David Fox Photography

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Health Policies and Resources

What

  • We care about your health, our health, and the health of our community. 
  • Under the guidance of our Health Safety Officer – Greta Fox, FNP-BC, David Fox Photography is following up-to-date, science-informed policies for the prevention of airborne diseases of public health concern, which may exceed current local and federal guidance.

Why

  • While the state of emergency (PHEIC) has been lifted, the World Health Organization continues to be very clear that Covid-19 continues to be a significant global health threat. As well, influenza and measles, like Covid-19, are airborne, and can be readily spread by individuals with minor or no symptoms. Influenza is mainly seasonal, but Covid-19 is a year-round threat with seasonal spikes.
  • The science is clear that while vaccination is one of many important layers of protection, vaccines alone are not enough. Immunity to Covid-19 wanes over time, and new, resistant variants continue to emerge. New influenza strains require updated yearly vaccination, and even vaccinated individuals can spread Covid-19 and flu. And measles infections wipe out acquired immune memory. 
  • Reports of community case rates are a lagging and undercounted indicator of the actual numbers, and fluctuations consistently outpace federal and local guidance updates.
  • Up to 50% of all Covid-19 cases result in Long Covid, including young, healthy, vaccinated people with mild infections, which ultimately impacts us all. Long Covid is associated with multi-organ system damage and disease, and a demonstrable increase in disabilities and deaths, and there is currently little help available in the form of diagnostics and treatments. According to Can-Stat, after three infections, even if mild, the risk of Long Covid is 38%. Although fewer people have adverse outcomes from their initial infections at first, the key is that as just HIV is the virus and AIDS is the disease, so SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) is the virus, and Long Covid is the disease.
  • The ongoing repeated cycles of easing protections before cases are truly low enough contributes to new variants which drive the yo-yoing of repeated surges which in turn promote more ongoing mutations.
  • We therefore continue to take steps to prioritize the safety and well-being of our families, staff, clients, and colleagues.

How

With a multilayered strategy, following the basics  – The 4 V’s:

  • Very Good Masks 

While hand hygiene is important, and will give you nice clean hands! it doesn’t stop airborne viruses. It is well-fitted masks, particularly respirator-grade masks e.g. N95s, KN95s and KF94s, or elastomeric respirators, which offer protection against airborne viruses, both indoors and in crowded outdoor conditions. David Fox wears a respirator at all times on location and in the studio. Our team is requested and empowered to mask. Some team members may have private needs, but staff masking is required if symptomatic* and when required by our clients. Learn more about selecting, wearing, caring for and sourcing reliable masks here .

  • Ventilation, Filtration and Air Sanitization

Covid-19, influenza and measles are airborne and highly contagious. They primarily spread when we “share our air” in indoor or crowded outdoor environments. Exhaled viruses can linger in the indoor air like smoke for hours after the source has left the room. Cleaning indoor air with adequate ventilation (HVAC), filtration (HVAC, HEPA) and sanitization (Far UV-C) to remove or inactivate viral particles is essential for reducing transmission by promoting good indoor air quality (IAQ). This is especially important in the post-mask-mandate environment while viruses are still circulating in the community. It should be noted that while enhanced IAQ greatly reduces disease transmission, even the best air-cleaning technology is not fast enough to prevent transmission in very close proximity to others, so masking still has its place. Our headshot studio uses HEPA and Far UV-C, and our policy is to confirm adequate venue IAQ whenever possible, using a simple checklist developed in consultation with engineering professionals and using a pocket C02 meter. 

  • Vaccination 

Based on reliable science, vaccination against Covid-19, influenza and measles is strongly recommended to our staff. Full reimbursement is offered for any that are not covered by insurance; some staff may have non-financial private needs for exemption.

  • Village

It takes a village effort to improve community care and safety! Staff is required under our honor system to test for Covid-19 if symptomatic or if there was a known exposure, and to call in for a replacement if testing positive, or if negative but unwell. Staff testing negative with mild symptoms* may choose to work in a respirator-grade mask. Consumer rapid-antigen testing has limited accuracy. It Is therefore considered just one of many layers, and is not adequate as a stand-alone mitigation.

Resources