Page 8 - NJ Cooperator Winter 2020

8 THE NEW JERSEY COOPERATOR —WINTER 2020 NJCOOPERATOR.COM TRENDS The holidays: a time for upholding long-standing traditions, usually in- volving festive gatherings of family and friends, communal meals, sacred services, gift exchanges, visitors, and, invariably, crowds—until this year, that is. The coronavirus is forcing families and communities to reconsider what, how, and with whom they celebrate in ways that have never before been addressed. For festivities that occur in co-ops, con- dos, and HOAs, those plans will also have to account for new rules and restrictions that associations and corporations have adopted to keep their residents, staff, and visitors as safe as possible as the pandem- ic heads into another year. But in spite of the unprecedented chal- lenges before them, associations and co- operatives are finding ways to imbue the season with spirit and celebration. It just might look a bit different than it has in the past. Where the Weather Is Warm In localities where pleasant tempera- tures stick around for the holiday season, outdoor festivities offer communities a safer option for gathering than being in- doors. Where six-foot separation can be maintained, and provided that masks are worn properly by all attendees when they are not eating or drinking, a small out- door holiday gathering with people from outside one’s household is considered “moderate risk” by health experts, includ- ing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (“Lower risk” activi- ties are discussed in the next section.) Warm-weather locations are also pop- ular holiday destinations for out-of-state visitors, of course, so communities in places like Florida and Nevada must also consider how they are going to handle an influx of guests, revelers, and vacationers when states’ viral counts are surging and regulations for quarantining and COVID testing change frequently. Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner of the City of Aventura, Florida, as well as the Aventura Marketing Council’s Chair- person of the Condo and Homeowners Board Members Association and board president at The Point condo association where she lives, tells us that multifam- ily communities should plan carefully in anticipation of holiday visitors as well as incoming ‘snowbirds’ (residents who come together and enjoy their properties. that doesn’t involve contact with others spend warmer seasons up north and re- turn to their southern homes in the win- ter). Will communal spaces be open for holiday celebrations and family get-to- gethers? Will health conditions of indi- viduals be assessed before being allowed you will likely opt to keep your holiday ac- access to certain spaces or events? If pools tivities as close to home as possible, rather movies from home and health clubs and other leisure ame- nities are open, will their procedures for risk for both oneself and the population use change as more residents return for at large. In fact, staying at home, with a which manages properties throughout the the winter and/or host friends and fam- ily with expectations of using them? Each perhaps a fastidious ‘pod’ of close associ- building or community must take its own ates, is the safest way to spend the holi- population, risk factors, policies, and res- ident feedback into consideration when wide health threat. addressing these questions. No matter what rules an association tions for holiday activities that pose the with the regular holiday fare, residents are or cooperative board puts in place, says lowest risk to individuals in terms of adding lights and displays with messages Marks, the earlier it informs residents of coronavirus contagion, and they can be like ‘Together Apart’ and similar senti- them, the better. People need to make enjoyed by any household, whether an ments. With the idea of “ending this year plans and communicate with their guests, apartment, condo, co-op, townhome, or on a celebratory note,” households and too. No one should be surprised by a new single-family residence: visitor policy or a new tennis court regu- lation, especially in the middle of the hol- idays. “It is a really challenging balanc- ing act,” says Marks of both the condo’s for loved ones and neighbors, especially public-facing decorations in and around and the city’s attempts to institute safety those at higher risk of severe illness from residences can promote such activities precautions while allowing residents to COVID-19, and deliver them in a way “We’re doing what we can to lighten spir- its and give people diversions.” Activities with Lowest Risk If you are following the advice of the or shop locally on days other than Black CDC and most other medical authorities, Friday than traveling, which poses coronavirus limited number of household members or southwest, mentions that communities in days while the virus still poses a world- The CDC has provided recommenda- • Have a small dinner with only people social media with hashtags like #Corona- who live in your household • Prepare traditional family recipes • Have a virtual dinner and share reci- pes with friends and family • Shop online rather than in person, • Watch sports events, parades, and Deck the Halls Spectrum Association Management, the area have started decorating early “to kick off the last quarter of the year in ef- fort to lift spirits, maintain a sense of nor- malcy, and create community.” In addi- tion to festooning their homes and yards communities are sharing their displays on Kindness and #ChristmasLights. Co-ops, condos, and HOAs that allow Prepping for the Holidays in a Pandemic Co-ops, Condos, & HOAs Create Cheer, Even in Crisis BY DARCEY GERSTEIN continued on page 24