Beginning on the 1st of May, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has set the Responsible RestartOhio plan in motion, allowing various businesses to reopen while reminding these that certain safety precautions should continue to be practiced.

These are: continue to wear face coverings, conduct daily health assessments of all employees, maintain good hygiene, sanitize workplaces daily, limit job site capacity and meet social distancing recommendations, and work remotely when possible.

DeWine has said that a working group of gym owners is creating a plan to reopen gyms in the state. In anticipation of this, the Wellness Center at Antioch College has begun to create its own plan for reopening. Currently, the Wellness Center has a hybrid model in place.

Angela Moore, associate director of the Wellness Center, explains that the current hybrid model includes the following:

“Some small in-person classes combined with a livestream or recording of some of these classes available for those who prefer to stay at home to exercise. These classes are included for those whose memberships are still active, including Antioch students. For non-members and those with memberships on hold, it is a $2 drop-in per class. Video links will be sent out to everyone who signs up for the class and will be available for use for 24 hours. Live-stream classes are held at the specified time and a link will be sent out 30 minutes before the class starts.”

To access and sign up for current virtual classes, follow this link to the Wellness Center page.

Further reopening of the Wellness Center will happen in phases with the first phase including the following elements:

• Masks must be worn in the lobby and locker rooms but are not necessary while working out.
• There will be hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and tissues made available throughout the facility.
• Accessing the locker rooms will only be permitted for changing outfits and for using the restroom.
• Work out equipment will be spaced out to allow for social distancing.

To ensure that employees at the Wellness Center are able to stay safe, Joshua Miller, Antioch Property Management Staff Member and Accomplished Woodworker, has created and installed custom protective barrier screens (“sneeze guards”) for the front desk, pictured below. “I had the lumber donated to me by a friend. It’s locally harvested ash. I had about 16 hours in it. I’m building one more for Wakka [Ciccone] in the mailroom, but I’m just painting hers black,” he says.

Angela adds, “It is important for people to stick with their Wellness routines and stay connected socially during this time. I look forward to a time when we can gather together again!”