editorial staff

December 17, 2020: Winter Break COVID Reminders

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To the campus community,

As we approach the winter recess, I write with several important reminders:

For employees working on campus over the coming weeks:

COVID testing in Beckham Hall will continue to operate on a reduced schedule for those staff whose work requires them to be on campus: Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Due to the holidays, the weekly testing will shift to Tuesday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 29 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., before returning to Wednesdays again on January 6, 2021. All students and employees working on campus should test once per week. Please remember to book your testing appointments online in advance in order to avoid unnecessary crowding in Beckham Hall. Only Wesleyan students, employees, and subcontractors may test on campus.

December 16, 2020: Public Health Update

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From: Tom McLarney, MD

Date: December 16, 2020

Subject: Public Health Update

To our Wesleyan community,

Congratulations on completing the semester, whether it was at home, on campus, or a combination of both. It was a job done well on all accounts, from completing your rigorous academics to living in the new normal defined by COVID-19 and adhering to guidelines, rules, and regulations to keep everyone safe.

I cannot overemphasize the magnitude of this past week’s news: The Pfizer vaccine has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). As I write this advisory, shipments of this vaccine are being delivered across the U.S.

In my last advisory, I reviewed the new technology of using synthetic messenger RNA (m-RNA) to stimulate the immune system to protect us from SARS CoV-2. The initial studies demonstrate an efficacy up to 95% and a very promising safety record. Monitoring of safety will continue during the widespread use of the vaccine. Soon other vaccines will receive FDA approval, including the Moderna vaccine (also an m-RNA vaccine).

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine and COVID-19.

December 4, 2020: Public Health Update

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Date: December 4, 2020 Subject: Public Health Update From: Tom McLarney, MD To the Wesleyan Community: I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, though I’m sure many of your celebrations looked quite different than usual. The holiday offered us a time to reflect on the blessings we have even during a difficult period, … Read more

November 23, 2020: COVID Safety Reminders

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Date: November 23, 2020 From: Rick Culliton Subject: COVID Safety Reminders Dear colleagues, Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I write with a few important reminders for your return to campus after the holiday: Testing in Beckham Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving from November 25–30 and will resume on December 2 on … Read more

November 16, 2020: Public Health Update (Faculty/Staff)

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Date: November 16, 2020 From: Tom McLarney, MD Subject: Public Health Update Dear colleagues, We have made it past the election and the Thanksgiving holiday is in sight. As you are undoubtedly aware, the coronavirus pandemic has entered an alarming new phase with cases rising sharply in most parts of the country and moderate increases … Read more

November 16, 2020: Public Health Update (Students)

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From: Tom McLarney, MD Subject: Public Health Update Date: November 16, 2020 Dear students, We have made it past the election and the Thanksgiving holiday is in sight. As you are undoubtedly aware, the coronavirus pandemic has entered an alarming new phase with cases rising sharply in most parts of the country and moderate increases … Read more

November 11, 2020: Staff Update

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Date: November 11, 2020 Subject: Staff Update From: Lisa Brommer Dear colleagues, I hope this note finds you well. As you know, our campus will soon begin to feel much quieter as most students head home for Thanksgiving recess and remain off-campus through early February. (A small number of students have petitioned to remain on … Read more

November 11, 2020: Freeman Athletic Center closed through November 25

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Date: November 11, 2020 From: Rick Culliton Subject: Freeman Athletic Center closed through November 25 To the campus community, I write to share that for health and safety reasons, we have decided the Freeman Athletic Center will remain closed through November 25, when most students depart campus. While COVID-19 cases on campus remain relatively low, positivity rates … Read more

November 6, 2020: COVID Testing and Compliance

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Date: November 6, 2020 From: Rick Culliton Subject: COVID Testing and Compliance Dear students, Thank you for your flexibility and patience this week as we adapted to the testing tent being closed this past Monday.  For those of you who still need your second test this week, the tent is open today until  2:30 p.m.  … Read more