Coronavirus
Community message — March 1, 2020
Dear MIU community members,
We hope this message concerning the Corona Virus (COVID-19) finds you well and healthy as Winter begins to wind down and Spring approaches. Thank you very much for taking this situation seriously and reading this important community message and opening the links which are designed to provide updated information that will help address questions or concerns you may have. This message will be periodically updated as relevant circumstances change.
As of Wednesday, February 19, 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared information that community spread of COVID-19 in the United States is likely to occur.
With the exception of international travel, MIU is currently continuing all our normal activities, including in-person classes and events. Our focus is on campus-wide preparedness as we have reconvened our Emergency Management Group to supervise our preparedness and prevention practices and policies.
We are closely following the conditions internationally where our students and employees may be studying and working or planning to do so, and when necessary or appropriate assisting those individuals to return to campus and/or the United States. MIU maintains and monitors guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CDC and coordinates with local public health officials on recommendations for screening and restrictions for any arriving travelers or new students. The entry of new students from CDC Level 2 and Level 3 countries (currently China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan) will be postponed until further notice. See details
Community transmission in the US and preparedness
Community transmission would change the public health strategy to mitigating the further spread of the virus. This approach could involve social distancing measures to decrease potential contact between large groups of individuals — such as postponing large-scale events, moving activities to online modes, or other changes.
We have seen that community transmission in other countries has occurred unexpectedly and caused major disruptions. With that in mind, we are preparing as a campus community to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff so we can continue our teaching, research, and service with as few interruptions as possible. Currently, we have seen no community transmission here but plans are being formulated to address that possibility.
The campus Emergency Management Group and is implementing plans and contingencies for screening, medical care, housing, quarantining, travel, study abroad, and study continuity.
The majority of COVID-19 cases will present with mild symptoms that would require home isolation and health monitoring, and hygiene practices to prevent spread to others; see the FAQ for more information. A much smaller population of patients with severe respiratory symptoms would require hospitalization.
Travel
Students
Students should be aware of the risks of travel restrictions/disruptions, especially in planning for the upcoming spring break. Flight cancelations, quarantines, and border closures have been implemented by several countries on short notice. The university strongly recommends postponing nonessential personal travel outside of the US at this time. Students who remain on campus during Spring Break do not have to pay any additional fees for room and board during that period. See the current CDC list of countries that pose a health risk.
Students who seek to return from Level 3 or Level 2 countries will not be given entry on campus even if they pass other screenings. See the FAQ for more information regarding care for infection, prevention, and hygiene.
Faculty and staff
MIU faculty and staff are expected to be at work. Faculty and staff are required to obtain advance approval for any international travel from the Dean of Faculty or Director of Human Resources until further notice. Non-essential international travel is highly discouraged for any purpose. Those who may seek to return from countries with Level 3 or Level 2 CDC risks will not be given entry on campus even if they pass other screenings. See the FAQ for more information regarding care for infection, prevention, and hygiene.
Employees are advised to work with their departments and human resources contacts to make contingency plans to offer core services in the event of a disruption. Employees should refer to guidelines from the Emergency Management Group regarding infection prevention, and hygiene measures.
Self-care
All of us can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 by remembering to:
- Stay at home if you are sick. Faculty will not require notes from medical providers for students who may have absences due to genuine respiratory or other illnesses and will implement flexible policies in their classrooms concerning make-ups.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. We will be increasing the availability of hand sanitizers throughout campus which regular use we encourage.
- Cover your cough and sneeze with your elbow or sleeve.
- Avoid touching your nose and mouth.
- Wearing face masks as a routine practice is not recommended by CDC.
As always, we are a community that is working together to support each other, work toward solutions, and provide outstanding care and compassion to all. The safety and well-being of our entire community are the highest priority to all MIU leadership.
Please continue to stay updated by checking your MIU email regularly and visiting this web page for current information.
Contact
For those seeking support or help regarding COVID or any other health issues contact our MIU Integrative Wellness Center at: 641-472-7000 x3411 or 3410. If they are unavailable contact 24-hour Campus Security at 641 472 1115. In an emergency phone 911 or the Jefferson County Hospital at 641 472-4111, located at 2000 S. Main Street at the south end of Fairfield.
Iowa Department of Public Health updates
Additional COVID-19 Cases in Iowa https://t.co/aRt8VPqbDi
— IDPH – Public Health (@IAPublicHealth) March 10, 2020