CHAPTER RETREATS

As chapter retreat season is upon us, please be reminded that all sorority operations continue to be virtual without exception. Chapters have shared exciting plans for virtual chapter retreats. Please be reminded that the virtual mandate means that chapter members, regardless of your office, position or role in the planning and execution of your chapter retreat, are not authorized to gather in person for any purpose whatsoever, including chapter retreat planning and execution. We would like to highlight the ways in which chapters are continuing to exemplify virtual excellence in their chapter retreats as they make plans to carry out the International Program for 2020-2021. Photographs may be submitted to virtualexcellence@aka1908.com. Include your chapter name, Basileus and a description of the activity highlighted in your submission. Thank you for your commitment to exemplifying virtual excellence.

CHAPTER OPERATIONS

As COVID-19 cases spike around the country, the Directorate has made the difficult decision that Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue to operate in a virtual mode through the end of the year. Many chapters have fully complied with this virtual mandate and operated completely virtually as mandated. We continue to see too many chapters, however, that have not heeded the virtual mandate. Sorors are reminded that virtual mean no in-person activities, programs or events no matter how well-intentioned the service project or activity, how few sorors there are or how effectively you plan to social distance. In-person gathering in any context for any reason is not authorized and is a violation of the virtual mandate. The expanded Pandemic Guide to Virtual Chapter Operations was released as an additional resource to supplement the previously-released Guide to Conducting Virtual Chapter Meetings and the AKA Virtual Program Activities guide in order to assist chapters as we continue to operate in a virtual environment. Thank you for your understanding and adherence and for exemplifying virtual excellence!

RISK MANAGEMENT/FACE MASKS AND COVERINGS

Alpha Kappa Alpha implores sorors to continue to adhere to the CDC guidelines regarding the use of masks and face coverings. We encourage sorors and chapters to donate N95 masks to healthcare professionals who continue to be in need of those protective medical masks. We also applaud sorors who made face coverings for personal use or to be shared with family members, close friends and sorors. Please refrain from placing the sorority crest or any other Alpha Kappa Alpha marks, brands or insignia on face masks and coverings. Please also help protect the Alpha Kappa Alpha brand by refraining from purchasing any type of Alpha Kappa Alpha-branded face coverings or masks from vendors as this merchandise is not authorized for sale by our Corporate Office. Face coverings and masks are not authorized to be made and/or distributed in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. We thank you for your cooperation and adherence. Remember, each of us is a risk manager and must do our part.

MEMBERSHIP INTAKE PROCESS

Due to the continued risk to the health and safety of our members posed by the deadly virus and troubling trends, including an increase in the national daily total of deaths which has exceeded 1,000 for the last two (2) weeks, the postponement of Member Intake will continue until further notice. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we prayerfully consider when and how to safely resume programs and operations, including Membership Intake.

Thank you for joining our weekly Day of Prayer calls since March. Our designated weekly corporate prayer time is 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Let us continue to pray for families impacted by COVID-19, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers, our sisterhood, this nation and our world. Please also pray for wisdom and compassion for national, state, and local leaders as they continue to make important decisions regarding safely re-opening of our communities, businesses and schools. We also must continue to pray for our communities and for justice and equal protection under the law for African Americans in this country. Sorors, let's continue to remain prayerful.

RELAXING STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS

How do I protect myself and my loved ones as restrictions are lifted?

Keeping Safe (Tips 9-16)
Jessica Dolcourt (CNET Health & Wellness)

As coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease and cities reopen around the world, it's a good idea to think about how you'll keep yourself and your loved ones healthy during a prolonged period. Here are things you should think twice about doing as lockdown and quarantine end.

9. Set aside your reusable tote bag.

Increasingly, store policy excludes you from bringing outside tote bags and other bags into grocery stores. If you want to lessen your environmental impact, find ways to reuse the store's fresh bags at home.

The stores I shop at continue to make baskets and carts available, and only some offer sanitary wipes. Others have assigned gloved staff to wipe down carts and baskets for you with disinfectant, before you shop. Others still are spraying your hands with disinfectant before you enter a shop.

Regardless, it's a good idea to thoroughly wash your hands with hand soap before you leave home to protect others, bring your own sanitary wipes if you have them and the store doesn't offer that option and be sure to wash your hands when you get home. Really, we can't stress that enough.

10. Don't sort through produce with your bare hand.

At a time when face masks are increasingly common in stores and shoppers will give you the side eye for rummaging through lemons, here's a little advice: Don't poke the bear.

When sorting through food, use a glove or stick your hand inside a fresh, store-supplied bag. Then you can use the outside like a glove to pick up and inspect the garlic and bananas you want, so as not to touch every item with your bare hands. It'll make others feel more comfortable and is just as likely to inspire them to follow suit.

11. Whatever you do, touching's off limits.

Look, if they don't live in your household, don't touch them. Most of us are observing this dictum by now, but on the off-chance you see a friend or family member, resist the urge to hug, tap elbows or get anywhere closer than six feet. Air hug if you must. Blow a kiss (minus the actual exhalation). Here are 13 clever and satisfying ways to safely greet someone that keeps you and loved ones safe.

12. For food and package delivery, embrace the awkward.

Keeping your distance means that you'll need to get comfortable speaking through closed doors and hanging back rather than rushing forward to help the person delivering you packages, mail and food. For example, if you happen to be outside, it's not rude to let the mail carrier walk all the way up to the front door and place the mail in the box rather than take it directly -- it's appropriately cautious for the times, and helps protect you and them by keeping your distance.

Equally, if a food delivery person or neighbor drops something off, give a warm thank you through the closed door and wait for them to recede six feet before opening to door to thank them again and wave. They'll appreciate your consideration and seriousness

13. Don't neglect your car and home.

After getting back from running errands, it doesn't hurt to wipe down your car and surfaces in your home, especially if you share it with others. Person-to-person contact is the most common vector, but viruses and bacteria do spread through objects and other forms of indirect physical contact. Here's our guide for sanitizing your home and car.

14. Carry extra napkins, disinfecting wipes and facial tissue.

Packing extra tissues, disinfecting wipes, wet wipes and other paper products in my purse is already part of my habit, but now I pay extra attention to how much paper I have on hand.

Normally, I might use a spare napkin to wipe my hands after an impromptu snack (also in my bag). Today, these products could come in handy to clear away germs, or act as a barrier between you (or your phone) and a surface. For example, opening a door handle if you just saw someone cough into their hands before turning a knob.

15. Stop handling cash.

While it's believed that the highest risk of acquiring coronavirus comes from person-to-person transmission, we do know that shared surfaces can harbor the virus. Play it safe by setting the cash aside for now and relying more on contactless payments. Some businesses are even refusing to take cash as a safety measure for employees.

A large number of payment terminals accept Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and credit cards with the contactless logo on them. And remember, if a digital signature is required, you can use your knuckle instead of your index finger. For a physical signature, start packing your own pen.

16. Banish questionable items to a long time out.

Coronavirus can cling to surfaces, such as your jacket or a tabletop, for up to nine days at room temperature, studies have found. However, the CDC found that the coronavirus RNA remained in cabins about the Diamond Princess Cruise ship up to 17 days after passengers departed.

We know that a thorough cleaning with good ol' soap and water will kill the virus's structure, but if you're not sure how to disinfect an item, like a dry-clean-only jacket or pair of boots, setting it aside for three or four weeks is another option.

TESTING

Should I be tested for COVID-19?

1. Who should get tested for COVID-19?

If you are experiencing any symptoms that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified for COVID-19, you need to get tested. Symptoms can appear two to 14 days after being exposed to the virus and can include: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose or stuffy nose, fatigue, recent loss of taste or smell. Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

In certain situations, it is recommended that you to be tested if you do not have symptoms if you are a healthcare worker, first responder, congregate care facility resident or staff (includes nursing homes, assisted living facilities, managed residential communities, correctional institutions), homeless, or living in communities at high risk. Some of these situations include being exposed to someone with COVID-19 without adequate protection or detection of asymptomatic spread during an outbreak.

2. What type of test should I get for COVID-19?

There are two types of tests to diagnose a person with current infection for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. They are: nucleic acid and antigen tests.

If you are having symptoms for COVID-19, or are not sick but have had unprotected prolonged close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should have a nucleic acid diagnostic test.

3. How do I get tested for COVID-19?

If you think you have COVID-19 and feel like you have symptoms, you should first call your primary care provider to talk about your symptoms. Many primary care providers are set up to test their patients on site.

Drive-up and walk-up testing is available at various locations in most cities, including some acute care hospitals, urgent care centers, community health centers and certain pharmacy-based testing sites, among other sites.

Notification Protocols

The integrity of sorority impact data is directly tied to the information collected. Who should I notify?

• Notify your Chapter Basileus if you test positive for COVID-19.
• General Members should notify your Regional Director if you test positive for COVID-19.
• Undergraduate Members should notify your Graduate Assistant if you test positive for COVID-19, and the Graduate Assistant will notify the Basileus of the supervising Graduate Chapter.
• Chapter Basilei should notify the Regional Director.
• Inform your Chapter Basileus if you have been in close contact with other chapter members or sorors and where the contact occurred.
• Chapter Basileus will notify only sorors who are at risk for possible exposure without divulging the infected soror's name.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to regularly monitor their symptoms and immediately notify their doctor if they become symptomatic.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to quarantine themselves and STAY AT HOME for 14 days to stop the spread of the virus in the event they become symptomatic and test positive.

How has COVID-19 affected Alpha Kappa Alpha?

Visit https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ for up-to-date worldwide COVID-19 statistics.

RECENT EVENTS

Memorial Tribute for 24th Supreme Basileus Eva L. Evans

Thank you for tuning in to the Memorial Tribute broadcast for our beloved 24th Supreme Basileus, Soror Eva Lois Evans. More than 40,000 sorors tuned in for this special celebration. Pink Tea Roses are extended to the Memorial Tribute Committee under the leadership of Soror Carrie J. Clark, Great Lakes Regional Director. Special gratitude also is extended to Soror Nikoji (Nikki) Smith, Great Lakes Region Social Media Chairman; Soror Lisa Smith, Great Lakes Region Communications Chairman; and Soror Rukyia McClain, South Eastern Region Social Media Chairman. View the Memorial Tribute here. The Memorial Tribute magazine-style program is attached for your viewing. You also may download the printed program by clicking here.

"This Is A Serious Matter" Town Hall: What's Next

Our third installment in the "This Is A Serious Matter" Series moderated by our very own Soror Star Jones was held on July 22. We were honored and proud to feature the Alpha Kappa Alpha congressional leaders whom we affectionately refer to as the “AKA Delegation” in this timely discussion about "Taking Our Seat at the Table." The Alpha Kappa Alpha members of Congress include: Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA); Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX 30th), Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 8th),Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL 7th), Representative Frederica Wilson (D-FL 24th), Representative Alma Adams (D-NC 12th), Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D- 12th), and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL 14th). Click here to see a replay of the Town Hall. Alpha Kappa Alpha is grateful to these dynamic public servants who represent their constituents and Alpha Kappa Alpha well and serve this nation with honor, integrity and a firm commitment to ensuring justice, equality and opportunity for all Americans.

Soror Glenda Glover
Supreme Basileus

Soror Joy Elaine Daley, International Regional Director (Chairman)
Soror Kimberly Esmond Adams, Special Assistant & Risk Management Task Force Chairman (Co-Chairman)
Soror Danette Anthony Reed, First Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Jasmyne McCoy, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Cynthia Howell, Executive Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Soror Martha Perine Beard, Chief of Staff to the Supreme Basileus
Soror Ora Douglass, Program Committee Chairman
Soror Cynthia Finch, MIP Committee Chairman & Healthcare Professional
Soror Jasmine Adkins Moore, Disaster Relief Committee Chairman
Soror Kasey Coleman, Leadership Development Committee
Soror Carol Dixon, Corporate Strategic Partners Committee
Soror Kaylen Long, Membership Committee
Soror Hollye Weekes, Program Committee