COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information

Monday is Labor Day, which means a three-day weekend and a well-deserved rest. While this holiday may not look exactly like last year’s, there are still some familiar activities that can be done safely.

Spending time outdoors is a perfect example; make sure you wear a mask and stay six feet apart from others. You could also have a virtual trivia night with friends and family who live far away. Using your imagination, I know you will find ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and make lasting memories.

It’s important to remember that as we take time to relax and recharge, we cannot relax our vigilance in taking these protective measures: wear a mask, and practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene. Let’s be smart and do our part.

Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19

LABOR DAY TRAVEL

We strongly discourage travel for Labor Day, especially by air. Please do not fly. If traveling by car, please remember to follow the same safety measures as you do when on campus. This includes wearing a mask while in public, staying physically distant by at least six feet, and washing your hands frequently.

CONTACT TRACING

An essential part of making in-person instruction during this pandemic a success is contact tracing. When someone tests positive, we need to be able to contact everyone that person has closely encountered so we can stop the spread of the virus. Contact tracing is required for all persons who test positive. This involves answering a short survey to identify all the positive individual’s close contacts who may be at risk of exposure.

You must be honest and thorough when answering the questions; it is vital for stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

The identity of the COVID-19 positive individual is never shared, so do not be concerned about your privacy.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR YOUR HEALTH

Over the holiday weekend, be sure not to let your nutritional needs fall by the wayside. A healthy diet helps keep your immune system working at its peak performance. Perhaps you have heard that chicken soup is good for the soul, but it is also good for your health. Chicken breast is a low-fat protein that gives your body the fuel it needs to run efficiently. The carrots, celery, and onions have vitamins A, K, and C, which are known to help boost the immune system.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT VITAMIN D

Many people are vitamin D deficient and do not realize it. This vital nutrient is a precursor to melatonin production; it regulates sleep cycles and blood pressure and fights infections. Some studies say it also affects brain function and provides protection against cancer.

Getting outdoors and limiting direct sun exposure is a great way to get some vitamin D. You can also add fatty fish like tuna, wild salmon, or halibut to your diet; or dairy products like milk and yogurt.

TAKE A PAUSE

Stress is common in any school year without the addition of a global pandemic. Take some time over the Labor Day weekend to stop and breathe. Focusing on the sensation, sound, and rhythm of your breathing is proven to calm the mind and lower the heart rate.

The University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program also offers mindfulness webinars that can help you manage your stress.

VOLUNTEER TO FIND A VACCINE OR NEW THERAPY FOR COVID-19

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is proud to be a part of the global effort to develop a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus and is looking for participants to take part in a vaccine trial now underway. You can find out how to take part here, or by emailing COVIDvaccine@miami.edu.

Investigators have also launched a clinical trial to study if convalescent plasma containing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is effective in treating COVID-19 positive patients who have been hospitalized with acute respiratory symptoms. The trial seeks to enroll people who test positive for COVID-19. Learn more here.

We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses who are experiencing possible symptoms consistent with, or who have been potentially exposed to, COVID-19 should contact the University’s COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U, where UHealth physicians and providers are available to answer your questions and provide telemedicine services if needed.

Members of the Medical Campus should contact 305-243-8378.

For additional University of Miami COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.

If you are in distress or need counseling services, the Counseling Center provides mental health services through HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platforms. Counselors are certified and available to help any time by calling 305-284-5511. Additional resources are also available by visiting counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu.

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