Coronavirus Pandemic – CDC Advises Lowest Risk Academic Behavior is Virtual-only Learning
US STRONG news – Atlanta, GA: The Center for Disease Control reports
The more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in IHE non-residential and residential (i.e., on-campus housing) settings as follows:
Lowest Risk: Faculty and students engage in virtual-only learning options, activities, and events.
Lowest Risk: Residence halls are closed, where feasible.
Behaviors that Reduce Spread
IHEs may consider implementing several strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Staying Home or Self-Isolating when Appropriate
If a decision is made to have any version of in-person classes, before returning to campus, actively encourage students, faculty, and staff who have been sick with COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 (either through community-related exposure or international travel) to follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.
Once back on campus, educate students, faculty, and staff on when they should stay home or self-isolate in their living quarters.
Actively encourage students, faculty, and staff who are sick or have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 to stay home or in their living quarters (e.g., dorm room). Develop policies that encourage sick individuals to stay at home without fear of reprisals, and ensure students, faculty, and staff are aware of these policies. Offer virtual learning and telework options, if feasible.
Students, faculty, and staff should stay home when they have tested positive for or are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Students, faculty, and staff who have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 should also stay home and monitor their health.
CDC’s criteria can help inform return to work/school policies:
If they have been sick with COVID-19
If they have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Recommend and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.
Encourage students, faculty, and staff to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.
Cloth Face Coverings
Recommend and reinforce use of cloth face coverings among students, faculty, and staff. Face coverings should be worn as feasible and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. Individuals should be frequently reminded not to touch the face covering and to wash their hands frequently. Information should be provided to all students, faculty, and staff on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings.
Note: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
Babies and children younger than 2 years old.
Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.
Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.
Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.
Adequate Supplies
Support healthy hygiene behaviors by providing adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, cloth face coverings (as feasible), and no-touch/foot pedal trash cans.
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/considerations.html