Below, for your reference, is the full text of President Julio Frenk’s video message (above) to the University of Miami community.
Today, we begin our final week together on campus for the Fall 2020 semester. On Friday, most of our students will head home to prepare for and complete final exams remotely.
As I have noted before, I am proud of the way the vast majority of our students, faculty, and staff have worked together to prioritize the health and safety of the entire University of Miami community.
As the world, the U.S., Florida, and Miami-Dade County experience rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, I thought it important to thank you for your efforts and to offer two important reminders.
First, as we prepare to depart campus, we must continue to adhere to the protocols that have served us well so far: testing, which is now available without an appointment; use of face covers; hand washing; physical distancing; limiting social gatherings to no more than 10 persons; and cooperating with the contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine required to contain the virus.
As the holidays approach, it is tempting to let down our guard. While the percentage of students complying with public health measures had been in the mid-90s for most of the fall, we saw it drop to the low 80s in recent weeks, resulting in more cases. In fact, one in four of all cases at the U this semester arose just in the last two weeks, following the Halloween weekend.
We get it. COVID fatigue is real. Still, if we want to protect ourselves and our loved ones, we must not grow weary of doing the right thing.
Which brings me to the second reminder. The last thing any of us wants to bring home for the holidays is COVID-19. Please follow the travel guidelines we issued last week.
We have come far along to get careless now. I thank each of you and wish you a joyous holiday season. Rest, recharge, and recommit to doing your part to help defeat COVID-19. |
