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AT happier valley comedy,
​Community safety is our priority
​

Symptoms
Please do not visit the theater if you have a fever and/or are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell, or at least two of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. For shows/workshops: Email us if you’re unable to attend an event due to illness, COVID exposure, or heightened risk, so we can process your refund if possible.

MASKING POLICY
SHOWS: Masks are currently required at all shows in the theater. Performers will be tested and unmasked.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS: Flexible Masking Policy is used for all classes and workshops. Current masking level will be noted on the door to indicate if masks are either Required, Recommended, or Respected.

WHAT IS FLEXIBLE MASKING? A flexible masking strategy allows for quick and easy response to changing information. For Flexible Masking events, a sign on the door of the theater and lounge indicates the current level of masking from one the following three levels:
  • REQUIRED: Masks must be worn at all times (unless eating or drinking in the Lounge.) 
  • RECOMMENDED: Things are feeling iffy, so we'd recommend masking. But it's optional.
  • RESPECTED: Masks are optional. We respect anyone who chooses to wear a mask for any reason. 

If attending a Flexible Masking event, you should be comfortable both masking and being in a room with unmasked people, as either option is possible depending on the current masking level. (You are always welcome to wear a mask.)

For example, if you start a weekly class with optional masking (Recommended or Respected,) you should also be comfortable wearing a mask if we move into Required level. Likewise, if you start class required to mask and it's determined to be safe, you should be comfortable being in a classroom with classmates who are unmasked if we move into optional masking (Recommended or Respected.)

You are invited to contact us to finding out the masking status before coming to the theater.

SETTING MASKING LEVEL: Masking levels are determined by the CDC Community Safety Level for Hampshire County, the type of event, localized case counts, and if there are multiple close contacts or confirmed cases within the HVC community.

what to do if you test positive
​or are exposed to covid


​if you test positive for covid
If You Test Positive for COVID:
  • Please email us to let us know. If you were possibly infectious while at HVC, we will inform anyone in the room with you that they may have had an exposure. You will NOT be mentioned by name or any identifying details to protect your privacy.
  • ​Do not come to HVC for at least 5 days after your initial positive test. After that, please follow the guidelines below for testing and symptoms before returning to HVC. 
  • ​REQUIRED: You must get a negative result on a rapid COVID test taken no more than 24 hours before coming back to HVC.  Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
  • ​If you were symptomatic: Five full days after positive test result or onset of symptoms, you may return to HVC as long as you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication,) do not have significant symptoms, and you've gotten a negative rapid test result no more than 24 hours before re-entry.
  • If you were moderately or severely ill, you must wait at least 10 days (and possibly 20) before coming to the theater as long as you have a negative rapid and no symptoms. 
  • If you were asymptomatic: Provided you test negative on a rapid test within 24 hours before your return, you may come to the theater 5 full days after your initial positive test. 
  • If your test result is positive and it's been fewer than 20 days: You cannot come into HVC yet. (If it's been more than 20 days and you're still testing positive, contact us before returning.) 
  • Masking: If you test negative but still have lingering minor symptoms, like a little cough or congestion, please mask strictly at HVC - including not removing it for eating or drinking - until all symptoms disappear. Your most considerate and cautious decisions around masking are appreciated.
  • We recommend following CDC recommendations to formally isolate at home for at least 5 days following symptom onset or date of positive test.
  • Day 5? Day 10? How do I know what day I'm on?: The date of your symptom or positive test is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms began or the positive test. This quarantine/isolation calculator may be helpful. 
  • Take 5 Good Breaths. This is what vaccines are made for! Also, drink lots of fluids, get rest, and we hope you feel better soon!​
Free testing is available at CVS, Walgreens, and more options here.  Most insurance companies cover 8 free rapid tests each month at CVS or Walgreens. You must get a negative result before coming to the theater after having or being exposed to COVID.

if you have a close contact exposure
​If You Have Close Contact with Someone with COVID and You're Fully Vaccinations:
  • Take 5 Good Breaths. This is what vaccines are made for!
  • ​REQUIRED: You must be asymptomatic and get a negative result on a rapid COVID test taken no more than 24 hours before coming back to HVC. (If you visit HVC multiple times in the week following exposure, please test each time before coming in the theater for that week.)
  • Do not come in the theater if you have any COVID symptoms following known exposure, even just the sniffles. (With recent variants, it's common for symptomatic people to test negative for the first few days of having COVID.)
  • MASKING: Masks are strongly recommended for the week following exposure, even if you test negative and are asymptomatic. Your most considerate and cautious decisions around masking are appreciated.
  • Whether or not you return to the theater the week after exposure, experts recommend you get tested (PCR or rapid) 3-5 days  after you last had close contact with someone with COVID even if you don't have symptoms. 
  • “Close contact” refers to time you spent directly with an infected person. This means you were within 6 feet of an infected person for a collective total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period. The date of the last close contact is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after exposure to someone who tested positive. (More info on the CDC website here.)
  • If you test positive or develop COVID symptoms, you may not enter HVC for at least 5 days. Follow the “Test Positive” protocol above, drink lots of fluids, get rest, and we hope you feel better soon!​
Free testing is available at CVS, Walgreens, and more options here.  Most insurance companies cover 8 free rapid tests each month at CVS or Walgreens. You must get a negative result before coming to the theater after having or being exposed to COVID.

hvac/air exchange & other health measures

up-to-date VACCINATED STAFF
All performers, teachers, and staff are vaccinated against COVID-19. Performers are tested before each show and are not masked while onstage.

HVAC improvements
(to theater and classroom)
In 2021, we invested in significant improvements to the HVAC system to keep our community safer. These improvements were only made in the theater and classroom, not to HVC's Next Door Lounge.

In the theater, we invested in significant upgrades to our ventilation system, including a new ERV (energy recovery ventilator) which constantly pulls used air out of the space and replaces it with fresh air from outside. When running at full, all the air in the theater can be totally refreshed every 15 minutes! The energy cost of constantly heating/cooling fresh outside air is offset by the system running used air and new air safely past each other to share temperatures but not contamination (this is the energy recovery in the name). The benefits here should be clear, as the research shows the safest way to be indoors is to introduce as much fresh air as possible.

Additional upgrades also improve airflow by adding extra supply vents (where the air enters the space) in both rooms and also adding an extra return vent (where the air leaves the space) to the classroom. This change:
  • Helps keep both rooms the same comfortable temperature during classes
  • Prevents too much air from blowing onto any one spot in either room
  • Allows more used air to be constantly removed from the space

We also replaced the large return duct in the theater with a simpler, more efficient vent, and we put new HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in both return vents. This change:
  • Captures particles of all sizes in the air of the room, including bacteria, pollen, mold, and viruses
  • Reduces the overall noise of the system

Finally, we now have small air purifiers with their own HEPA filters in the classroom and theater bathrooms.

thank you for your cooperation, trust, and good will!

click here to email us with any questions or suggestions!

Your joy & ease is Our Mission

    Happier Valley Comedy, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that brings laughter, joy, and ease to Western Massachusetts (and the world) through the principles of improvisation. We serve up the happy through our training center, shows, and professional/personal development programs.
HVC is committed to using the tenets of improvisation as a tool to amplify each person’s authentic voice and creativity in an inclusive, welcoming community inspired and empowered by the diversity of all members.

HVC is committed to these core values:
Follow the Joy and Ease
Assume Good Will
Be of Service
Redefine and Disempower Failure
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Got Questions? Email Us!