COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
YOU at the U are totally inspiring to me. The response by our students, faculty, and staff to combat COVID fatigue has been extraordinary. The diligence of masking and social distancing and using the daily symptom checker has been encouraging evidence that we can and will succeed our efforts to keep our campus open.
With strict adherence to the rules outlined by President Frenk, this past week has resulted in a tangible decrease in the incidence of positive COVID cases on campus. It’s important that we continue to be vigilant in our actions, wearing masks, practicing distancing, and washing hands frequently. We are excited as this coming week we will be rolling out the breathalyzer surveillance platform at specific sites on the Coral Gables Campus. This will put us at the forefront in our safety efforts, making the U among the first universities to utilize the advanced technology to enhance our ability to provide a safe and protected environment to our community.
Similarly, it’s important that we all reaffirm our commitment to the standards that have permitted us to provide a safe, on-campus experience by taking the updated COVID-19 “We Are One U” module, as requested by the provost.
Responding as we have done demonstrates the resilience that is a hallmark of being a Miami Hurricane.
As always, I am here to support you as needed.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
STUDENTS AND TESTINGLast week we had a spike in cases and had to put more stringent protocols in place. Although the numbers are down this week, we have added more preventive measures to ensure that our campuses remain safe. Student COVID-19 testing compliance is now updated in near real-time on the daily symptom checker. We have also increased the number of staff members who are checking for the “Good to Go” status for those who are on campus. Students who are non-compliant with the weekly testing mandate will not be cleared to return to campus and will no longer have access to academic buildings.
Please be aware that testing at the Pavia Garage is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday for your weekly test. Students who have symptoms or are worried about exposure should contact Student Health Services at 305-284-9100 for additional test opportunities.
MASKING CORRECTLY PROTECTS YOU AND ME There have been a few cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID variant on campus. This is the more transmissible variant that was first discovered in the United Kingdom. Thus, it is more important than ever that we wear masks when we are in public. Wearing the right type of mask the correct way offers the most protection for everyone. Generally, you should wear a mask that fits snugly around your nose and chin.
Some guidelines:
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DO NOT wear gaiters, or masks with exhalation valves or vents.
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DO NOT wear masks with gaps around the side of the face or nose.
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DO wear cloth masks with a nose wire, multiple layers of breathable fabric, and blocks light when held up to a bright light source.
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DO wear disposable masks that have a nose wire and multiple layers of non-woven fabric.
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BE AWARE that 60% of KN95 masks in the United States are counterfeit and do not meet CDC requirements.
A few techniques you can use to make sure a mask fits properly around your face are to tie the ear loops close to the mask and tuck in the pleats, use a small hair clip to hold the ear loops at the back of your head, or use a mask fitter or brace over the mask.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES There is a lot of attention paid to the vaccines, but also important are the therapeutics that we are using to keep people who have contracted COVID-19 from getting severely ill. One of those treatments is monoclonal antibodies, which are proteins that behave in the same way our antibodies function when fighting an infection. They attach themselves to different SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins that help the coronavirus enter human cells and replicate itself. Scientists believe these antibodies prevent the virus from reproducing.
DRIVING SAFELY A confined space like a personal vehicle can lead to an increased risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. That’s why it is preferable to avoid riding in cars with people outside of your household. However, if it is necessary, these tips can lower the risk:
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Wear a mask and open all the windows.
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Limit the people in the car to two and sit as far apart as possible. For instance, the passenger should sit in the rear right-hand seat.
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Interestingly, a study on car airflow shows that having the front-left and rear-right windows open does not offer as much ventilation as having the front-right and left-rear windows open or having three windows open.
“STUPID CUPID STOP PICKING ON ME” Sunday is Valentine’s Day, a day that is associated with love and affection. Remember this year, love and kindness of any type is appreciated.
I recently read an article about a teacher who remembers receiving a Valentine’s Day card when she was in elementary school from a boy she had a crush on when she was young. She flipped the card over, and her heart sank as she read, “To the ugliest girl in the class.” Instead of becoming cynical, she now asks her students to write positive cards even to classmates they do not know.
Perhaps we can think of Valentine’s Day as a reminder to help those around us to not be lonely. Performing acts of kindness can go a long way in lifting the spirits of not only the recipient but the giver. Make a homemade card for those you love, and even for those you don’t know but see every day, like the grocery store clerk. Not only is this safe for COVID, but it's also fun to tap into your inner 10-year-old.
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate safely. Don’t spread COVID-19; spread kindness instead.
CHOCOLATE AND THE IMMUNE FACTORY One of the more iconic gifts for Valentine’s Day is a large, heart-shaped box of chocolates. Did you know that eating this yummy treat also has positive effects on the immune system? Many studies have reported cocoa can reduce cytokines, which are small proteins secreted by immune cells, which cause inflammation and can contribute to severity of COVID-19 illness. In particular, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, including a flavanol called epicatechin, which fights inflammation and protects against cell damage.
However, remember to eat in moderation and consider the fat and sugar content. Minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa content will give you the most health benefits. |
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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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