COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
You probably have noticed that we have a little less than two weeks until the end of the semester. Now is the time for students, faculty, and staff to start making preparations for the holidays if they have not done so already. If travel is in your plans please be aware of the risks and know that COVID-19 will make travel more complicated than it has been in years past. A few states in the northeast, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, have implemented travel restrictions and mandatory documentation of negative test results.
The best way to prevent a positive COVID-19 test is to continue to be vigilant. Although it may be tempting to celebrate the end of the semester, it’s not worth risking the health of your fellow ’Canes or that of your family back home.
Adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols, including wearing a mask, staying away from crowded spaces, keeping six feet of distance between you and others, and practicing good hand hygiene.
As we enter the winter months, it is clear that we are in the third surge of this virus. We are all suffering a bit of COVID fatigue, but let’s help each other stay strong and vigilant. |
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19
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STUDENT TESTINGJust as we ask our students to take personal responsibility, we take responsibility to not contribute to rising numbers in our students’ home communities seriously. This is why we will continue to conduct mandatory student testing through Nov. 19.
However, students should get tested two to seven days before leaving. This will give them enough time to get results and meets most airline rules of “documentation of negative result three days before traveling.”
If you are traveling to a state that requires documentation of a negative test result and your test date at the Pavia testing location doesn’t align with that test window, you can schedule a different date through Student Health Service at StudentHealth@miami.edu.
We will share more details on this in the coming days.
DELAYING TRAVELAnyone who is in isolation or quarantine or has tested positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms, should delay travel. The same is true if you are sick, are awaiting test results, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. This is especially important if you had plans to travel by plane.
I know that everyone wants to be with their families, but you do not want to expose them to the virus, particularly if they are at increased risk for severe disease. The CDC has more information on its website about when and for how long to delay travel to avoid spreading COVID-19. Residential students with questions about on-campus housing options during winter break should contact housing@miami.edu. |
FLU VACCINEIf you have not gotten the flu shot yet, the compliance deadline for students is Monday, Nov. 16, for faculty and staff, it’s Friday, Dec. 11. Students can get details on scheduling an appointment for a flu shot and documentation from the Student Health Service website. The employee health website has details on flu shot locations and Workday documentation requirements for faculty and staff.
HERD IMMUNITYYou may have heard of the theory that if we let COVID-19 spread unabated that we could reach “herd immunity.” Herd immunity protects susceptible individuals against infection when a large proportion of the general population has been infected.
According to a study published on the CDC website, there is little precedent for achieving herd immunity without a vaccine. Without a vaccine, herd immunity would require 198 million infections, and up to 1 million Americans could die.
This study’s takeaway is that we must keep up with wearing masks and physical distancing until a vaccine is developed and distributed to the general population. To do otherwise would lead to many more illnesses and deaths. |
VACCINE AND CLINICAL TRIALYou have the opportunity to volunteer in validating a vaccine. Miller School physician-researchers are leading one NIH-based COVID-19 vaccine trial and have just finished enrolling another. The trial seeks to determine the vaccine’s efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers are looking to enroll a diverse group in age, gender, race, ethnicity, and underlying health issues.
Another group of physician-scientists has also started a new clinical trial to test a monoclonal antibody drug developed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among people who may have been exposed by an infected family member.
You can learn more about both studies and enroll on UMed Insider.
ANXIETY AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEMWe live in uncertain times, so it is natural to feel a certain amount of anxiety. However, too much anxiety activates the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, and triggers the stress response. Chronic activation of this response has been shown to damage cells, including immune system cells. So, in other words, being constantly worried about catching COVID-19 can make you more susceptible to the virus. Worrying about exams and deadlines for papers can also create stress and anxiety.
However, you can do things to minimize anxiety in other aspects of your life, like managing your time better, making you feel more in control. As a busy student or professional, you have deadlines and schedules that you need to keep. Here are a few time management tips that might help:
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Keep a planner
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Learn when to say “no”
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Set realistic goals
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Break down big projects into smaller tasks
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Overestimate the time it takes to complete a task
If you still feel overwhelmed, remember that there are resources available to you that can help. Contact the Student Counseling Center or the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. |
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We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
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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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