Health at the Community of Writers

The Community of Writers is delighted to meet in person again this summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has largely subsided. Still, we continue to guard the health of our community and are committed to protecting the health of our on-site participants, teaching staff, employees, and visitors. The protocols of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Placer County, CA, will be our guide going forward.

We encourage every individual to make informed decisions about attending our events in the best interest of their own health as well as the health of others. Because attending requires some contact with others, please consider that many of the most treasured members of our community might have preexisting health conditions who are more at risk of developing complications from infection.

We ask that attendees be up-to-date with vaccinations and boosters, and of course stay home altogether if they are experiencing symptoms or have a positive COVID test. Participants and staff will be asked to take COVID at-home tests before traveling to the workshop. We need to require that you stay home if you are experiencing symptoms or have a positive COVID test. This protocol has been successful for the last several summers, as we had no transmission of COVID at the workshops.

During the week of the conference, we don’t plan to require masking, but this may change depending on local circumstances.

We may hold morning sessions and group meetings outdoors under shade tents, when possible. There will be fans and portable air purifiers on site, and masks will be available. We will keep our attendees notified as things change.

  • All CW teaching staff and admin working on site will have been fully vaccinated.
  • All participants, when applying online, will have confirmed that they are vaccinated, though no proof will be required.
  • All attendees, whether admin, teaching staff, guests or participants will be required to present proof of a negative COVID test before traveling to the conference.

While we will be taking these precautions, we cannot guarantee zero risk. A risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public setting. By entering the venue and CW-arranged housing, participants, staff, and attendees accept the possibility of exposure and knowingly waive and release the Community of Writers from any liability or financial refund related to COVID-19.

We will reassess this policy on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to change, adopt, and enforce safety measures as needed.

Failure to comply with safety procedures outlined now or in the future by management may result in your removal from Community of Writers events, housing, venue, and activities.

In the event that a participant tests positive for COVID-19 during the workshop week, they should inform the administrative office, their housemates, and their workshop fellows, and, if they are staying in the resort lodging, the front desk. The participant will be asked to avoid contact with all participants and staff, which would mean not attending workshops, dinner, or afternoon events. The Community of Writers will inform the group at large of the transmission, and will work with the affected participant to arrange alternative lodging, if necessary. CW will do our best to care for sick participants according to their wishes, including providing meals, advice, and rides to medical visits, until arrangements can be made to travel home.