This is an email that I sent on May 6th. It was at a low point in our nation’s response to COVID-19 and I felt like it was necessary.
“I have gotten a lot of emails, texts, and IMs asking the same questions: “When do we open? What are we going to do for Murph/classes/training?” Before I continue, I think it’s important to mention that I haven’t spoken to any two people who have felt the exact same way about the shutdown, the ramifications, and the current state of the world. As many of you know, this is not a black and white issue. There is plenty of nuance and peoples’ lives hang in the balance. Some people need to get back to work to make money and some people may become sick as a result. I would ask everyone, as we begin the process of reintegration back into both gyms, to think about others. Your opinion most likely does not match anyone else’s and your experience is just that, it is your own. My heart goes out to those of you who have been affected by the shutdown or the virus and I would ask everyone to give everyone grace and to keep goodness within your hearts.
I suspect that we will get more information in 10 days, but for now my understanding is that we can open on Saturday, May 16th. We will hold classes at both locations, however the times will be different. Class sizes will be restricted and we need to create a buffer between classes so there isn’t too much unnecessary contact. I don’t know how long this will last for. Verdant CrossFit North will operate in essentially the same fashion as before – there will be 5 classes a day. Verdant CrossFit will have a slightly truncated schedule. I’m still working out all the specifics because there are a lot of moving parts, but the goal is to run CrossFit, CrossFit Lite, and Zoom classes from Verdant CrossFit. I will send specifics as I establish them.
We WILL be running Memorial Day Murph at both gyms. We will need to run heats and I will send out an email that has sign ups that will allow you to join the heat you would like to be in. Every year we have had a hundred or more people and a kickass barbeque. This year will need to be different. I am aiming to arrange for other options.
I am very sensitive to the fact that many of you want to return to the gym as soon as possible and that many of you feel that it is perhaps not safe, yet, to return. As usual I am not really in either camp, my goal is to serve everyone as best as I can and to create the best avenue for success for each of you as possible. We will continue to coach online and in person for as long as we can and as usual you can expect transparency and regular communication from me.
Again, I would encourage all of you to move forward with love and care for everyone.”
[signature]
