Thin Blue Line

Blue Line Branding

I do my best to keep these posts as light and entertaining as possible, but I need to be very serious for a moment. This is not a pleasant post to have to make.

All of us are proud of our profession and many of us live in areas where law enforcement is still revered, celebrated and appreciated. One of our constant reminders of the sacrifices our brothers and sisters have made is identification with the Thin Blue Line. Many of us wear it proudly on shirts, or fly blue line flags at our homes. In fact, many Torch Run programs use the blue line imagery.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where that symbolism is not universally respected. When Greg Dawson and I were recently in Berlin, we became aware of the cultural divide this symbol can cause. It's even more dramatic than what some of you see in the United States or other locales. Bottom line, the thin blue line symbol is not respected in Germany in the same manner it may be in other parts of the world.

Now, none of us on the management side of this team will ever dictate what you can and cannot wear when you're "off duty," but we can provide you with what we know so you can make an informed decision.

During our recent trip, Greg and I did a little reconnaissance at local establishments in Berlin and our observations were that a tremendous number of young people flock to Berlin to enjoy the numerous watering holes and venues the city has to offer. Berlin also has a reputation for its young people being more than willing to voice their opinions in a variety of colorful and not always peaceful ways. 

All of this to say, if you have the opportunity to venture into the community and enjoy the many sites (not that we're going to have a lot of down time), it might be best to do so under the radar, so to speak. None of us want to see anyone become involved in a disagreement simply because of a symbol on their clothing.

Thank you for your understanding, and I'm always open to comments and questions.

 

COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR THE WORLD GAMES

The CEO of Special Olympics International, Mary Davis published fresh guidance concerning COVID-19 and its impact on the upcoming World Games yesterday.

She said:

As we approach the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, I want to take a moment to recognize the tremendous efforts and hard work put in by every member of our team to prepare for this incredible event. The amount of dedication, time, and resources that you have all invested into making these games a reality, is truly remarkable.

However, I also want to acknowledge the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for us to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Special Olympics International (SOI) both share the objective of creating an environment with an acceptably low risk of virus transmission. We want to provide an enjoyable experience for all delegations and other stakeholder groups while delivering a successful event.

Considering this, COVID-19 will be treated like any other contagious disease during the Berlin 2023 Games. As acting responsibly is the key to success, we strongly recommend that everyone attending the games is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and avails themselves of any available vaccine booster. Regular testing is also highly recommended throughout the games, even though there will be no mandatory testing in place.

Everyone attending the World Games is encouraged to take a test before travelling to Berlin as well as during their stay in Berlin. To prevent an outbreak, it is necessary to test as soon as COVID-like symptoms occur and inform possible contact-persons. Volunteers and the workforce will also have access to Test-Kits if needed (upon request / credential pick-up). In addition, COVID-19 Test-Kits are widely available to purchase all over Berlin, so everyone in need of a Test-Kit may visit a drugstore or local pharmacy (costs: €1-2 per Test-Kit).

Masks are recommended whenever they will add to individuals’ feeling of safety, especially when distancing is not possible, and sanitizer stations will be available throughout the games. We advise all participants to follow basic hygiene recommendations, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding physical contact.

We kindly request that you disseminate this guidance to sponsors, volunteers, and individuals traveling to the Games. Their involvement is integral to the success of the Games, and we want to ensure they are informed and prepared.

We are doing everything possible to keep everyone safe, and we encourage everyone to take their health seriously.

So - to summarise:

• COVID-19 will be treated like any other contagious disease during the World Games
• It is strongly recommended that everyone attending the games be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Everyone attending the games is encouraged to take a COVID-19 Test before travelling to Berlin as well as during their stay.
• Masks are recommended whenever they will add to the individual's feeling of safety.
• All participants should follow basic hygiene recommendations, such as washing hands regularly etc.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU

The advice provided by Mary Davis is clearly aimed at a wide audience - competitors, officials, spectators and of course the Final Leg team.  Nothing in the advice is mandatory - we have reached a point where the responsibility to act in your own best interests lies with you. 

I would ask that you consider bringing a couple of COVID tests with you so that you have easy access to a test that you are familiar with in the event that you begin to experience COVID or FLU like symptoms.  Please bring a mask with you - just in case you feel the need to wear one at any time during the course of the event.

If you are feeling unwell at any time during your stay in Berlin, please tell your Team Leader.

In the case that you don't bring tests or masks, we will be able to source them for you in the event that they are required.

Stay well and healthy