Dear Campus Community,
We have four active student cases and two active faculty/staff cases, including several carry-overs from last week. Given the increasing numbers in Adair County and our Thanksgiving travel, we’d expect that numbers may increase as the semester ends. With finals coming up, we recommend returning to a level where you wear masks not just on-campus, but going out to the store or other public places. Even if you have a mild (or even asymptomatic) case, no one wants to be quarantined or isolated during finals week if they can help it.
This week, you have probably also seen the discussion of omicron in the news. It’s too early to know much, and there’s no reason to panic right now. Still, we should all keep an eye on it as scientists start to learn more. All signs are that current vaccines do substantially work against the new variant, so those who haven’t gotten vaccinated yet should maybe reconsider given this new outbreak. The other layers of “Swiss Cheese” are still effective against the new variant: masking, distance, hand-washing. We remind you that masks are only effective if they cover both the nose and mouth, and maybe it’s a good time to invest in some better masks that work well, stay in place and are comfortable.
We also discussed the idea that you might want to be tested for COVID before you leave for the long winter holiday. Testing is pretty easy at local pharmacies (Walgreens, Hy-Vee, Walmart, and more), and results usually take a couple of days to find out. But, especially if you’ll be spending the holiday with those who might be vulnerable, testing negative might make you worry a bit less.
This seven minute video discusses the week’s numbers and news, including omicron:
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Although we aim these updates at our faculty and the campus community, please do share this information or the video with students in your classes, with parents, and elsewhere. This information is shared with all students via their COVID Blackboard page, sent directly to all Truman faculty and staff, and shared on our public web page here:
https://www.truman.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-working-group-videos/
If you have questions or topics you’d like to know more about, please contact us at: ndmoore@truman.edu
-Faculty Senate COVID-19 Working Group
Nancy Daley-Moore, PhD, Health Science
Christine Harker, PhD, English
Scott Alberts, PhD, Statistics
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| Active Cases in Isolation |
Recovered Cases |
Recovered Cases |
||
| Week | Student | Fac/Staff | Fall 2021 | Total |
| Aug 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 525 |
| Aug 31 | 21 | 0 | 8 | 533 |
| Sep 7 | 13 | 1 | 23 | 548 |
| Sep 14 | 9 | 0 | 33 | 558 |
| Sep 21 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 567 |
| Sep 28 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 571 |
| Oct 5 | 5 | 0 | 46 | 571 |
| Oct 12 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 576 |
| Oct 19 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 579 |
| Oct 26 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 579 |
| Nov 2 | 3 | 0 | 54 | 579 |
| Nov 9 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 581 |
| Nov 16 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 582 |
| Nov 23 | 1 | 1 | 57 | 582 |
| Nov 30 | 4 | 2 | 57 | 582 |
Related Links:
Faculty Senate COVID-19 Working Group Videos and Emails
All COVID-19 Campus Communications
Coronavirus Updates and Resources Website