Hi everyone, 

It feels like a lot has happened in the past week with the current COVID-19 coronavirus situation (now pandemic). It’s not really clear how individuals and communities should act, and in the face of conflicting information, MissImp are choosing to err on the side of caution and are adopting a practice of social distancing in hopes of helping to prevent the most serious effects of this outbreak. As of Monday 16 March we are suspending all MissImp activities and events for the next month. This includes all drop-ins, shows, workshops and classes.

We do not make this decision lightly, we know it impacts our members, venues and friends from farther afield too.  Our community is an important focus in many of our members’ lives, but as a diverse group whose members touch the lives of many others every day, we feel that this is the most proactive and effective way for us to take care of each other. We strongly suggest that teams take a similar break from rehearsals.

We see this as a postponement of activities, and look forward to being able to reschedule classes and shows as soon as possible. If later rescheduling doesn’t suit, please let us know and we’ll sort out refunds where we can.

Our current intention is to resume our events with a Gorilla Burger show on Thursday 16th of April (put back a week). This is of course dependent on advice, and circumstances at the time, and venue availability. Fingers crossed! Should we need to push events back further, we will. Similarly, if everything is miraculously dandy in a fortnight, we’ll look at reopening sooner.

In case you’re concerned, we’ve already contacted the venues we work most closely with, and those attending current courses.

Community Alternatives

We have an improv library, and if anyone would like to borrow books, please let us know and we’ll post ’em to ya! 

We’re looking at how we might organise watch parties and chats on Facebook and elsewhere during this unfun period.

Importantly – stay in touch! We know the Thursday drop-in is a primary social activity for lots of us, but we can still chat and hang out online in the MissImp Members Facebook group and elsewhere.

It’s far from clear what’s going to happen in the next weeks and months, but for those in Nottingham, we suggest you join the Nottingham Covid-19 Mutual Aid group on Facebook, set up by our John Morris. There will be folks who need your support, and this seems like a good way to do so.

NHS Guidance

We’d like to reiterate that people should follow the guidance available already: 

• Keep an eye on the official NHS guidelines, and call 111 if you think you may have contracted it! NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work (or y’know, a drop-in or course session!)
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Thank you all – stay safe, and stay in touch.

Ben, Emily, Liam, Marilyn & Nick