I somehow believed in my heart that with COVID, it would not be a matter of if, but rather when the virus would enter our home. Despite the heightened concern of recent COVID-19 spikes in our state, we decided to take the risk and head out to a local campground with two other families for a short weekend “getaway”. The campground was under Phase 1 of the Fond du Lac County Safe Restart guidelines and Breezy Hill Campground was clearly abiding by the recommendations.
While we were careful to maintain social distancing with other campers at the campground, we didn’t do this with the other two families while there. We had a great time the two nights that we spent there!
On Sunday morning while at the campground, Natalie began feeling the symptoms of a mild cold, and reluctantly agreed to get tested for COVID. Her results were positive! I am certain she didn’t catch the virus while camping, but rather contracted it while at her Bold Cycle exercise classes during the preceding week.
Here is Bold Cycle’s policy regarding masks:
Social Distancing Practices
- All staff and riders will be required to wear a mask at all times and maintain social distancing. Facial coverings and masks must cover both mouth and nose.
I learned recently that despite our state’s emergency order regarding masks, Bold Cycle doesn’t enforce its own recommendations and many staff and riders only wear face shields in lieu of face masks while riding. Face shields are proven NOT to provide protection against the virus and according to the CDC are not recommended as written on their site here:
“A face shield is primarily used for eye protection for the person wearing it. At this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides to people nearby from the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer. There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.”
Additionally, the Governor’s Emergency Order requiring masks clearly defines “Face coverings” to NOT include face shields.
I am currently aware of at least 10 people that are infected with COVID-19 due to direct or indirect contact with Bold Cycle and I suspect that number will grow. While no one rider should be blamed for this outbreak and all of them are equally responsible for making the choices they did while exercising, I am personally upset with Bold Cycle for not following the State’s Emergency Order and their very own policy regarding the use of face masks while riding. Ultimately, the riders and staff should have been more cautious, but in my opinion, this could have been avoided had it not been for Bold Cycle’s negligence.
I just learned on Wednesday, that I now have tested positive after I started to exhibit symptoms a few days after Natalie. We are now both under quarantine until the end of next week. So far our symptoms are uncomfortable but remain relatively mild.
