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This is a special #GivingTuesday update. We have important news that cannot wait until our regular Thursday update.
- Testing Required for Everyone (Nov. 30 or Dec. 1)
- Vaccine Clinic on Dec. 2: Flu Shots and Shingles Vaccine Also Offered
- Reminder About Our Continued Mask Mandate
- Information About the New Omicron Variant
Testing on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
There will be on-campus COVID testing clinics today (Nov. 30) and tomorrow (Dec. 1) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. in the Carnegie Room of Hege-Cox Library. It is required for each community member to be tested. This testing is for ALL community members who are on campus, regardless of their vaccination status. Please pre-register at starmed.care (click on the blue 'testing button') before you come for the test.
Triad Health will be on campus on Thursday, December 2 to provide vaccines for COVID-19, the flu and shingles.
Those individuals who need a second COVID-19 vaccine or booster are encouraged to attend. The clinic will be in the Boren Lounge in Founders Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is not required but helpful so they know how many and what kind of doses to bring. Please sign up/register here.
Reminder: We Still Have A Mask Mandate
Guilford College is still requiring all community members and visitors to mask while in public spaces indoors while on campus. Please continue to wear your mask in public spaces and remember to alert any guests/visitors of that mandate as well. If you are holding a meeting or event, it is your responsibility to communicate that to attendees in advance and it is everyone’s responsibility to remind others of this requirement. We are all in this together. Thank you for taking care of yourself and others.
Information About the New Omicron Variant
A brief message from Michele Malotky, Professor of Biology and Health and Safety Task Force member:
The emergence of the latest Coronavirus variant, Omicron, has once again raised the alarm, prompting governments to reinstitute travel bans and more rigorous screening protocols and reminding a weary public of the continued importance of practical measures to keep everyone safe — including social distancing, physical barriers (masking), quarantine procedures, and vaccination.
So far, analysis of the Omicron variant has revealed a number of mutations that could potentially increase the virus’s transmissibility, infectivity and ability to evade current immune defenses. However, despite the concerns regarding the new variant, all evidence to date strongly supports vaccination as the best defense against infection and severe illness leading to hospitalization.
Viruses require a host in order to reproduce and spread. As long as there are hosts lacking immunity to the virus, it will continue to spread and mutate, potentially giving rise to novel variants that could undermine our attempts to stem the tide of viral contagion.
Finally, the polarizing political rhetoric surrounding vaccination and individual rights and liberties fails to acknowledge that liberty comes with responsibility and our freedoms should not supersede the freedom and safety of others. Please remain vigilant and promote health practices that will keep our community safe.
We will issue our regular report with testing results, local/regional/national data and FAQs on Thursday. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Health and Safety Task Force
Kim Berry and Steve Mencarini, co-chairs
Ryann Fowler
Suzanne Bartels
Savannah Henry
Maya Chevalier
Kim-Anne Kleimeier
Reacie Daniel
Erickia Elbert
Michele Malotky
Susan Smith