HOA letter. WWYD???

[Anonymous]

My 17 year old is an EMT. He is exposed to everything. We don’t have a damn decontamination station outside. My sister is an RN on a COVID unit. They are careful, but certainly not crazy. They remove their shoes outside and then take a shower and wash their clothes. You aren’t returning from the moon. It’s not necessary to decontaminate yourself, OP. Team HOA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's actually better to leave your packages in the sunlight and elements.

THIS! Why would you want to be trapped inside a plastic structure with no ventilation while you remove clothing/mask etc that is throwing virus into the air? This is not smart. You'd be better off doing this outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of disinfecting do you do inside this thing? If it does not involve getting naked I fail to see the point of an enclosed structure. Why not create a similar area INSIDE the house?

I suppose there are theoretical scenarios where this would make sense but would have to convince me. Heck, you could even be containing virus inside the thing to ensure you get a complete dose any time you are in it.

This is no way implies I condone HOAs for existing, never mind their rules, but you wanted to live in a place where there is a HOA.

Basically it’s:
—remove clothes and shoes
—put clothes in garbage bag to go inside to be washed
—spray shoes with Lysol
—put packages to sit for a few days or wipe them down
—hand sanitizer
—wrap self in clean towel and go inside to shower

I hadn’t thought about how the virus could actually be concentrating in there. That’s a worrisome point you bring up. Maybe if we put a fan to blow the air outside?

OR just do all of this outside? (except for the getting naked part). Your house has better ventilation than this contraption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you do this process every time you go outside? Or just after the store?

Just after the store.
We can’t use our garage for this— it’s full of stuff from a hobby we do— and I’m not putting plastic sheeting in my foyer. This is the solution that works best for my family. I really DGAF if our neighbors see our nude silhouettes.

OP, please, I beg of you...I have to know what your hobby is.

You probably haven’t heard of it— it’s live action role play. We build and store the costumes in our garage.

This thread is only getting better. Please keep going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Famous troll, the addition of LARPing has pushed this to the next level. Truly A+ effort.

Yep. Had me until that post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Famous troll, the addition of LARPing has pushed this to the next level. Truly A+ effort.

Yep. Had me until that post.

Of course this is a troll, but, still entertaining.

OP, keep going. Folks need the distraction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First step, file an appeal. Explain that this is a temporary structure during the stay-at-home orders. When the governor reopens the state, you will take it down. This will buy you some time until the HOA can review the appeal and craft a response. They cannot do anything to you while an appeal is in process. By the time the appeal is processed and you have a response, the situation may change.

If the situation has not changed, then that means that it will still be a very long time until there are any LARP activities. Find another storage space for your LARP costumes for the duration of the pandemic response (where you will not be using the costumes) and move the disinfection station into the garage.

There is no time where you will need both the LARP costumes and the disinfection station. If you need the station, then there will be no LARPing. If you can go out LARPing again, then you won't need the disinfection station.

Best answer!
You sound like a lawyer pp, and I mean that in a good way.

I'm an engineer. We're the pragmatic ones. Everyone else can go and be anxious and indignant. We'll find a solution.

I happen to agree with the HOA on this, but I'm offering OP a solution that fits her unusual criteria and will also keep the HOA off her back.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a shower in this thing?

I know medical staff who don't go to this length.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 17 year old is an EMT. He is exposed to everything. We don’t have a damn decontamination station outside. My sister is an RN on a COVID unit. They are careful, but certainly not crazy. They remove their shoes outside and then take a shower and wash their clothes. You aren’t returning from the moon. It’s not necessary to decontaminate yourself, OP. Team HOA.

Sounds like what your sister is doing is the same at what the OP is doing. OP is just changing her clothes outside instead of inside. What is the big difference?

[Anonymous]

Is this OP really a troll? I posted a couple of times. Now I"m feeling foolish.

[Anonymous]

Geez. I bet your neighbors hate you and wish germs on you for this.

[Anonymous]

OP said we probably wouldn’t have heard of LARPing. Anyone see the thread where the poster said her daughter was going to a small school in Cambridge, MA? I swear that OP also said you probably haven’t heard of it (and I think it’s now deleted).

[Anonymous]

OP,

My husband and I are research scientists well versed in virology and microbiology.
We are taking great precautions, some of which have been decried on this site as insane.

You don't need a decontamination shed attached to your front door.

You can continue to do all the things you're doing, but inside your own house. The viral particles stick to surfaces, so please don't worry about bringing them in on clothing or grocery bags, because they won't go from there to the air in your house.

It IS a good idea to remove clothing for washing upon your arrival home after you've been in a store or workplace with others. It IS a good idea to decontaminate your groceries by leaving them 2-3 days in a cool, dark area and wipe down the perishables that need immediate refrigeration or freezing (viral particles remain active at cold temperatures).

Please do this in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Your husband is creative and handy! Congrats on that. But I worry that shed may actually cross-contaminate you! It's a confined space. I'm not sure how you're leaving your groceries in there for 3 days and taking clothes off, and all that, in a safe manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. There is an appeals process. I’ll have to look into it because we’ve never had an issue before.

To answer the questions— my husband built a frame out of 2 by 4s. It is about 8 feet long and attaches to the front door. Wrapped around the frame we have attached opaque plastic. Then there is a plastic door that hangs down to seal it off. When we enter the house we disinfect inside the structure. There is also a bin where we have told UPS to put deliveries. It’s honestly ingenious— my husband is great with this kind of thing.

WOW that sounds really ugly. I’m not surprised the HOA sent you a letter.

[Anonymous]

I was into it for a minute OP, but I'd rather hear about the live action role play gig.
Who's wearing the costumes? Where does this live action take place? Are we talking superheroes or Shakespeare? Fascinating. Do you make the costumes? Are you filing B rated horror movies in your garage? Are there dolls in there? Omg please tell me there's dolls or clowns.