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We write to you with an urgent request to contact your Durham elected officials about the new COVID-19 variant, omicron. 

Over the holidays, tens of thousands of North Carolinians caught omicron — including many People’s Alliance members. Although it may be less dangerous than earlier variants for vaccinated people, it still poses a serious public health emergency. Hospitalizations are on the rise, and our systems are under strain.

Our Durham officials can and should take action to increase access to quick testing and high-quality masks in our community, making use of leftover funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. We encourage you to use the below letter to reach out to our Durham officials via email at [email protected] and [email protected].

Sincerely,

The People's Alliance Board

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Sign-on Letter to Elected Officials

Dear [Elected Officials],

Over the holidays, a new variant of COVID-19, omicron, spread rapidly in our Durham community – as well as around the state and country. In North Carolina, the daily percent positive rate has shot up to 31.2%, with 28,474 new COVID cases reported on January 7. 

While there are reports that omicron may be less severe than earlier COVID-19 variants – especially for vaccinated people – it is still a public health emergency. Hospitalizations are on the rise. 

We are grateful that Durham maintains a mask mandate, including in our public schools. This is a crucial measure for safety. But there is more that our city and county governments can do to protect our community. 

For instance, we urge that Durham implement:

• Added drive-up testing sites like Wake County, NC
• Rapid testing simultaneous with PCR testing like Orange County, NC
• Distribution of at-home tests like Washington, DC
• Distribution of free high quality masks (there is emerging evidence that cloth masks are useless against omicron)
• Requiring surgical or medical masks in public schools
• Adding positivity rates and hospitalization information to the Durham COVID dashboard

In Durham, we are proud of our high vaccination rate and our commitment to take care of one another. 

Let’s take quick action to confront omicron!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

People's Alliance
http://www.durhampa.org/