{"id":494,"date":"2022-02-25T16:15:31","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T23:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/emailarchive\/?p=494"},"modified":"2022-02-28T17:50:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T00:50:31","slug":"moving-toward-mask-optional-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/emailarchive\/2022\/02\/25\/moving-toward-mask-optional-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving Toward Mask-Optional Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dear CC Community,<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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We are encouraged that COVID-19 transmission levels in the county and on campus continue to decline. At an incidence of 97 new cases per 100,000 per week and a positivity rate of 6%, El Paso County<\/a> is still experiencing substantial transmission levels but is approaching lower risk levels. We see a similar trend among the CC community, with currently 26 new weekly infections, down from 70 one week ago. Now, we are less likely to encounter the virus when we are out and about than we were in J-Block and Block 5, and we are moving toward a generally lower risk environment.  <\/p>\n

In addition, nearly 99% of our students and 97% of employees are fully vaccinated, providing an additional layer of protection for our campus community. <\/p>\n

Updated CDC masking guidance<\/a> announced today recommends indoor masking in areas of \u201chigh risk\u201d and mask-optional in areas where risk is \u201cmedium and low.\u201d Under the CDC’s new risk metrics<\/a>, an area is deemed \u201chigh\u201d risk if it has concerning levels of COVID hospital admissions and hospital capacity taken up by COVID patients. While guidance has not yet been given for institutions of higher education, the CDC website indicates that this guidance will be updated to align with the new guidance for the general public.<\/p>\n

We are not making changes to our masking policy today. However, because El Paso County \u200bfalls in the \u201cmedium\u201d risk category, we will move to a mask optional policy next week <\/strong>if infections among the CC community remain well-controlled. Please look for an announcement next week.  <\/p>\n

We acknowledge that feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and relief may accompany this shift in masking. The CC community has come together throughout this pandemic and shown care and compassion. We invite you to navigate this next phase of the pandemic together and continue to support and care for one another as we adapt to changes. The shift to mask-optional will be a welcome change for some and cause for concern for others, for a variety of important reasons. When masking becomes optional, we encourage you to adapt at a pace that feels comfortable to you. <\/p>\n

In the spirit of a gradual approach, when we move to a mask-optional policy:  <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n