Campus family,
While we are not implementing any new COVID-related protocols today, I do want to share some new information shared by our COVID Planning Team that may help guide our interactions with each other as we finish out the next week and a half.
Ventilation matters
The traditional barriers against COVID-19 (masking, distancing, hand washing) continue to be extremely important in slowing the spread of the virus. However, research and our own experience here on campus has shown that even with all those barriers in place, COVID can still spread if people spend extended periods of time together in poorly ventilated spaces.
Keep in mind that the COVID cases in the Lincoln community and on our campus far surpass the cases and spread rates that took place last April and May. Right now in Lancaster County, there is a 98 percent chance that a group of 100 people will have at least one person who is infected with the coronavirus. In a group of 10, there is a 28 percent chance. That means you are far more likely to be around someone who has COVID-19 without realizing it.
This series of images on the right shows modeling from a research group in Colorado using known data about how the virus spreads (see the source).
The main takeaway is that while masks and distancing are critically important to slow spread, when in an enclosed space without good ventilation for extended periods of time, the virus is still likely to spread to most of the room’s occupants.
The best way to stop the spread is to add significant ventilation by opening windows and doors and increasing airflow.
It is important to note that we still have not seen any spread from classrooms. This is likely because most classrooms are significantly large for the number of people in the room and most classes last no more than 60-90 minutes.
So to finish out this semester—and even into break for those of you staying on campus—we ask that you avoid the following:
- Riding in cars with others without the windows open (please still wear masks).
- Meeting in offices or study rooms for extended periods of time (more than a few minutes). If you need to meet, please find a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors) or hold your meeting over Zoom.
- Taking your mask off in your office or dorm room without closing the door. Please make sure you are alone or only with your roommate and your door is closed before removing your mask.
Please note that if you need to study with other people indoors, the Krueger Center is a great place to do that. Most rooms are open and spacious, and the advanced HVAC system provides great ventilation and special air handling helps eliminate the virus.
Heading home for break
Looking beyond final exams, I know many of you are planning to return home to spend the break with friends and family. Please consider the following precautions to protect your family and friends:
- Get a COVID-19 test before leaving the Lincoln area to avoid unknowingly bringing COVID-19 home. Free testing is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the testing center in Rees Hall across from Campus Health. Fill out the form here to get started.
- Limit your interactions with others as much as possible in the next 10 days before you leave. The fewer interactions you have, the less likely you are to contract COVID-19 and bring it home with you.
- Be cautious during travel. No matter how you choose to travel, you can take action to help reduce your chances of contracting COVID-19. View these handy travel tips from the University of Nebraska for help getting to your destination safely.
- Research local restrictions for your destination. Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring masks or requiring those who have traveled to quarantine for up to 14 days. View state and territorial listings.
- If you’ll be around an individual from a high-risk population when you arrive at your destination, be sure to wear a face mask and keep six feet apart so you don’t unknowingly pass along the virus.
Don’t let COVID-19 ruin your hard-earned break from the rigors of coursework. Wear a face covering. Watch your distance. Wash your hands.
Don’t let stress wear you down
If you are struggling to cope with the stress of COVID and finals and all the other challenges facing you right now, please reach out to someone—a dean, a life coach, a mentor or a professor. We’re all here to listen and to help. If you’d like to speak with our campus counselor, please make an appointment at ucpersonalcounseling.as.me
I’d like to thank our COVID Planning Team for all the long hours of work this semester keeping us all safe and healthy: Kim Canine, Frankie Rose, Lisa R. Forbes, Steve Trana, Chris Canine and Ryan Teller. In addition, special thanks to everyone across campus who has helped with the health checks, testing, extra cleaning and sanitation, counseling and caring for those in isolation and quarantine. A big round of applause goes to our faculty who committed themselves to in-person teaching this semester despite all the challenges, and to our staff and student teams who created safe events and creative ways to build community in spite of the restrictions.
Thank you to each one of you for taking the extra effort to keep each other safe as the pandemic surges throughout the community and country. Great work, team Union!
Blessings,
Vinita Sauder
President, Union College
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