Greetings from the Co-op. Last week we asked for feedback on our approach to masking: adopt a mask-optional policy once our county moves into the CDC’s low COVID-19 Community Level and only revert back to mask-required if the county goes back to the high Community Level. We received a favorable response from members (2:1 in favor) and employees (3:1) who took our survey confirming it makes sense to use this approach. Thank you to everyone who shared your input with us.

Fortunately, the COVID-19 situation appears to be improving locally. The CDC moved Washington County into their medium Community Level last night. Our county case rate has dropped rapidly to 77 per 100,000 population (well below the CDC high threshold of 200). The new COVID hospitalization rate is 10.9 (just above the threshold of 10). 

The CDC issues its Community Level reports on Thursday evenings, and when Washington County receives a low rating, we will go mask-optional the next day. Given this, the Co-op could go mask optional as soon as next Friday. Once we do, we will communicate using our e-newsletter and social media, along with signage at the Co-op.

Thank you for your patience and support, and see you at the Co-op.

Kari Bradley 
General Manager 
karib@hungermountain.coop 
(802) 262-3219