COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
As President Frenk shared in his video message today
, we have seen a sharp increase in positive COVID-19 cases among students in the past week. This is concerning for a number of reasons and means we need to take steps to reduce those numbers. Now is not the time to become complacent. Even though the number of cases is declining in Florida, we are currently in the eye of the storm. With more transmissible variants spreading quickly, including right here in South Florida, that downward trend could easily change direction.
We must get our numbers down as low as possible to brace for the storm’s next phase. We have done it before, and we can do it again. It’s imperative that students follow the guidelines shared by President Frenk, and we all must recommit to each other to follow public health measures, including always wearing a mask in public, keeping six feet distance apart from others, and avoiding crowded spaces. Even outdoors, it is crucial to adhere to these behaviors, including while walking on campus.
Our ability to successfully offer face-to-face instruction with limited risk of spreading the virus is dependent on your personal choices. It seems simplistic, but by taking the necessary precautions, you save lives because more spread equals more illness.
Remember, when ’Canes take care of ’Canes, we also take care of our greater community.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
NEW CAMPUS GUIDELINESIn order to reduce the number of positive cases of COVID-19 at the University, a number of actions are being taken to keep us safe. Starting today and lasting until at least Tuesday, Feb. 16, students on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses are being asked to curtail their activities. More detailed information is available on the University’s COVID-19 site. During this same period, on all campuses (Coral Gables, Marine, and Medical), large student gatherings and in-person activities (excluding
in-person classes and instructional labs) will need to be rescheduled for a later date. Restrictions will remain in place until at least Feb. 16.
SUNDAY - WILL IT BE THE BUCS WITH THE G.O.A.T. OR WILL THE CHIEFS CONTINUE THEIR REIGN AT THE TOP?
Either way, the best way to safely see Brady and Mahones duke it out will be from your couch with your household members. Please avoid public venues like pubs and sports bars to watch the Super Bowl. This year the safest way to cheer on your team is at home with people in your household. However, you can still have a virtual watch party. Several streaming apps allow you to watch with friends, cheering your team while staying distant. And, at least that way, you don’t have to clean up after your guests or try to get that buffalo wing sauce stain out of your carpet. The CDC also recommends avoiding “chanting or cheering,” activities that can cause droplets to spread further than six feet. Instead, try stomping, clapping, or using hand-held noisemakers to support your
favorite teams. Masks should be worn at all times.
VACCINES ON THE HORIZON On a positive note, two more vaccines have shown positive results in clinical studies and may be available in the next few months.
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Johnson and Johnson: This one-shot vaccine uses a weakened adenovirus (one of the viruses that cause the common cold) to introduce instructions to teach our cells to create the SARS-CoV-2 protein that prompts our immune system to remember the virus and fight it if we are infected. It cannot give you COVID-19. According to the company, the vaccine is 66% effective at preventing symptomatic disease, 85% at preventing severe illness, and 100% at preventing hospitalization and death. The company applied for Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA last evening and, if approved, may be available a month later.
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Novavax: The vaccine contains a harmless synthetically produced piece of the coronavirus that trains the immune system to recognize the virus. It does not contain the actual live virus. Like the Pfizer vaccine, it is given in two doses, 21 days apart. So far, phase 3 trials have demonstrated 89.3% efficacy. The company expects to submit data to the FDA in a couple of months and hopes to begin vaccinating by early summer.
GENOMIC SEQUENCING As the COVID-19 virus replicates and jumps from host to host, it mutates and causes genetic variations. These changes in its genome can make it more transmissible, able to cause more severe disease, and even less vulnerable to vaccines. We can keep track of these mutations by analyzing samples collected from people who test positive for the virus. This is also called genomic sequencing or genomic surveillance.
The University of Miami helps with this effort, so it is important to get tested on campus. Doing your part by adhering to masking and distancing also helps keep the virus from spreading and mutating.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RULE Starting this week, the federal government requires everyone traveling on planes, buses, trains, and other public transportation to wear masks. This includes ride-share services like Lyft or Uber. If someone refuses to wear a mask, the operator must remove the person. The CDC states that if someone near you is not wearing a mask, to notify the driver, staff, or security.
WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND DON’T SMELL THE COFFEE… The sudden loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) or taste is among the more distinct COVID-19 symptoms. Studies show that upwards of 40% of people who test positive have this symptom, and scientists hypothesize that it’s because the virus infects the cells that support the sensory neurons in the nose.
Smelling or tasting something can bring joy or cherished memories. Think about the aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, or the smell of fresh cut lemons or a warm ocean breeze. They affect our entire being and for me, make me smile. However the sense of smell is also a necessary factor that protects us. Smelling certain odors can warn you of danger like a fire or gas leak. While most get these senses back within weeks, others lose the ability for months. Some research has shown that “smell training” can help you regain your sense. This treatment involves exposing yourself to strong smells like essential oils.
If you suddenly find that you cannot smell your morning coffee or taste your peppermint toothpaste, please get tested as soon as possible. |
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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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