COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
Have you ever heard of “hitting the wall?” It’s a term marathon runners use to describe the exhaustion and strong urge to quit in the later stages of a race.
Right now, I think we are all hitting a bit of a wall and mentally tired of remaining vigilant. That little voice in your head is trying to talk you into making minor exceptions, but the finish line is so close, and you have come so far. You can’t quit now.
One of the techniques runners use to help get past the wall is visualization or focusing on the “why.” Just think about how great it will feel to be able to hug each other and gather more broadly, eventually going maskless, without having to worry about spreading a dangerous virus to your loved ones. That’s your finish line. That is “why” you’ve been wearing a mask and staying physically distanced for the past year.
It takes determination and mental toughness to push yourself past the wall and finish the race. You’re a ’Cane, so you definitely have that. I know you won’t back down.
I’ll see you across the finish line with a smile. For now, stay focused and don’t quit.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
COVID-19 DOESN’T TAKE WEEKENDS OFFSo, we can’t either. All of us must use the Daily Symptom Checker on campus, even on the weekends. The Daily Symptom Checker is an integral piece of our on-campus safety plan. It allows us to monitor any potential COVID-19 symptoms and track mandatory testing. Not only does this help stop the spread of the virus, but it also helps your fellow ’Canes feel secure in knowing that the campus is a safe place.
SPRING BREAK CROWDSPeople from all across the country have traveled here for spring break, and many are crowding together and not wearing masks. The director of the CDC made a plea to those engaging in spring break festivities to do so safely “for the sake of our nation’s health.” Because there are not statewide mask mandates or occupancy restrictions in Florida, it is up to you to practice personal responsibility. Stay away from crowds, especially indoors, even if you are masked. When you see a group of unmasked people outside, try to avoid them. If we all do our part, perhaps we can have a more normal spring break next year.
IS IT ALLERGIES OR COVID?It’s that itchy, sneezy, sniffly time of year again. This year, the pollen count is even higher than last year’s, which was already extremely high. However, since hay fever symptoms overlap quite a bit with COVID-19 symptoms, you may be concerned. Here’s how to tell the difference:
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Symptoms more common with allergies: itchy or watery eyes and sneezing
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Symptoms more common with COVID-19: fevers and chills, muscle and body aches, and new loss of taste or smell
If you are concerned about your symptoms, go ahead and get tested. It is better to be safe than sorry.
TO TRAVEL OR NOT TO TRAVELThe CDC and the University are still recommending that people avoid traveling even if they are vaccinated. Although 22% of the U.S. population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, traveling still increases the chance of spreading the virus to others.
If you still need to travel, plan and prepare to do it safely:
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Research your destination to see if there are any restrictions in place.
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Get tested 1–3 days before your trip and, if positive, delay travel and isolate.
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Wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowds while traveling.
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If there are people in your household who did not travel with you, everyone should wear masks in shared spaces for two weeks.
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Employees are responsible for returning home in sufficient time to obtain mandated testing and the 24–48 hours to receive the result. Failure to provide sufficient time for testing may result in time off without pay. Contact 305-243-ONE-U to schedule a test, making note that you have traveled.
If you are considering travel, please ensure you review the University Travel and Return to Work Policy before making plans.
COVID LONG HAULERSOften people focus on the COVID-19 death rate when they consider the risk the virus presents. Research shows that more than 10% of people have symptoms more than 60 days after testing positive for COVID. In a recent study of “COVID long haulers,” 32% of the patients were asymptomatic when they tested positive, and half of them were under the age of 50. Common symptoms included heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, and headaches—giving yet more reasons to take precautions to avoid getting COVID-19.
LOVING KINDNESSMeditation has been proven to ease stress and promote mental wellness. The same is true of kindness. Loving-kindness mediation—or Metta mediation—combines both things. To practice it, find somewhere quiet to sit, close your eyes, and take some deep breaths. Repeat these phrases silently to yourself:
May I be happy. May I be well. May I be safe. May I be peaceful and at ease.
Then, bring someone you care about into your mind and focus on them. Repeat these phrases as you do:
May you be happy. May you be well. May you be safe. May you be peaceful and at ease.
After that, you can work your way out to acquaintances or maybe even difficult people in your life.
Try it. Having a little love in your heart helps set your mind at ease.
We are still collecting stories of random acts of kindness. If you would like to share your story, please send it to COVIDCMO@miami.edu. |
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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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