The Durham Literacy Center is currently providing
in-person and remote instruction.
March 8, 2023
To: DLC students, volunteers, visitors, and staff
Re: Face masks recommended - change in policy
Starting Monday, March 13th, the Durham Literacy Center will be switching to a “masks recommended” policy, but masks are no longer required inside the building.
Staff, students, and volunteers are encouraged to continue wearing masks if they so choose. Wearing a well-fitting mask - such as a KN95 – protects the wearer from COVID-19 and other airborne viruses, even if others around them are not wearing masks, according to the CDC.
We want everyone to know that wearing a mask is not required, but it is still encouraged.
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If you feel sick, do not come to the DLC.
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If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, wear a mask for at least 6 days after exposure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently.
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Open the windows OR turn on the air purifier in classrooms to circulate air.
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Wipe down surfaces before and after instruction - wipes are in every classroom.
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Get vaccinated!
Please talk with a DLC staff member if you have any concerns or questions.
Thank you and stay well!
Lizzie Ellis-Furlong
Executive Director
(919) 489-8383, ext 22
NOTE: We may change our masking policy if Durham County's COVID-19 Community Level goes up again to Medium or High, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
If you have questions about the DLC's plans or how to register for classes, please contact us.
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How can I register for classes?To register for Fall 2021 ESOL classes, fill out this online form. Once you complete the form, a member of our ESOL Program staff will contact you to set up a testing appointment to determine your level and then assign you to a class. To register for our Youth Achievement Program, visit the YAP website and fill out the interest form. Once you complete the form, a member of our Youth Achievement Program staff will contact you with more information. To join the Adult Literacy program's wait list, please call the program's Google Voice number at (919) 213-0443 and leave a message with your name and phone number OR email the Adult Literacy Program Coordinator, Gardy Perard. No sure which program is right for you? Contact us!
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Why is the DLC providing remote-only instruction?The DLC will provide remote-only instruction until the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains below a “High Risk” level, and when DLC management decides it is safe to reopen. The DLC defines "High Risk" as more than 75 total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days, according to the CDC's county-level data for Durham County provided at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
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When will the DLC reopen for in-person instruction?The DLC will only consider reopening for in-person instruction if the COVID-19 transmission levels improve to less than 75 total new COVID-19 per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days. If COVID-19 community transmission improves, we anticipate opening our facility in a limited capacity to provide some in-person instruction, while also providing hybrid and remote instructional options for our students. This limited reopening will be directly informed by county-level data on total new cases and test percent positivity using the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
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Which health and safety recommendations will the DLC follow?The Durham Literacy Center is committed to doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone, including our students, volunteers, staff, and community members. We are following recommendations from the CDC, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Durham County Health Department, and other public health research including PreventEpidemics.org to inform our guidelines. By collecting information from all these sources, we will be creating our own DLC guidelines which may be more conservative than other agencies.
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I have questions about the DLC's COVID-19 protocols and plans. Who do I contact?You can send an email to covid19@durhamliteracy.org if you have questions about the DLC's health and safety plans.