Coronavirus Rel Information

From: Tom McLarney, MD <announcement@wesleyan.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:30 AM
To: Renee Johnson Thornton <rjohnson01@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: Public Health Update

To the Wesleyan Community,

Ask any driver about what irritates them, and you are likely to hear about other drivers who drive too slowly, and those who drive too fast. These tend to be subjective observations, but speed limits do give us objective guidance as to the appropriate speed of travel.

Unfortunately, there are no posted speed limits or minimum speeds listed for reopening a state. This week in Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont has announced a phased-in reopening beginning today, May 20. I would like to discuss this from a public health perspective.

As some offices, retail businesses, restaurants, and other establishments begin to re-open, my take-home message to you all is: proceed with caution. If at all possible, continue to stay home. I urge continued self-isolation even more strongly for anyone over 65 years of age, or those who have medical conditions that place them at high risk.

At Wesleyan, the majority of faculty and staff will continue to work from home for the time being. In his announcement, Governor Lamont has permitted university research labs to reopen. As with the other sectors, this is not a mandate to reopen. Wesleyan is making plans for faculty and staff to return to work including reopening research labs in accordance with state guidelines, and detailed information is forthcoming.

On its website, the state has posted rules for each sector of the economy on reopening. General guidelines for all sectors include:

• Promote social distancing by placing tables, chairs, etc. 6 feet or more apart.
• Many facilities will have a 50 percent capacity limit, and no waiting areas.
• When applicable to the business, service by appointment only.
• Employees and patrons will be required to wear face coverings (which may be removed if eating or drinking).
• Employees will be required to stay home when ill.
• Staggered shifts for employees.
• Employees should work at home if possible.
• Touch-free appliances (soap and paper towel dispensers, automatic doors, etc.).
• Meticulous sanitizing between customers/patrons.
• Businesses to log employee shifts and whereabouts to help with contact tracing, if needed.

It’s important to remember that even if a business is complying with all the reopening recommendations, there is no guarantee of how safe it is to visit. It may be prudent to wait two or three weeks before going to a shop or restaurant, for example, to see if there is a spike in Covid-19 cases after the reopening. If there is, then we would suspect safety measures aren’t working.

If you do go out, do your best to maintain a 6-foot distance (imagine an inflated inner tube around your waist), don’t touch your face, and try not to touch things such as paper towel dispensers, sinks, door handles, etc. Take the stairs rather than the elevator, when possible, and never enter a crowded elevator. In a business setting, don’t use any shared equipment (phones, keyboards, etc.) when possible, or at least disinfect between users. Follow the instructions on the state’s website, follow your gut, and err on the side of caution.

From a public health perspective, it is anticipated that any re-opening in our state will result in an increase of Covid-19 cases. These need to be kept at a minimum and preparations must be in place to address increased cases. Once again, I urge you to proceed with caution and to consider staying home if at all possible, especially if you have added risk factors.

In closing, I wish you all health and safety. We are all suffering from “pandemic fatigue,” but try to embrace the positives, such as more time with family and the beautiful spring weather. I also want to congratulate all the members of the Class of 2020.  As you wrap up your time at Wesleyan, you deserve extra recognition for your strength, flexibility, and resilience these past few months.  Best wishes for success in your future endeavors!

Tom McLarney, MD

From: Tom McLarney, MD <announcement@wesleyan.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 4:56 PM
To: Renee Johnson Thornton <rjohnson01@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: Public Health Update

To the Wesleyan Community,

I trust this note finds everyone in good health. I write today with another public health update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Since my last update, the CDC has announced that there will be antibody testing available within the next few weeks, which will measure two antibodies: Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG).

Let me offer a quick Immunology 101 lesson: When we are exposed to an illness, our body produces IgM to fight it. During our recovery period, we produce IgG, which in many instances (but not all) gives us lifetime protection against the illness.  If a person is IgM negative and IgG positive, this suggests they had the disease and are now recovered with hopefully long-term protection.  If one is IgM positive and IgG negative, this suggests that they have the active disease and have not yet produced the protective antibody. If one is IgG and IgM negative, this suggests they have never been exposed to the disease or are incapable of producing antibodies. If one is both IgG and IgM positive, they may be early in the recovery phase or one of the tests is a false positive. What does all this mean? In theory, from a societal point of view, if one is IgM negative and IgG positive for COVID-19, they may be able to return to work without fear of contracting COVID-19. If one is IgG negative, they remain at risk for contracting COVID-19 and need to avoid exposure.

While this testing offers important information for the eventual re-opening of society and return to “business as usual,” there are still many critical questions left to answer. What are the sensitivity and specificity of these tests? In other words, what is the chance of getting a false positive or negative? Does a positive IgG correlate with lifetime immunity (as we see in chicken pox, measles, mumps, etc.) or will we be at risk for reinfection (such as influenza or strep throat)? When a vaccine is available and is given to those who are IgG negative, how long will it take after the injection for the full effect? And what is the percent of people who will be fully protected from the vaccine?

Fortunately, we have many bright scientists working to answer all these questions.  In many cases, it is a matter of time.

On another note, I had the pleasure of speaking with Father Bill Wallace, Wesleyan’s Catholic chaplain, last week.  He reminded me that the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (OSRL) is a wonderful resource to help our students who are dealing with the stressors of isolation, fear of contracting COVID-19, and the major and abrupt changes in routine we are all experiencing.  Our emotional, behavioral, and spiritual well-being is certainly being put to the test. We are lucky to have both the OSRL and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) here on campus.  Contact information for all the University’s chaplains can be found here, while CAPS can be reached at counseling@wesleyan.edu or (860) 685-2910. Faculty and staff may contact the Employee Assistance Program at (800) 854-1446.

I would be remiss if I didn’t continue to stress the principles of physical distancing.  Presently this is our best (if not our only) option to ‘’flatten the curve’’ and this appears to be happening.  We cannot let our guard down now. It’s important for everyone to follow these steps:

1. Wear a face covering when in public. This is to decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19 as infected people can be asymptomatic for two days prior to symptoms or may be completely asymptomatic.
2. Maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from others.
3. Do not meet in groups of over five people.
4. Wash hands frequently.
5. Do not touch your face. Be especially cognizant when donning or doffing your masks.
6. Cough into the crook of your arm.
7. Avoid people who are ill.
8. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as door knobs.

We will continue to forge ahead caring for ourselves and others while maintaining appropriate distancing. We are in this together and will take each day as it comes.

Stay well, be safe, be kind,

Tom McLarney, MD

From: All Students on campus <all_studenton-l@wesleyan.edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 12:41 PM
To: All Students on campus <all_studenton-l@wesleyan.edu>
Cc: Christopher Olt <colt@wesleyan.edu>; Robert Mirabal <rmirabal@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: Refund of Residential Comprehensive Fee

Dear Students,

The Student Accounts Office has started to process adjustments to Residential Comprehensive Fees (RCF) for students who have turned in their keys to Residential Life.  Please review the student FAQs for more information regarding turning in your key, which will initiate the RCF process. 

As a reminder, students who have been approved to remain on-campus will not receive an RCF adjustment.

For students with outstanding account balances, the RCF adjustment will first be applied to that balance.  In cases where the RCF adjustment creates a credit balance, these balances will remain on the student account and will be applied to future charges, unless a cash refund is specifically requested.

A cash refund can be requested by completing this form.  All refunds will be made via direct deposit to the student’s bank account on file.  If direct deposit has not been set up, a check will be mailed to the student’s home address.  Please be sure to review your home address in WesPortal for accuracy.  

Students with direct deposit on file should expect to receive their refund within 3-5 business days.  Students without direct deposit should expect a check to be processed within 7-12 business days of requesting the refund.

Students and authorized participants can review account activity via your Student Account Center in WesPortal or via wesleyan.afford.com.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Accounts Office at student-accounts@wesleyan.edu. 

Sincerely,

Robert Mirabel

Director of Student Account

Chris Olt

Associate Vice President for Finance

From: All Students on campus <all_studenton-l@wesleyan.edu>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 12:12 PM
To: All Students on campus <all_studenton-l@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: Please Leave Campus ASAP

Dear Students,

 You may be aware that the COVID-19 global pandemic is rapidly evolving and concern is rising that domestic travel may be restricted in the coming days.  If you have not already done so, I encourage you to please leave campus as soon as possible.  You may leave your personal belongings and make arrangements with Res Life to collect them at a later date.

The Student Affairs team is completing review of petitions submitted by students wishing to remain on campus and responses should go out this afternoon.

Safe travels!

Dean Mike

Michael J. Whaley (he/him/his)

Vice President for Student Affairs

Wesleyan University

220 North College

Middletown, CT 06459

(860)685-3160

From: Tom McLarney, MD <announcement@wesleyan.edu>
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 5:38 PM
To: Renee Johnson Thornton <rjohnson01@wesleyan.edu>
Subject: Public Health Update

To our student body:

As we transition from in-class learning to distance online learning, the University is promoting social distancing to ensure the safest environment for all. This includes picking up your personal belongings on campus. As this is difficult for any of us as social human beings, I feel you should know the medical rational behind this.

Dr. Anthony Fauci from the NIH gave an excellent answer to this question when he recently testified to Congress.  The essence of his presentation:

The best way to decrease the spread of this virus is to prevent person to person transmission.  College-age people who are in generally excellent health may carry the virus with minimal or no symptoms.  If we practice measures that decrease the possibility of person to person spread, we will hopefully see a decrease in cases and eventually resolution of this disease.

In addition to the annual recommendations of hand washing, cough etiquette, and no sharing of water bottles, we are ramping up prevention practices:

1)     Avoid touching your face. This will decrease the chance of exposing yourself and others to the virus.

2)     Maintain a 6 foot (2 meter) distance from people.

3)     Avoid hugs, handshakes, and high fives. If you must greet someone, use an elbow bump (although this breaks the 6 foot rule).

4)     Sanitize high touch areas frequently (Lysol and Clorox products are felt to be appropriate for this).

5)     Avoid crowded areas (no one has determined what a safe number of people together is).

This is why we are requiring students coming to collect their belongings to do it quickly and efficiently without ‘’hanging out’’ with others and not staying overnight.

With a virus strain newly discovered in December causing a pandemic without a medication to treat or a vaccine to prevent, we have to do everything in our power to curtail spread.

Tom McLarney MD

Medical Director

Wesleyan University