Dear CCA Community,

I write today to share my concern for our CCA students, faculty, staff, families, and friends as COVID–19 cases surge in California, across the country, and around the globe. The pandemic that upended our world early last spring has loomed large for many months now, and has affected all of us. Currently, our state is experiencing the fastest increase in cases since the pandemic began, and nearly every county—including here in the Bay Area—is pulling an “emergency brake,” as California Governor Gavin Newsom put it, reimposing restrictions to help limit the spread of the virus. Many other regions of the country have been hit even harder. 

As we head into Thanksgiving week, when many of us will want to be together with friends and family, I urge everyone to remain vigilant and double down on the actions needed to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. Wear a mask. Maintain social distancing. Wash your hands frequently. And please, resist the temptation to let your guard down or gather indoors with people outside your immediate household. Help create the culture of care and consideration that will be necessary through these next difficult months to get to the other side of this pandemic.

There is reason for optimism. In the past week, two pharmaceutical companies announced that vaccines currently in development have been highly effective in advanced clinical trials, and others are likely to follow. While there are still obstacles to overcome and widespread vaccination remains months away, this is real progress, and it offers hope as we continue planning for a phased return to campus (watch your inbox for an update on spring 2021 that will go out later today).

But we’re not there yet. So please, stay safe, stay disciplined, stay distant. Care for one another now, so we can all be together again in the future. 

Take care,

Steve