Date: September 10, 2021
From: Dr. Tom McLarney and Rick Culliton
Subject: Public Health Update – September 10, 2021
To the campus community,
As we complete the first week of classes, we want to thank everyone for their patience, and continued efforts toward the safety and well-being of our shared campus community. Thanks to everyone doing their part in following and enforcing our safety protocols, we have been able to maintain low COVID positivity rates.
Although this is a significant milestone, it is important to note that we must still adhere to the safety guidelines and precautions that have proven effective thus far in keeping levels of infection down.
And even though most of us are vaccinated, we know that we can still transmit and contract COVID-19. Thanks to the vaccine, those who do test positive are much more likely to be asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms. Over the last several days, we have seen examples at other colleges and universities, including Connecticut College, where clusters of breakthrough cases have affected those schools’ plans to return to normal activities.
Learning from those circumstances, we remind everyone to follow these safety protocols:
- Wear a mask indoors except when alone in one’s own private office, residential bedroom, or when eating and drinking.
- When possible, use grab-and-go dining and dine outside to reduce risk.
- Informal and social gatherings should take place outdoors when possible or in venues where physical distancing can be maintained.
- Comply with the University’s requirement for ongoing COVID testing.
You will find additional information on the Keep Wes Safe website, including a complete list of FAQs and the student Code of Conduct.
Because of your hard work and diligence thus far, we have taken important steps towards creating a healthy campus environment. We will continue to monitor our situation and adjust accordingly.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and we wish you all a very successful semester.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom McLarney, Medical Director
Rick Culliton, Chair Pandemic Planning Committee and Dean of Students