Frequently Asked Questions

U.S.G.L. and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions to the COVID Response Team (CRT)


Q: What is a F.V.P.? How does U.S.G.L. define a Fully Vaccinated Person?


A: U.S.G.L. is adhering to the definition presented by the Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.), which defines Fully Vaccinated Person (FVP) as a person who is:

  • 2 weeks past their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or

  • 2 weeks past a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html


Q: You’re asking local masters to visually verify attendee vaccination status to hold FVP events or to allow FVP to not wear masks/distance. Isn’t that a HIPAA violation?


A: No. Businesses, employers, churches, and other organizations are allowed to verify if a customer has been vaccinated under HIPAA rules..


HIPAA's rules apply only to sharing information between certain entities, which only include health care providers, health plans and health care clearing houses, according to legal experts.


For Example:


"Alan Meisel, a professor of law and bioethics at the University of Pittsburgh, told USA TODAY at the time that HIPAA’s rules apply only to sharing information between 'covered entities.' The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services describes covered entities as 'health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically.'" – USA Today


A few sources for more information:

https://twitter.com/i/events/1395473467533713409


Q: What should I do if an attendee is medically contraindicated for the vaccine?


A: As you may know, there are a small number of adults for whom the currently available vaccines are medically contraindicated. These individuals will not have a vaccination card. The Master should request they provide written proof of inability to vaccinate. This may take multiple forms, depending on the individual’s situation. Again, do not collect, scan, photograph, photocopy, or otherwise capture an image of this PHI. Questions regarding proof of inability to vaccinate in specific cases may be directed to the overseeing S.G.I.G.


Q: I read the policy documents provided by the C.R.T. and I think my local body can do things differently and still be safe. In my proposal do I have to follow the U.S.G.L. documents to the letter?


A: No. The documents we have created are a guideline and in the ever-changing time of COVID they are expected to change and be somewhat flexible. If you have an idea for how your event can work based on your unique circumstances please share it with us! We will review and discuss your proposal, probably have a few questions for you and will do everything we can to come to a reasonable accommodation. We are here to get you to YES.


Q: For a FVP event Master's are required to submit attestation of vaccination status. Does that mean that they have to attend every event and view the vaccination proof personally?


A: Not necessarily. Master's may, at their discretion, delegate this task to a trusted local officer.


Q: Is Order-related travel still prohibited for members of U.S.G.L.?


A: Not entirely. Effective June 1, 2021 Order-related travel is no longer prohibited for Fully Vaccinated Persons.


Q: If a member or guest has had COVID-19 in the past, does that mean they don’t have to be vaccinated to attend a FVP event?


A: No. U.S.G.L. relies on the best available data and science. According to the C.D.C., recovering from COVID-19 is not equivalent to being fully vaccinated. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.htm


Q: I’ve been asked, as a representative of O.T.O., to write a letter stating that I have a religious exemption against having the vaccine. Is that something we can do?


A: No. It is the policy of U.S.G.L. Ordo Templi Orientis that we do not endorse religious exemptions for vaccine mandates.