Throughout Winter Term and Spring Semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts related to COVID-19.
Dear Students,
With the first week of Winter Term behind us, today’s email update contains important information about the weekly testing for students and recommendations for socializing safely this spring.
Current status
- Elon’s current COVID-19 alert level is “Level 1 – Moderate Alert.” The Elon COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily at 4:00 p.m.
- Since last week’s email update, Elon has received reports of 23 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees. Most continue to be confirmations of positive antigen tests during arrival testing.
- As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 31 active cases, with 104 students in quarantine or isolation.
- As we conduct regular weekly testing for all students, please keep tabs on the community testing results, which are updated daily on Elon’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
Understanding the importance of weekly testing
The new system of weekly antigen testing for all undergraduate students is one tool in our efforts to limit the spread of the virus on campus and in the community. The regular testing will help us identify positive cases and to quickly implement quarantine, isolation and tracing protocols to limit the spread of the virus.
Weekly testing is NOT a substitute for consulting with a health care provider if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If you are feeling ill or are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, do not wait for or attend your weekly test appointment – you should immediately avoid all contact with others and follow the steps outlined for students, faculty, and staff on the Ready and Resilient website.
Weekly testing is also NOT a free pass to engage in higher-risk activities. A test is merely a snapshot of a moment in time. Tests have limitations – especially if not paired with ongoing community-wide efforts to maintain vigilance against virus spread. Until a vaccine is widely available, consistent mask-wearing and physical distancing remain our most important defenses against the spread of the virus.
Socialize safely this spring
Maintaining strong connections and belonging is important to well-being, but can seem challenging when physical distancing is important. A few tips for maintaining strong social ties this spring:
- Go to class. The data from the fall semester is clear that the classroom environment remains a low-risk setting, with strong protocols and careful monitoring. Engaged learning is a hallmark of an Elon education, promotes belonging and connection, and is a primary reason for the university to maintain in-person learning this academic year.
- Choose low-risk social activities. Of course, the lowest risk of transmission involves maintaining a small group of close personal contacts. The safest social activities on evenings and weekends are those with your roommate, apartment-mates and house-mates. But if you do decide to venture out for social connections, the next best choice are on-campus activities that are university-sponsored or recognized, following physical distancing protocols.
- Be safe and smart. Attending gatherings with individuals who are not following face covering or physical distancing guidelines – no matter the size or location – is unwise and will lead to transmission of the virus that has serious implications for the health and safety of our community. Limit the negative consequences for yourself and others by making a thoughtful plan and sticking to it.
Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection
As we continue to transition back to classes and daily routines, especially with the on-going pandemic, political unrest, and social justice concerns, it is inevitable that stress levels will ebb and flow. Stress may manifest in physical, mental or emotional ways, and it is important to be aware of your own stress and develop strategies for how to effectively manage it. The Counseling Services Self-Help Resources website provides tools and resources for the community to help monitor stress levels and develop coping mechanisms.
University Chaplain Jan Fuller’s weekly reflection is offered to help us in our search for meaning during this challenging time – this week’s reflection, “Bidden or Unbidden,” can be found here on the Truitt Center blog.
Information is updated regularly on the Elon Ready & Resilient website. The next weekly COVID-19 update will be sent to all students, faculty and staff at 12:15 p.m. next Wednesday, January 27, unless an earlier message is warranted.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life