COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
I hope everyone had a successful first week of the spring semester. Just as in the fall, our students, faculty, and staff are all putting their best feet forward, ensuring that we can have safe learning, in-person or remotely. I hope many of you were able to log into the town hall we hosted on Monday evening, where we shared the latest information about the vaccine. You can
read a recap here.
These two weeks are critical, with more contagious variants potentially on the horizon. If we keep the virus contained now, that sets us up to better slow the spread later.
A key component for keeping the virus away is frequent testing. All students must be tested before returning to campus to start classes, and students are required to be tested weekly. Students will also be asked on the daily symptom checker to confirm that you are in compliance with the weekly testing requirement. For more information about testing schedules and where to go, click here.
For now, have a safe weekend and PLEASE, PLEASE observe masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. The worst place to be is in a cramped bar or restaurant. Enjoy the week ahead.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
UPDATE ON VARIANTSVariants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge around the world. This is not new; scientists have logged more than 4,000 mutations of the virus since it was initially discovered. However, some of the recent variants are more concerning, so we are hearing more about them.
The variant that was originally found in the United Kingdom—B.1.1.7—is much more transmissible. In fact, the CDC issued a report that stated that it might be the most prevalent in the country by March.
The strains initially found in South Africa and Brazil are also of concern because they may make the vaccine less effective. However, Moderna, the maker of one of the vaccines in use, released a study they conducted showing that their vaccine is still protective against the South African variant. Both Moderna and Pfizer also announced that they were working on possible additional booster vaccines out of an abundance of caution.
The most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves and our community from the new variants is to continue to wear a mask, physically distance when out in public, and frequently wash/sanitize our hands. These safety precautions help stop the spread of the virus.
LOCAL SURVEILLANCE The University of Miami is once again at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight and will be helping with surveillance of new virus variants. Our research team at the Miller School of Medicine will monitor for mutations in the virus by testing COVID-19 patients at UHealth and Jackson Memorial Hospital. That includes the variants first discovered in South Africa and Brazil.
VACCINES IN THE COMMUNITY The University also works to combat misinformation and build trust about the COVID-19 vaccine in our minority communities. Researchers with the Miller School of Medicine are leading the Florida CEAL (Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities
) Team. They are collaborating with researchers from other universities across the state to devise strategies to counteract misinformation about COVID-19 while also working to understand—and overcome—barriers to care. CEAL also hopes to promote minority participation in vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials.
COMBAT COVID APP Miami Dade County is offering an app that will help notify people that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Once you download the app and follow the directions, it uses your phone’s Bluetooth function to determine if you have been near someone who has reported that they tested positive for the virus. If you test positive, you log that in the app to alert others who have been near you. The app does not disclose anyone’s identity.
GET AWAY—EVEN WHEN YOU CAN’T GET AWAY Plato once said, “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
COVID-19 restrictions can make anyone feel stuck. Even a trip to the grocery store sometimes seems like a risky endeavor. Reading a good book can take you to a far-off land, if only for 30 minutes. Plus, according to a study of undergraduate students, that 30 minutes can bring as much stress relief as 30 minutes of yoga.
So, the next time you are feeling a bit of cabin fever, open up a good book. The University library has an online catalog that you can search to find your next adventure, and The New York Times Book Review gives an overview of what’s new and widely read. |
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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 a student 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.
If you are a faculty or staff members in need of support visit fsap.miami.edu. |
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