Greeting Folks –
As of the CDC’s latest Risk Assessment for our County published last night, we have risen to the HIGH Risk Level. You can see the excerpt from the CDC chart below for more in-depth information.
The federal government has approved a third round of FREE at-home test kits. If you haven’t already, please visit https://www.covid.gov/tests to get yours today.
We are fortunate here at DFAC, that we have such good building ventilation systems. Keeping fresh air circulating is one of the best defenses. What the new risk level means for us here at DFAC is we will start MANDATORY MASK WEARING INDOORS on TUESDAY, May 31st (please note that for Food-Service, in the Café and Food ARTS Studio, the rule is “Sit Down- Mask Down | Stand Up – Mask Up”). We need to continue all of the safety protocols we have in place: Wash our hands frequently, clean our spaces frequently and be especially careful if you personally are a high-risk individual, or live with a high-risk individual (SEE BELOW). This also means to remember, if you are not feeling well, DO NOT come to DFAC.
We will do away with mandatory mask wearing, if our County progresses to a MEDIUM RISK Level FOR TWO SUCCESSIVE WEEKS.
Stay safe everyone, and thanks for helping each other stay safe, healthy, and creative.
Please remember, you can always check the current risk level for our county on our website at: DFAC and COVID-19 – Our Guide to the Health & Safety of the DFAC Community – Dunedin Fine Art Center It is updated every Thursday evening.
If you have any questions, please ask!
CDC – COVID-19 Community Level
HIGH RISK
| High | Individual- and household-level prevention behaviors
– Wear a well-fitting mask1 indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings) – If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease – Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed – Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions (e.g., testing) – Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing) – Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies – If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease consider self-testing to detect infection before contact consider wearing a mask when indoors with them – Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters – Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible – Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 |
Community-level prevention strategies (as recommended by state or local authorities)
– Consider setting-specific recommendations for prevention strategies based on local factors – Implement healthcare surge support as needed – Protect people at high risk for severe illness or death by ensuring equitable access to vaccination, testing, treatment, support services, and information – Consider implementing screening testing or other testing strategies for people who are exposed to COVID-19 in workplaces, schools, or other community settings as appropriate – Implement enhanced prevention measures in high-risk congregate settings (see guidance for correctional facilities and homeless shelters) – Distribute and administer vaccines to achieve high community vaccination coverage and ensure health equity – Maintain improved ventilation in public indoor spaces – Ensure access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all people – Communicate with organizations and places that serve people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease to ensure they know how to get rapid testing – Ensure access and equity in vaccination, testing, treatment, community outreach, support services for disproportionately affected populations |
1 At all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.