Spring Break 2020 Memo to Students
A COVID-19 Update
Dear Bard Students,I write on behalf of the College’s COVID-19 Response Team, which has been actively engaged with public health officials, government agencies, and community leaders to determine the best way to advise the community on the situation as it stands now in Dutchess County and provide guidance, advice, and policy as we head to spring break. All community members should be monitoring the College’s website dedicated to COVID-19, which has links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). There are no known cases in the surrounding area including Dutchess, Ulster, and Columbia counties at this time.
The Campus Response Team is conferring daily with local officials and monitoring recommendations emerging from national associations for higher education and guidelines for medical staff. A dedicated email has been established for individual questions at [email protected].
Given the rapidly changing nature of state and national advisories about travel, we strongly recommend that everyone remain at the College for spring break and cancel nonessential travel (domestic or international). This includes travel to NYC.
We are asking all students to advise us of their plans using the College’s travel form found online here. We are mobilizing services to provide more on-campus programming, expanding meal plan options, and providing more academic support services over the break. Seniors should be especially conservative and discuss their plans with senior advisors to ensure continuity of work at this critical time. We strongly recommend that students remain at the College.
International Travel
Traveling to countries with a State Department Level 3 or 4 Advisory is not recommended by the World Health Organization, CDC, or State Department. The College will not sponsor any travel to these areas as long as the State Department advisories are in effect and have at this time cancelled all international, college-sponsored student travel through the end of March. Currently this includes China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran. New countries will likely be added—for the most updated information please refer to the State Department Travel Advisory Page.
The College will require that anyone visiting locations rated at a level 3 or higher complete the CDC-recommended 14 day self-isolation at their permanent address and be symptom-free before returning to campus. Students who may have special circumstances should reach out to International Student Adviser Manishkamala Kalupahana at [email protected] or call 845-758-7454 to discuss. Self-isolation cannot be completed on campus due to the risk of community exposure nor can it happen at an off campus residence where other students are living. This self-isolation requirement applies to faculty and staff, as well as students and is in accordance with local and national health department guidelines.
We advise you to be conservative about travel. Travel disruptions are likely as airlines are actively canceling flights. While some areas may currently be designated a Level 1, that may change rapidly and travelers will likely be prevented from re-entering the United States and/or be subject to a lengthy quarantine. Airlines are loosening cancellation policies. If you do have flights reserved, we recommend you contact your airline immediately to discuss.
Domestic Travel
Many cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed around the United States, including clusters in Washington, California, New Hampshire, New York, and elsewhere. For this reason, we advise avoiding all travel as much as you can until the outbreak subsides. It could be the case that similar self-isolation requirements are imposed on travelers within the U.S.
Health Protocols
We are in the midst of the regular flu season. The best way to limit transmission of the flu also applies to COVID-19.
- Get a flu shot
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly (for a minimum of 20 seconds)
- Cover your face using a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Limit the amount you touch your face
- Avoid contact or proximity with anyone who is ill
- If you are ill, stay home and contact Health Services to discuss next steps
Bard Health Services is available via phone by calling: 845-758-7433
Health Services Hours:
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Fridays
As much as possible, we ask Bard students to be in touch with Health Services directly via phone. If you are experiencing fever and lung symptoms or you suspect you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please call Health Services for a medical consult before walking in. In keeping with Health Department guidelines, Bard Health Services requests that you not walk into the clinic until you have consulted with the staff over the phone. Phone consultations are recommended to receive the best care and advice and minimize the chance that others will be exposed. Many doctor’s offices and health clinics regularly use this protocol during flu season.
What should I expect if I have symptoms similar to COVID-19 and call Security to be seen by EMS?
Calling Bard EMS or 911
New York State and Dutchess County Emergency Medical Services have new protocols for responding to patients who are suspected of having COVID-19, which includes Bard EMS, a state-certified service that is required to follow state protocols.
After hours, Bard students who are experiencing fever, lung symptoms, and a cough can call EMS via Security. A preliminary phone assessment will be conducted to determine that there is not an immediate emergency. If a patient is suspected of having the virus and not immediately in a life-threatening situation, Security will contact local health officials and ask the patient to self-isolate until a public health official can come onsite and test the patient. Testing is NOT available upon demand at clinics. Only the local health department has access to tests at this time and these tests are being reserved for severely ill patients.
Protocols for all emergency services are the same. Onsite evaluations will not be conducted by emergency personnel for patients suspected of COVID-19 unless there is a life-threatening emergency. It is critical that we do our part to limit exposure of medical personnel to the virus.
Patients are being asked not to go to any outpatient clinic with fever, shortness of breath, and/or cough. Instead, people should follow the same protocol and call ahead to the clinic to be triaged over the phone. Most patients will be given medical protocols to manage their illness without being seen in person unless immediate medical intervention is required. Again, this is in keeping with protocols applied during an acute flu season.
Campus Preparedness
Public health officials have recommended that we identify dedicated housing where students can be comfortable if we need to quarantine anyone with a suspected case. We have identified suitable housing and are now moving some students to create separate, dedicated housing in case quarantine is needed. Other colleges in the Hudson Valley and elsewhere are taking similar measures.
The College’s staff is prepared to help students with food delivery and are organizing online activities to help students remain connected. Health Services staff have protocols for checking in with students who are ill. Faculty are developing plans to minimize disruptions in classes. All campus offices have response plans to help the community in the case that we need to mobilize.
Virtual Volunteering
The Center for Civic Engagement is organizing virtual volunteers to help in the event that local community schools, agencies, nursing homes, or community centers need to close or limit activities. Anyone interested in helping run online programs for the local community or who are interested in being a virtual-care buddy for individual community members who may have to self-isolate should sign up. We are organizing fun online events, games, check-ins, and activities to keep everyone connected.
Creativity and flexibility are hallmarks of the Bard community. We are confident that we are especially capable of finding ways that we can stay in community even as we are being asked to minimize travel or physical contact. Technology and online community building are resources that we can use as we find ways to mobilize our vast talents to provide a rich array of activities to keep everyone connected during this time. Look for more information from the CCE.
Sincerely,
Erin Cannan
Response Team
Coleen Alexander Murphy, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].
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