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Congratulations on making it to the end of the Fall 2020 semester. I am so impressed with the resilience that this entire community has shown in our efforts to keep our community safe during this rapidly evolving pandemic. Here is this week’s update regarding our ongoing College-wide efforts to safeguard the health of our community. Please read the full update for vital information on our preparations for the Spring 2021 semester, as well as faculty and staff testing on Jan. 4, 2021.
COVID-19 Statistics
The increase in positive cases since the Thanksgiving holiday are staggering. Below are the case statistics in Guilford County from last week’s communication compared to this week’s numbers:
Total Cases:
- Dec. 11 - 17,027
- Dec. 18 - 19,227
Active Cases:
- Dec. 11 - 1,777
- Dec. 18 - 3,094
Deaths:
- Dec. 11 - 259
- Dec. 18 - 278
Recoveries:
- Dec. 11 - 14,989
- Dec. 18 - 15,853
Guilford College has not received reports of any new cases, hospitalizations, or deaths since our last communication.
Staying Safe Over Break
We acknowledge that we are in the ninth month of a pandemic that has progressively worsened over the last few months. We also understand that we are in the middle of a holiday season in which everyone is eager to spend time with their loved ones and to finally say goodbye to 2020. While we understand these feelings, we still must continue to look forward and prepare to keep our community safe heading into a semester that will be more challenging than this past semester. To that end, we are asking that each of our community members continue to practice the 3 W’s during this holiday season:
- Wear a face covering or mask when in public, around high-risk people, when caring for others, or when around those not in your household.
- Wash your hands frequently and properly. Use soap. Take 20 seconds. Do it right to help promote good hygiene.
- Wait: Keep your distance. Stay at least 6 feet apart whenever possible.
We are also encouraging each community member to practice a “soft-quarantine” for 14 days prior to their return to campus in January. The reason we are encouraging a soft quarantine is because we know the COVID-19 incubation period can range from 2 to 14 days and this will give us the greatest chance of limiting the spread of the virus as we begin to return to campus in January. As a reminder a soft quarantine does not mean to remain in your home for 14 days without moving. A soft quarantine does mean:
- You should stay in your home as much as possible.
- You should only leave your home for the following reasons:
- obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services;
- driving to and from your job;
- travel to take care of a family member, a friend, or pet in another household;
- travel necessary for personal safety.
- You should not attend large gatherings.
- You should take extra precautions in practicing your 3 W’s.
Testing for Faculty and Staff
We have a testing clinic scheduled for faculty and staff on Jan. 4, 2021. All faculty and staff must be tested prior to returning to campus. With the short period of time between New Year's Eve and the faculty and staff returning to campus we will not accept any proof of a negative test prior to Jan. 4. There will be more information emailed to faculty and staff about testing on December 28, 2020.
Celebrating Winter Holidays Safely
Here are some tips to keep in mind while we celebrate the winter holidays in the midst of a pandemic:
- In cold weather, wear your mask under your scarf, ski mask, or balaclava.
- Keep a spare mask in case your mask becomes wet from moisture in your breath or from snow or rain.
- Avoid crowds and indoors spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors.
Here are some alternative ways to celebrate the winter holidays in a safe manner:
- Host a virtual celebration with friends and family.
- Gather virtually for a gift exchange or other activity.
- Decorate or create a winter holiday scene and take family photos at home.
- View community decorations from a safe distance or drive through a local holiday light display.
- Make crafts, cards, or cookies to send or deliver to family, friends, and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others, such as mailing or leaving them at the door.
I would again like to thank you all for such an amazing job you have done this semester. Please enjoy this break with your family, practice self-care, and take a moment to reflect on the tremendous accomplishment you all achieved.
We will resume our weekly communication on Jan. 8. We will have an additional communication that will be emailed to our community on Dec. 30. Please remember that if you have any questions related to COVID-19 and our efforts to mitigate the pandemic on campus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 336.316.2319. We are all in this together!