Masks Required Again In Solon Library

SOLON, OH — Anyone visiting the Solon Public Library will again have to mask up while browsing the books.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library system — which the Solon Public Library is part of — announced its revised masking policy on Tuesday morning.

"CCPL has consistently followed CDC guidelines and made the necessary decisions to help our staff, customers and communities stay healthy. With this in mind, we will return to requiring masks of all customers aged 2 and older upon entry of all CCPL branches. If a visitor does not have a mask, the Library will provide one," the library system said in an email to customers.

COVID-19 has seen a revived surge throughout Ohio and in Cuyahoga County. In early August, Cuyahoga County hit the CDC's threshold for "substantial" COVID-19 transmission, meaning residents should begin wearing masks in shared spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

The increase in cases and hospitalizations is attributable to the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the director of the Ohio Department of Health. The delta variant is more contagious than any previous variant of the COVID-19 virus, Vanderhoff said, and may be more harmful to anyone who contracts it.

"It is now more contagious than the common cold or the flu. It also appears to be more dangerous. People infected with the delta variant may have a higher risk of pneumonia or death," Vanderhoff said.

He recommended all eligible Ohioans get vaccinated and begin wearing masks in public.