COVID-19 Policies
Updated October 9, 2022
We’ve made it this far and are hoping to finish up the year by providing the safest workshop environment for everyone. Because we have people coming from all parts of the country for our last three workshops we will continue asking that you obtain a home Rapid Covid Test and test before you leave your home to attend the workshop. That can be 1-2 days before the start of class if you are traveling from out of town or the day of the workshop if you are local. Instructors and I will test a few days before workshops and let you know if our results impact holding the workshop.
You only need to test one time and should you pop up as positive for Covid you will receive a full refund on your registration.
Write your name and date on your Negative Covid test and zip me a photo of it via text or email when you have completed your test. You can reply to the class information email you will receive.
If you have recently recovered from Covid and would test positive and be out of the timeframe to be contagious, please email me with details, again replying to your class information email.
Updated June 15, 2022
As long as McCracken County is in “the red” regarding our Covid-19 Community Level, the following will be the Covid Protocol for classes lasting a day or more at Ephemera Paducah. Class of less than a day duration will dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Between now and the day of your class please obtain a Covid-19 Rapid Self-Test KIT.
- Test yourself the morning of class.
- Put your name and date on it with a Sharpie and either snap a picture of it and text it to Kristin (270-748-6348) that morning or bring the completed negative test with you to class if it is still within the viable period for showing results (@ 30 minutes).
- Fingers crossed, everyone is negative.
- If you test positive the morning of class, your registration fees will be refunded and you will not be participating in class.
- The Instructor will test midweek and on the day of class. If the instructor tests positive at either time, the class will be canceled and all will be refunded class fees. If a teacher tests positive on the morning of their class, if possible, we will try and accommodate with a “Studio Day” for students in the workshop.
- With everyone present testing negative, the wearing of masks during class is solely at the participant’s discretion.
- As long as the weather cooperates we will keep the patio doors open and air moving inside, we will use the overhead projector so you don’t have to hover for demonstrations and continue with what’s become normal cleaning and social distancing.
- If you have very recently recovered from Covid and would test positive but no longer be contagious, please email Kristin the details.
Thanks for helping to keep everyone safe.
Updated March 28, 2022
Using the CDC’s tracker of the impact of Covid-19 in our community, McCracken County is holding at a Medium Level. Based on this, students may mask if desired, but it is not required for anyone attending a workshop at this time.
Updated February 28, 2022
Unless otherwise stated in the workshop description, the policy is:
- If you are fully vaccinated and will show your vaccination card upon check-in, wearing a mask during your workshop is optional; your call.
- If you are not fully vaccinated and/or will not show your vaccination card upon check-in, you will be expected to wear a proper cloth or paper mask during your workshop. We do not provide masks.
- Unvaccinated shoppers are expected to mask while in the store.
- Anyone who teaches at Ephemera Paducah as well as our staff is vaccinated.
- Please don’t turn the staff or instructor into the “mask police.” If we have to ask you more than three (3) times to properly wear your mask, you will be considered to be in non-compliance with our stated mask policy, and be asked to leave the workshop.
- We are using the Covid-19 by County per the CDC to track our community level. We are McCracken County, Kentucky.
We will use the overhead projection system for demonstrations, clean each evening and throughout the day, make a workspace available outside, weather permitting, for anyone more comfortable with that environment, and take other precautions as necessary.
Thanks for your compliance!
Updated January 19, 2022
Please note before registering for class whether or not your visiting instructor(s) require participants to be fully vaccinated. It will be noted clearly in red near the checkout area of the registration page.
If not clearly noted, please check this page for the protocol for your workshop prior to the start of your class.
We will adhere to CDC, State and Local Guidelines for safely in workshops, Most likely that will include either masking for all or, at a minimum depending on the transmission rate of whatever variant is going around at the time, masking for those who choose not to show a vaccine card.
Check back in the 3rd week in February for March 2022’s protocol.
Updated November 11, 2021
As McCracken County’s Covid-19’s positivity and infection rates are dropping, and the availability of boosters and vaccines for children is becoming readily available, we will be dropping part of our mask mandate for workshops at Ephemera Paducah.
Teachers at Ephemera Paducah have the option of requesting “Vaccine-only” workshops and those are clearly identified on the workshop descriptions. Please take note before registering for class. All of our staff and guest instructors have been vaccinated.
Unless otherwise stated on the workshop description, the policy is:
If you are fully vaccinated and will show your vaccination card upon check-in, wearing a mask during your workshop is optional; your call.
If you are not fully vaccinated and/or will not show your vaccination card upon check-in, you will be expected to wear a proper cloth or paper mask during your workshop.
Unvaccinated shoppers are expected to mask while in the store.
We will still use the overhead projection system for demonstrations, clean each evening and throughout the day, make a workspace available outside, weather permitting, for anyone more comfortable with that environment, and take other precautions as necessary.
Thanks for your compliance!
Updated August 11, 2021
On August 8 – 10, McCracken County, Kentucky, Paducah, Kentucky, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky issued warnings and requirements for masking in groups inside. Kentucky has specifically mandated that all schools — attendees, personnel, teachers, etc. — require masks in response to the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant and recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
As McCracken County is “in the red zone” and our students travel from all over the United States, starting today, August 11, 2021, and until further notice, masks will be required for workshops and shopping at Ephemera Paducah. Appropriate masks are N-95 paper masks, KN95 paper masks, multi-ply paper masks, or cloth masks worn correctly and consistently over the nose and mouth. Plastic face shields are not considered masks and can only be worn if accompanied by an appropriate cloth or paper mask.
Earlier this year we offered a limited timeframe to request refunds for people who feel restricted by Covid-19 precautions. We have been clear that we will follow CDC and State guidelines regarding the safety of our customers, students, teachers, and staff throughout the Pandemic. Out of fairness to our 2021 Traveling Instructors who have been waiting a long time to teach, that offer is no longer available. Your option is to sell your seat to someone else should the current policy not work for you. Contact Kristin (270-443-0003) to see if there is a waitlist for your class.
Teachers will use our overhead projections system for demonstrations and can be far enough back to speak without a mask for demonstrations if they desire. When working one-on-one with students, masks will be required. We will continue to sanitize common areas, cleanse common supplies, eat lunch outside when possible, as well as offer up outside workspaces on the patio if desired.
Anyone who teaches at Ephemera Paducah as well as our staff is vaccinated.
Please don’t turn the staff or instructor into the “mask police.” If we have to ask you more than three (3) times to properly wear your mask, you will be considered to be in non-compliance with our stated mask policy, and be asked to leave the workshop.
I know this sucks.
It sucks as a business owner striving to do the right thing knowing that this will be seen as “political” rather than precautionary by some.
It stinks that we are reminded of this horrible virus as we make art and gather together albeit warily.
However, it keeps me up at night that my granddaughters are too young to be vaccinated and I could bring the virus to them. I would never forgive myself.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands.
Thank you for your respectful compliance.
Kristin R. Williams, owner