Dear Circus Center community,
As some of you already know, Circus Center very recently instituted a policy permitting verified fully vaccinated students to train without masks during certain times of day. Unfortunately, in light of recent developments in the pandemic, we are reversing course for now and requiring all students, staff, community members, and visitors to wear masks at all times inside our facility.
The rise of the Delta variant changes the risk mitigation equation. Delta is much more transmissible than previous versions of COVID. It prompts the body to produce, carry, and spread a much higher viral load, which translates into more serious sickness. And evidence from other countries and less vaccinated regions of our own country suggests that the Delta variant carries higher risks of infection and serious illness for children. Although San Francisco has very high vaccination rates, and the vaccines prevent serious illness, breakthrough cases are not uncommon, thereby creating more opportunities for community spread.
Our organization serves many children every day. As they are among the most vulnerable now in this pandemic, we must prioritize their health and safety. Although we mostly separate youth training times and spaces from adult training, the separation is imperfect, and instructors teach both populations constantly.
In addition to requiring masks at all times indoors, we are also taking additional measures to improve and test our ventilation regularly. Finally, please, everyone, WASH YOUR HANDS, and continue to wear a mask as much as possible indoors. We can get through this together, but only by taking action, not just for ourselves, but for the most vulnerable among us.
Courage,
Barry