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Here is a special update regarding the ongoing College-wide efforts to safeguard the health of our community. Please read the full update for vital information on our planning considerations for the spring 2021 semester.
Testing for Faculty and Staff
On Dec. 28, faculty and staff received an email with details regarding a testing clinic for faculty and staff on Jan. 4. The testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the gym of the Ragan Brown Field House. All faculty and staff must be tested prior to returning to campus. We will not accept any proof of a negative test prior to Jan. 4. We have received questions about registering for testing without an up-to-date insurance card. Starmed says we can register with our current insurance IDs. Once you receive the new cards you can register for future testing clinics with the new cards.
Staying Safe During New Year’s Eve
We understand how anxious and excited we are to finally put the year 2020 behind us and welcome in 2021. Hopefully brighter days are ahead as we bring in the new year. We also want to remind you that the we are still in the middle of a raging pandemic, and with our community members beginning to return to campus within 14 days from the start of the new year, our actions and risks we take as we celebrate the new year will affect the safety of our campus and our community heading into the spring semester. To that end, here are some safety measures we are asking our community to follow as we bring in the new year and prepare to return to campus.
“Soft Quarantine”
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.
3 W’s
Please continue to practice the 3 W’s:
- 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.
Self Reporting
If you have been in close contact with an individual that has tested positive or received notification of a positive test result prior to returning to campus, please utilize our Self-Reporting Form to notify our COVID-19 Response team.
Alternative New Year's Eve Celebrations
Here are ways to celebrate the new year while staying safe and soft quarantining:
- Have virtual celebrations with loved ones.
- Attend a virtual concert or performance.
- Plan a virtual countdown to midnight with friends.
- Enjoy a virtual dinner or dessert with friends and family.
- Plan a New Year’s party for the people you live with.
- Decorate, play music, and have a dance party with the people you live with.
- Have a pajama party and watch your favorite movies or play games.
- Plan a special meal or dessert with your family.
- Reach out to family, friends, and neighbors.
- Call, text, or leave a voicemail for family, friends, and neighbors wishing them a happy new year.
- Call friends and family to count down to the new year together.
- Plan a neighborhood countdown to midnight. People who live with each other can stand in front of their house and cheer together at midnight.
- Watch a live streamed firework display, concert, First Night event, or other New Year’s programming from your home, such as the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop. Virtual events are happening across the United States.
- Take care of yourself and do something you enjoy, such as reading a book.
- Set new year resolutions. Find out if your hometown is sponsoring a special social media event and share your resolutions.
We hope that you continue to enjoy the remainder of your break. We look forward to the safe return of our community members starting Jan 4. We will resume our weekly communication on Jan 8. 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!