Libraries in the Santa Clarita Valley have a lot to celebrate this National Library Week, as they are set to reopen their doors to the public Tuesday after more than a year’s closure due to the pandemic.
“We thought it was a good tie-in to welcome everybody back, and the theme for National Library Week, this year is ‘Welcome Back,’ so it’s kind of fitting,” said Shannon Vonnegut, a librarian at the Santa Clarita Public Library.
With Los Angeles County entering the orange tier of the state’s blueprint, libraries have been cleared to reopen at 75% capacity, while also maintaining 6-feet of physical distance for customers, among other safety protocols.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Sunday confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 (U.K. variant), bringing the county’s total of variant cases to 14.
The U.K. variant is known to spread more easily and quickly than other variants and is circulating in the state and county.
In January 2021, scientists from the U.K. reported evidence that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.
It is crucial for everyone to keep at least six feet of distance from others and to wear a mask whenever around people that don’t live with them. These measures limit the spread of the virus and known variants and can reduce the likelihood of a surge in cases due to the variant.