03/15/2020
It is with a very heavy heart that I am informing you of my decision to suspend all activities at Inspiration Studios from today at least through April 8. Given how quickly things can change, I will continue to monitor the situation on a day to day basis and inform you of any updates to the planned schedule as soon as possible.
Anyone with valid class purchases and packs will have their expiration dates extended to make up for the studio closure time. Anyone currently signed up for a class during the closure will have their class credit returned to their account. If you have any questions or concerns, please email the studio at [email protected]. Given the high volume of emails lately, please be patient and kind with our team as we work to respond to everyone in a timely manner.
It is in the spirit of caring for the greater community that I am making the decision to temporarily close the studio’s doors. I cannot shake the feeling that continuing to offer the studio’s services is effectively encouraging my beloved studio family to actively take on risk by leaving their homes and increasing their contact with others, going against the social distancing that is recommended and necessary to slow down the spread of the virus.
I don’t enjoy the idea of self-quarantine any more than the next person does. Having been under officially mandated home quarantine before, I can tell you firsthand that it is not the easiest experience. Perhaps I carry my experience of living in Hong Kong and Taiwan during the 2003 SARS outbreak too close, but I have seen how scary it can be when a illness hits my home hard. Yet I have also seen how amazingly effective the community can be when everyone does their part, however inconvenient it may seem, to help mitigate the damage.
This virus outbreak is a big deal. The consensus among experts is that the number of cases is much higher than we think, and that many people are going undiagnosed, untested, and untreated. This virus can also spread while people are asymptomatic. It is not just about our own health, it is about the health of those we pass on the street, those who touch contaminated surfaces at places we frequent, those who unwittingly carry the virus back to someone they live with, someone who is elderly, immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable. This is not just a bad flu - it could easily be a death sentence for someone in our community.
I strongly urge all members of our community to stay home if you can, to best protect those of us who can’t. Wash your hands often and well, practice social distancing, disinfect commonly touched surfaces regularly, cancel in person social gatherings, stock up responsibly on necessary supplies, and stay safe.
Lastly, I want to announce that I will be starting the Inspiration Studios Community Support Fund, to organize donations that will then be redistributed to members of our community who will face financial hardship because of this virus. Please keep an eye out for more details in the next few days.
Thank you all for being the most fiercely compassionate and supportive community. I am so grateful for all of the students and staff who are part of the Inspiration family. Thank you for always reminding me that light never dies.
With love,
Renee
