Lincoln College Reinstitutes Mask Policy Following CDC Guidance

 

[August 03, 2021] 

Lincoln College is updating current COVID-19 guidelines for campus, effective August 2, 2021.

On July 27, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance to prevent further spread of the Delta variant. The agency recommends that everyone, including vaccinated individuals, mask in indoor settings in “areas with substantial and high transmission.”

All members of the Lincoln College community will be required to wear face coverings in all campus facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required in on-campus residence halls.

Face coverings should be worn in all shared or public spaces such as common work areas, hallways, classrooms, restrooms, dining facilities, McKinstry Library, Lincoln Heritage Museum, and while attending events or athletic competitions. While working alone in a private office, or while outdoors where physical distancing is possible, face coverings may be removed. Student-athletes will not be required to mask while actively participating in school-sponsored competitions.

Lynx have a shared responsibility in protecting one another. As such, student behavior expectations for mask-wearing is available in the Student Conduct Handbook.

Lincoln College encourages members of the campus community and campus visitors to be vaccinated.

“Receiving the vaccine is the best way for our students and employees to protect themselves and the Logan County community against the virus,” said Lincoln College President David Gerlach.

Only 37.5% of Logan County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to 48.6% of the United States’ population. Logan County is currently considered a high transmission area for COVID-19.

According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

“Lincoln College plans to offer several incentives in the coming weeks to encourage student and employee vaccination,” added Gerlach.

In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health partners, Lincoln College will continue to adjust operations accordingly to protect the campus community. Policies may continue to be adapted and amended as conditions change.

With the safety and welfare of Lincoln College and the Logan County community remaining a top priority, the institution is excited to resume in-person instruction this month.

[Lauren D. Grenlund]