Thread by @shayshinecastle

COVID briefing underway. Here's the presentation from Boulder County Public Health: www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/Item_3B_-…

Things are looking better. Community spread down, vaccinations up, positive tests down, hospitalizations down.

"Half as many cases as this time last month," Lexi Nolen says.

Some Colorado counties not doing so well, Nolen says: Colorado has been in a surge that we're "coming out of" but "we still have some work to do."

In Boulder County, though, "we are declining quickly." (in new cases)

Hospitalizations are actually flat, not declining, but they're spiking in other counties. (And still generally declining from earlier in the year... it's just been flat over the last few weeks-month)

Hospitalizations, of course, will be THE measure going forward if we are to stay at Level Clear — which we we enter this week (May 16).

Level Clear = no gov't restrictions (except for an indoor mask mandate, which looks like it will be in place through early June) just GUIDANCE.

If we keep hospitalizations down, Level Clear will last through Aug. 16, when everything goes away.

Or, at least, that's the plan.

V high levels of vaccination in BoCo. About 70% of residents have received at least a partial course.

Vaccines for youth are starting to become available, too.

Some BoCo zip codes have over 85% vaccination, Nolen says.

Here are a couple slides on public health orders, which matter as we move into Level Clear this week: www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/Item_3B_-…

There's a statewide indoor mask order in place until June 2; Boulder County's lasts through June 4.

Trina Ruhland: In general in Boulder County, if you're in a public-facing, indoor space, you must wear a mask regardless of group size. (schools, restaurants, hair salons, etc.)

There are exceptions for "low-risk" settings like offices, etc: Places where people (i.e. members of the public) can't just walk in.

In THOSE cases, 9 ppl or fewer = no masks

Again, this is state guidance, Ruhland explains.

Young: Masks are not required for offices, unless they are public facing, with fewer than 9 ppl. What about when there are deliveries? Do ppl have to mask up for those? Does that make them public-facing?

Ruhland: Every office is going to have deliveries, but if you just have the person wait at the door, that's not public facing. But if you have deliveries 50X a day and people walking in and out, that would be public facing.

So, basically, use common sense. And keep in mind that it's kind to help protect other people whose jobs put them in (involuntary) contact with you.

That's all for this v short COVID briefing! @threadreaderapp please unroll. Thank you!