp Tallchief, Camp Swannie, Camp Wah-Shah-She, Ada Girl Scout Office, Bartlesville Girl Scout Service Center, McAlester Girl Scout Service Center, Ponca City Girl Scout Service Center, Stillwater Girl Scout Lodge and Eaton Lodge, will be closed to the public effective, Monday, March 16 through April 5. Our staff will be working throughout this time and will be available to support you by phone, email or virtual means.
The Girl Scout Store at the Hardesty Leadership Center will be closed effective, Monday, March 16 through April 5. While our shop is closed, please feel free to call, shop online or email us for merchandise needs. Shipping will be available, please stay tuned for shipping discounts to be announced. Our Badge Bucks promotion will continue online. Please provide your phone number in all email communications so we may call you for payment and shipping details.
For 2020 Cookie Program information, please reference the March 15 Updates on our website.
Our cookie cupboards will remain open as announced through Wednesday, we will make every effort to ensure contact less exchanges.
Should you need to coordinate an in-person meeting to pick-up materials or address other concerns, please contact the staff member directly to arrange a safe and appropriate transfer.
All in-person council-sponsored events, service unit meetings, troop meetings, troop camping, trainings, mobile programming, and Anytime Activities are canceled beginning Monday, March 16, through April 5.
Facility rentals beginning on Monday, March 16 will be canceled through April 5.
Showcase, scheduled Saturday, April 25, is cancelled. We are evaluating options for the election of the Board, Board Development Committee, National Delegates and Alternates. The Adult Recognition and Gold Award Ceremonies will be postponed.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma will issue refunds for cancelled program events, trainings, activities and facility rentals scheduled between March 16th through April 5th.
Customer Care remains available to assist you during regular business hours, 800-707-9914 or email customercare@gseok.org.

This does not mean that Girl Scouting stops. We encourage you to use webinars, teleconferences, and other technologies to engage girls and adults. We will also support you through virtual opportunities.

Remember, a Girl Scout is something you are, not only something that you do.

March 15, 2020 Updates

March 15, 2020 - Effective immediately, all remaining cookie booths are postponed.

At this point we do not have a target restart date as our booth partners' (Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) focus is on managing their own businesses. Digital Cookie with a delivery option remains a safe and viable way to sell cookies. We are working on a delivery discount and will have that in place soon.

This week the council will release new guidelines to help the troops with the final ACH, cookie inventories, etc.

In light of the decision to postpone all remaining cookie booths effective March 15^th, the following changes to the 2020 Cookie Program are being implemented in an effort to help girls achieve their goals, assist troops with remaining inventory, and ensure the safety and well-being of our girls and volunteers.

Sale dates extended to April 5^th - Although cookie booths have been postponed, direct sales and Digital Cookie orders can continue through April 5^th. Be sure that any sales are done in a safe and healthy manner.
- Direct Sales – Conduct a friends and family only sale, subject to parent/guardian discretion. Ask friends and family members to buy more cookies and stock up on their favorites! Partner with local businesses and ask them to do a ‘Corporate buyout’!
  - Social Media – Please refrain from making broad asks for help on large audience sites. A post on your page asking friends and family members to support your troop is okay. Posting to a marketplace or neighborhood site is not.
- Digital Cookie -
  - For Girl Delivered orders, consider a ‘contactless’ delivery (i.e. porch drops), where the girl would leave the order on the customer’s doorstep.
  - S’Mores and Toffee-tastic varieties have been turned back on in Digital Cookie to assist troops in reducing their inventory.
  - If girls receive a Girl Delivered order and don’t have the inventory, please look to the cookie exchange to help out another troop.
  - Discounted shipping rates will be offered on Digital Cookie. We are currently working with GSUSA to implement this special and details will be communicated later this week.
ACH Procedures – One additional ACH withdraw has been added:
- March 31^st – ACH 75% or more of the amount owed to council. The amount for ACH #2 will be loaded in eBudde by March 18^th.
- April 22^nd – Final balance due.
- Troops requesting an adjusted amount to the ACH (either increase or decrease) must email productsalesACH@gseok.o rg by March 29^th.
Cookie Cupboards – We are closing call cookie cupboards, effective March 18^th. We are so thankful to our cupboard volunteers and appreciate the countless hours they dedicate to the cookie program.
Remaining Inventory – Troops with remaining inventory as of April 5^th can return full cases to designated council locations.
- Encourage each girl to sell two more cases of cookies. Reducing troop inventory as much as possible helps the council maintain the support and resources needed to carry out our mission.
- Troops need to allocate sold cookies to girls and update eBudde ASAP. This will help council to accurately assess the remaining inventory.
- Cookies can be returned from April 5^th to April 11^th to specific council locations. Additional details will be communicated soon. Cookies cannot be returned prior to April 5^th as we are currently working on the logistics necessary to ensure proper storage of cookies, especially as we head into warmer months.
Rewards – Troop reward orders will be due on April 8^th, with estimated arrival May 13^th – May 31^st.
- ‘Sell Out Incentive’ – The ‘Last Booth Blast’ incentive that was scheduled to occur from March 14^th – March 22^nd has been renamed the ‘Sell Out Incentive’. Troops who do not return any cookies to the council will be entered into a drawing to win $150 in troop proceeds!
Booth Sales – When the environment is deemed to be safe, we will reestablish booth sales and offer troops and girls who participate a unique set of rewards. Until this occurs, all remaining council approved cookie booths (troop or individual girl) are postponed.

We know this has been an unusual cookie season and we are doing our best to make decisions that are in best interests of our girls, troops and the council. We appreciate your patience and support.

March 13, 2020

At Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and well-being of our girls, volunteers, and council staff. We share your growing concern about the spread of COVID-19 in eastern Oklahoma and will take all appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have a safe, fun, one-of-a-kind experience at Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma strives to be a reliable resource for our members by providing accurate, timely, and accessible information. We are closely monitoring COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the local public health departments for each of the 30 counties within our council boundaries.

Stay Informed!
For accurate information and important updates on the prevention, spread, and treatment of COVID-19, we recommend that our members:

Regularly visit The Centers for Disease Control website for updated information on preventative measures when out in public.
Reference their local health department’s website for information on the spread of COVID-19 in their area.
Frequent GSEOK’s council website for information on preventative measures and council action.

At this time, all GSEOK council-sponsored events, programs and facility reservations are operating as normal except for the Harlem Globetrotter event which has been postponed. We are paying close attention to local guidance around school closures. At this point Governor Stitt is recommending that schools remain open. Per the CDC, children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus. As much as possible, children should be allowed to carry on with their education and normal activities.

With the uncertainty in the news reports, Girl Scouts of USA has published an article: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus. This article’s dos and don’ts will help you stay on track in your communications about COVID-19.

Be Prepared! Minimize Your Risk
The CDC has shared the following things you can do to minimize your risk of contracting any virus:

Stay home when you are not feeling well.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Plan Ahead!
We understand that making decisions in a rapidly evolving environment can be overwhelming. GSEOK encourages our volunteers and caregivers to use their best judgement when determining whether to hold troop meetings or attend Girl Scout events. If your troop has a service project that involves a facility with persons with weakened immune systems such as a hospital or nursing home, you may want to consider postponing the event, or at a minimum contacting the facility to determine whether they are allowing outside groups to enter.

Consult Your Public Health Department
Visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website for the most up-to-date information in your area. Use our Service Unit/County Health Department Catalogue to look up your local County Health Department’s website.