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<p class="MsoNormal">Greetings!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released an updated recommendation document “Operating Schools Safely.”
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/COVID-19_Guidance_for_Operating_Schools_Safely_728838_7.pdf">
COVID-19_Guidance_for_Operating_Schools_Safely_728838_7.pdf (michigan.gov)</a> .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>While this recommendation is not directed at Michigan public libraries</b> (public libraries are not treated the same as schools for purposes of Covid-19 guidance), and is not a legal requirement, this document contains information that
can be useful to public libraries in determining local circumstances and risk with regards to Covid-19 and its variants. This recommendation document does a good job of explaining risk assessment as it pertains to Covid-19 in local communities and has links
to useful resources to assess that risk. Those resources and this information are not only applicable to schools.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Public libraries can utilize information in this recommendation to assist in assessing Covid-19 risk for purposes of determining programing and policies appropriate for their circumstances.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition to the K-12 school recommendation document, I have also linked to CDC resources showing community spread data by state
<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_community">https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_community</a> and county <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view">https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view</a>
. Michigan has been moved from “moderate community transmission status” to “significant community transmission” status. 44 counties in Michigan are at “significant” or “high” transmission status compared to less than 10 counties a week ago.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Libraries with questions concerning their community risk should contact their local Health Department
<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339--96747--,00.html">https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339--96747--,00.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a great day!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clare<o:p></o:p></p>
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