COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
Our weather in South Florida tells us it is still summer, but traditional activities—such as returning to campus, the start of classes, and, of course, football, signal it is fall. We are anxious to cheer on our Miami Hurricanes as they take the field for the first home game of the season. For a second year, we as fans need to take precautions when it comes to attending games at Hard Rock or any stadium.
Whether you are vaccinated or not—and we hope you are—I recommend you wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and try to remain socially distant as much as possible. If we can work to minimize any potential spread of the virus, it will help us to have more games with fans in the stands as we go through this season. And we know we all want to cheer on our ’Canes.
Taking these same measures in all our activities, along with getting vaccinated, remains our best defense against the delta variant and any other variants that may gain traction. That’s our goal, to stop the spread. The more the virus can spread, the greater the opportunity to mutate and elude our vaccines. Right now, we have the upper hand. Our vaccines work. Let’s all get them.
For now, let’s use the weapons we have and beat this pandemic. Working together, we can win.
Go ’Canes!
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
FLU VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE NOWThis week, everyone was reminded to get their flu shot. Because it is so critical to our efforts to keep our community healthy and safe, the flu shot continues to be a University requirement for all students, faculty, and staff on all campuses.
We need to ensure that we have all our resources available to treat COVID patients, who have far more serious symptoms. Another reason is that flu and COVID symptoms can be very similar in the early stages, making detection and treatment challenging.
The good news is that you can get your flu shot and COVID vaccination at the same time, according to the CDC. To find out where you can schedule your flu shot on campus, click here.
IF YOU’RE EXPOSED TO COVID Even if you’re vaccinated and masked, it’s possible that you may be exposed to someone with COVID or may begin experiencing some coronavirus symptoms. We’re here to help.
Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses should contact the University’s COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U. Members of the Medical Campus should call 305-243-8378. UHealth physicians and providers will answer your questions and provided telemedicine if needed.
PREGNANCY, BREASTFEEDING, AND THE COVID VACCINEWe know that many women who are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the COVID vaccine for both pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Getting a vaccine can help not only you, but your child. Pregnant women have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. We have created a list of frequently asked questions and answers on this topic, which you can read here.
UNSUNG HEROES We’ve talked and written a lot about how the vaccines were developed with all the safety measures in place, just at an accelerated pace. Two female scientists from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom worked literally day and night to develop one of the vaccines—the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Their book, “Vaxxers: The Inside story of the Oxford AstraZenexa Vaccine and the Race Against the Virus,” details the painstaking work of these scientists and others to use known principles, maintain the strict scientific protocols, and lobby for needed funding—all at an unprecedented pace, and all to fight a virus that was killing thousands worldwide daily.
You can read a brief article about them, but their story is food for thought. Not only does it address the fears of many who question how the vaccines were developed so quickly, it also is inspiring. The next time we face a challenge, we might think of these scientists and their colleagues across the globe. When faced with a deadly virus, they did not falter. Instead, they got to work, didn’t take “no” for an answer, and found a solution.
APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS During these past two years of the pandemic, it’s just possible that we may have inadvertently offended someone or said something that was unintentionally (or intentionally) harsh or insensitive. We may have been hypercritical of another’s beliefs or actions. Although we all try to do the right thing, as life has been stressful, it’s not out of the human experience to be a bit rough.
Even if the offender has not yet apologized, you can forgive them. Forgiveness is an act of love. Harboring a grudge or resentment is a heavy weight to carry. If we acknowledge where we can do better and apologize, that can be helpful. But regardless, we must learn to forgive and accept each other. As Emo Philips said, “Never judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. That way when you do judge him, you’re a mile away and you have his shoes.”
Remember, always keep your sense of humor. |
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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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