Page 8 - NY Cooperator December 2020

8 THE COOPERATOR — DECEMBER 2020 COOPERATOR.COM Allcon TRENDS Th e holidays: a time for upholding long- standing traditions, usually involving festive in the next section.) gatherings of family and friends, communal meals, sacred services, gift exchanges, visitors, holiday destinations for out-of-state visitors, and, invariably, crowds—until this year, that of course, so communities in places like Flor- is. Th e coronavirus is forcing families and are going to handle an infl ux of guests, revel- communities to reconsider what, how, and ers, and vacationers when states’ viral counts with whom they celebrate in ways that have are surging and regulations for quarantining never before been addressed. For festivities and COVID testing change frequently. that occur in co-ops, condos, and HOAs, those plans will also have to account for new City of Aventura, Florida, as well as the Aven- rules and restrictions that associations and tura Marketing Council’s Chairperson of the corporations have adopted to keep their resi- dents, staff , and visitors as safe as possible as Association and board president at Th e Point the pandemic heads into another year. But in spite of the unprecedented challeng- es before them, associations and cooperatives fully in anticipation of holiday visitors as well are fi nding ways to imbue the season with as incoming ‘snowbirds’ (residents who spend spirit and celebration. It just might look a bit warmer seasons up north and return to their diff erent than it has in the past. Where the Weather Is Warm In localities where pleasant temperatures and family get-togethers? Will health condi- stick around for the holiday season, outdoor tions of individuals be assessed before being festivities off er communities a safer option for allowed access to certain spaces or events? If gathering than being indoors. Where six-foot pools and health clubs and other leisure ame- separation can be maintained, and provided nities are open, will their procedures for use that masks are worn properly by all attendees change as more residents return for the winter when they are not eating or drinking, a small and/or host friends and family with expecta- outdoor holiday gathering with people from tions of using them? Each building or com- outside one’s household is considered “mod- erate risk” by health experts, including the factors, policies, and resident feedback into Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consideration when addressing these ques- (CDC). (“Lower risk” activities are discussed Warm-weather locations are also popular ida and Nevada must also consider how they Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner of the Condo and Homeowners Board Members condo association where she lives, tells us that multifamily communities should plan care- southern homes in the winter). Will commu- nal spaces be open for holiday celebrations munity must take its own population, risk Prepping for the Holidays in a Pandemic Co-ops, Condos, & HOAs Create Cheer, Even in Crisis BY DARCEY GERSTEIN