ObieSafe Weekly: October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020 12:00 PM
Office of Communications
Meet Oberlin's COVID-19 health coordinator; tips for preventing spread indoors
| New Tests | 723 |
|---|---|
| New Positives | 0 |
| % Positive | 0.00% |
Illustration
Transcription
Six Feet of Distance, Envisioned
Some options:
- Timothée Chalamet, according to some internet sources. (Shows Timothy's head with a ruler for a body, measuring 6 feet).
- Two iPhone charger cords. (Illustration of two cords, end to end.) Without these, but it doesn't hurt to add them. (Arrows pointing to the USB charger plugs.)
- Four average-size albino squirrels, really cooperatively stretching or sleeping in a line. (Shows 4 squirrels lined up head to tail.)
- A while bass, laid on its side. Musical distancing. (Illustration of a double bass on its side.)
Campus flu shot totals
- Students: 996
- Faculty and staff: 375
- Campus total as of Oct. 16: 1,371
Way to go, Obies! As a reminder, all Oberlin College students who will be on campus during the 2020-21 school year are required to receive a flu shot. Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get the shot. If you already had your COVID test this month and forgot to get your flu shot, you may walk in at Williams Fieldhouse to get one any time the testing site is open. For students who received their flu shot elsewhere, proof of vaccination must be submitted to your Student Health Portal by November 1, 2020.
Reminder: Testing is mandatory
Our Oberlin College community has done a great job at getting tested for COVID-19. Nearly 100% of our campus community has been tested each month!
Testing is mandatory. A small number of students are not regularly testing for a variety of reasons. Neglecting to abide by monthly testing could result in dismissal. The College is addressing each of these cases to ensure compliance with this very important layer of our healthcare strategy.
If a student is not testing continually, they will receive written notice via email from the Dean of Students Office alerting them to their unscheduled tests, including a deadline by which the test must be scheduled, and then completed.
If testing appointments are unavailable at a time that works for your schedule, please reach out to covid.testing@oberlin.edu to inquire about additional options. It is your responsibility to ensure you are tested each month.
If you fail to schedule and complete the necessary COVID-19 test, it will result in dismissal from campus.
Lorain County sees spike in new cases
The past several days, Lorain County has experienced a spike in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases according to the Ohio Department of Health dashboard. The number of daily cases reported have been some of the highest since early August. While Oberlin's testing program results have been promising up to this point, it's important to be aware of the larger trends, both nationally and locally, and to keep in mind that viral spread can occur very quickly if we are not continually vigilant on campus and off, especially as time spent indoors increases with the change of seasons.
Meet Katie Gravens, Oberlin's COVID-19 Campus Health Coordinator
In this interview, we get to know Katie Gravens and learn about her role in managing Oberlin's layered health strategy in this interview with Chief of Staff David Hertz.
Indoor gatherings in cold weather: Guidelines to stay safe and prevent spread
As Ohio transitions from a crisp fall to a brisk winter, the cold weather is likely to encourage informal social interactions and gatherings inside. Unfortunately, inside settings encourage the spread of COVID-19. Given this increased risk factor, it is paramount that our community is vigilant in following ObieSafe guidelines when it comes to indoor activities and, in particular, indoor socialization. Read on for some important policy reminders and helpful tips.
Soliciting feedback for Covid Conversations
If you are interested in participating in ObieSafe’s Covid Conversations video feature, or want to provide feedback for future Covid Conversations topics, please fill our very brief Covid Conversations Interest & Feedback Form. Covid Conversations is a forum where students discuss living on and off campus during the pandemic. The cohosts are Jen Snowden '21 (she/her) and Sophia Garcia '21 (she/her), student staff members for Health Promotion for Students and the Peer Support Center, Center for Student Success.
Opportunity for students interested in health careers
Looking for a job on campus? Interested in pursuing a health-related career? Interested in helping your fellow Obies get additional information and recommendations about the COVID-19 pandemic? That opportunity is here! The Center for Student Success is accepting applications for a Health Communication Student Specialist position specifically for COVID-19 messaging. View the application.
Get in touch with the ObieSafe team
Have something to share in a future issue of ObieSafe Weekly? Email obiesafe@oberlin.edu with story ideas or information you’d like to have considered for publication.
ObieSafe Weekly provides the news, information—and the occasional smile—we all need to navigate the pandemic and help our community thrive. Find the tools you need in your inbox every Tuesday at noon.