tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270551723544134519.post2872985739142682365..comments2024-03-26T14:26:47.974-04:00Comments on Adventures In Storytime (and Beyond): Coronavirus Continued - Flatten The Curve; Close Your Library!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13857185361354967198noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270551723544134519.post-9146650497379806102020-03-18T14:35:25.945-04:002020-03-18T14:35:25.945-04:00I sent this to ALA today. Again, these are just my...I sent this to ALA today. Again, these are just my opinions, but I believe in erring on the side of an abundance of caution, and though it's too early to be sure, it seems that the aggressive measures taken in my state (KY) may be slowing the spread.<br /><br />"I would greatly appreciate your reading this, and passing it on to those in leadership positions, who can give the many library employees (and their communities) still being subjected to unnecessary risks a voice.<br /><br />I say this as library staff member, a library trustee, and a former research microbiologist. I have a masters degree in microbiology, and in my former career worked in infectious disease research, including doing work for Tony Fauci's group at NIH. I have the benefit of this education and experience, and can better understand this pandemic, and the risks some libraries are taking than most people. I have been following reports from Europe closely, and this is a real crisis, especially considering it seems there is a new variant strain that is much more lethal.<br /><br />I was so glad to see the ALA press release yesterday urging libraries to close and send staff home, with pay (though it should have come out at least 48 hours earlier). However, despite this I have learned of many libraries still staying open, forcing even high risk staff to continue to work or use vacation days. Other libraries are closed, but still making staff come in to work, often still circulating physical materials through drive-through windows, curbside pickup, or home delivery.<br /><br />This needs to stop! Every interaction is a risk of viral transfer, and people are contagious and shedding virus before they ever show symptoms and realize they are sick. These practices are needlessly contributing to viral spread and endangering staff and patrons. Any risk for non-essential goods and services is too much in this situation, and as passionate as I am about about libraries and everything we do, in a pandemic crisis physical materials and open libraries are most definitely non-essential. The essential things right now are food, water, shelter, health and safety.<br /><br />I published an article yesterday (http://www.adventuresinstorytime.com/2020/03/coronavirus-continued.html), and have had an overwhelming response in people contacting me to say their libraries are still open or still providing curbside service, or requiring staff to come in or take vacation time or unpaid leave.<br /><br />I strongly urge the ALA to put out another press release, with stronger, more concise language that says libraries should close, no physical materials should circulate (including curbside service), and all staff should be allowed to shelter in place at home with regular pay! And to continue to speak out, every day until these misguided, misinformed, or ignorant directors, board members, and/or city/county officials listen! <br /><br />Another consideration is that libraries have a responsibility not only to stop contributing to the spread of the virus and to protect their staff, but to model aggressive social distancing. Many community members will not take it seriously as long as the library is open to any degree. Libraries rarely shut down, so an extended and total library shutdown gets people's attention. Thank you."Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13857185361354967198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270551723544134519.post-14644316974085131752020-03-18T10:39:57.755-04:002020-03-18T10:39:57.755-04:00Though I know it creates a logistical nightmare, e...Though I know it creates a logistical nightmare, especially after libraries that have closed finally get to reopen, but yes, I would advise quarantine for returned materials. Unfortunately, I can't really say for how long with any real authority. As you say, no one knows for sure how long the virus can live on surfaces, only educated guesses. I would guess quarantine for a minimum of 4-5 days, but again, that is an educated guess, and I'm now sure how that would actually be managed from a practical and logistical standpoint. Just let me reiterate, my opinion is that NO physical materials should be circulating at this point.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13857185361354967198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270551723544134519.post-63240862815856185352020-03-18T00:00:44.417-04:002020-03-18T00:00:44.417-04:00My library did close for at least two weeks. Jen, ...My library did close for at least two weeks. Jen, I’m curious as to your thoughts about whether returned library materials need to be quarantined before staff handle them due to not knowing how long the virus may live on some surfaces. I’ve tried to research this, including sending two messages to ALA which were not answered. Terri McD.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11930455440170363929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270551723544134519.post-66785044170065694382020-03-17T14:35:51.957-04:002020-03-17T14:35:51.957-04:00I completely agree! Our library closed, work from ...I completely agree! Our library closed, work from home option as much or as little as we like, fully paid. At home I am getting organized, got back-up groceries and over-the counter meds, and have made a schedule of meals (probably for the first time ever). Back to cooking, but also avoiding the cleaning lol. <br />Good luck to everyone! Wash your hands! Stay home and read!<br /><br />AnneKAnneKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08027251364918316107noreply@blogger.com