The Chillicothe Public Library is committed to providing essential library services while keeping the health and safety of our patrons and staff at the forefront of our minds. With community transmission and positive cases of COVID-19 being at very high levels, we need to be diligent in protecting ourselves and each other from COVID-19 and its variants.
What tools do we have to help protect us?
Vaccines:
Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.
- The CDC recommends everyone five years and older should be fully vaccinated.
- They also recommend that everyone over the age of 18 should receive a booster shot. For those who originally received Johnson & Johnson, they should receive their booster 2 months after the initial shot. Those who received Moderna should get their booster 6 months after their second shot, and those who recieved Pfizer should get their booster 5 months after their second shot.
For information on where to find a vaccine or booster, check vaccines.gov.
Masks:
Masks offer protection from all variants. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
Testing:
Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19. You should take a COVID-19 test if:
- If you are having any symptoms of COVID-19.
- If you have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Fully vaccinated people should be tested 5-7 days after their exposure, and unvaccinated people should test immediately.
Visit the Illinois Department of Public Health Testing Locations page to find a testing site near you.
What should you do if you test positive?
- Isolate at home regardless of your vaccination status.
- If you are not having symptoms, isolate for at least 10 days after a positive test.
- If you do have symptoms, isolate for at least 10 days as long as symptoms have improved, and no fever is present for at least 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications.
- Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you are more likely to get very sick as an older adult or due to underlying medical conditions, or if your symptoms get worse.
What does this mean for the library?
- Everyone over the age of two is required to wear a mask upon entering the library and when attending any indoor program, regardless of vaccination status.
- We will continue to provide masks in the lobby and hand sanitizer throughout the building.
- Attendance at indoor programs could be limited so that social distancing is possible.
For more information: