COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
I hope everyone had a restful and joyous holiday and is starting the new year with a positive outlook. The sentiment that is top of mind as we enter 2022 is that the only constant is change. We all hoped that we would begin the new year differently. But, with omicron driving a surge in cases, we must adapt to ensure that we are not spreading the virus on campus and in our community.
As you know, for students we are starting the spring semester with remote classes. In-person classes will start Jan. 31. We are also recommitting to some of the tried-and-true precautions of COVID-19.
To that end, you will notice that this newsletter has many topics discussed before—boosters, masks, quarantine, testing, and remote-work tips. There are a few updates, so please make sure to read through them.
We’re hosting a virtual town hall for faculty, staff, students, and parents from the Coral Gables and Marine campuses on Monday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m. President Frenk, other University leaders, and I will be on hand to answer your questions; you can register here. Nearly 450 people attended the Medical Campus town hall last evening.
Remember, while it may feel like we are moving backward, we have so many more tools at our disposal than last year. For most who are fully vaccinated, which includes a booster, omicron appears to cause mostly mild illness with fewer hospitalizations. On the other hand, those who are not vaccinated are at a much greater risk of severe disease due to COVID-19.
I am here to address your questions or concerns.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
BOOSTERSWe have updated our definition of “fully vaccinated” to include receiving the appropriate booster shot once you are eligible. (Those who are vaccinated but are not yet eligible for a booster shot are considered fully vaccinated until they reach their booster eligibility date.) You must be at least two weeks past receiving your final vaccine dose and appropriate booster shot to be considered “fully vaccinated,”or as the CDC states, “up-to-date vaccinated.”
COVID-19 case data shows that getting a booster offers enhanced protection against COVID-19 infections. For instance, according to a study of more than 850,000 people, participants who did not receive a booster had a 90% greater risk of death due to COVID-19 than those who did. Also, the frequency of confirmed infection was much lower in those boosted. Because of this, the CDC announced a few changes to boosters just this week:
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The recommendation for boosters now includes 12-15-year-olds. Local pharmacies and physicians’ offices began offering them to this age group yesterday.
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The recommended time between the second dose (Moderna and Pfizer) and booster dose was changed to five months.
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A booster is recommended for 5-11-year-olds who are moderate to severely immunocompromised. For more information on who that pertains to, visit the CDC website and speak with your pediatrician.
MASKSOn the Coral Gables and Marine campuses, masks continue to be mandatory in all indoor public and common spaces and are strongly encouraged outdoors in group settings. Single-layer cloth masks are not considered protective against the omicron variant. Surgical masks or multi-layered, tightly woven cloth masks should be used. Masks should fit snugly, cover nose and mouth, and preferably have an adjustable wire nose bridge. Surgical masks will be available at various on-campus locations.
Due to increased transmissibility, all patient-facing faculty and staff should wear N95 masks in all work settings. The masks are available at all nursing stations, and we have established “fit testing” stations to ensure your N95 mask fits properly. Employees at satellite locations can call 305-243-7979 to schedule a fit test. Employees at hospital-based clinics can contact their safety officer to coordinate times. Researchers can get fit tested at Dominion Tower, #405, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 305-243-3400 to make an appointment.
The CDC offers guidance on the most effective masks and how to wear them.
QUARANTINE/ISOLATIONWe have also updated our quarantine/isolation protocols to match CDC guidelines. As a reminder, quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected; isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms. |
TESTING (For Coral Gables and Marine Campuses)Regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 diagnosis, all students will be required to complete a negative PCR or antigen test no more than 72 hours before their initial arrival to campus following the winter recess. Students must provide proof of the negative test result using this form: https://umiamicx.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e9zHCWkBBY0Obhs
In addition, all resident students, regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 diagnosis, will be required to test again immediately upon check-in to their on-campus housing location.
Students who do not show proof of vaccination are required to take a COVID-19 test twice per week, and employees who receive a vaccine exemption must take a test once a week.
Information regarding location and hours for on-campus UScreen/surveillance testing, as well as symptomatic/close-contact testing, can be found at https://coronavirus.miami.edu/testing/.
TIPS FOR REMOTE WORKSome of us are back to working remotely for a little while. Though we’ve been doing this off and on for more than 18 months, we could all use a refresher. Here are a few tips and reminders to help get you through it:
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While it may sound fantastic to stay in your pajamas, changing into day clothes makes it easier to get into a work mindset.
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Create a space dedicated to work. This can help you stay focused during working hours.
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Just because you don’t have to leave the “office” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. We all need a healthy balance.
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Eat healthy, hydrate, and move around. It’s easy to sit in front of your computer for hours. So, you should schedule time in your day to eat a healthy meal. Get up and stretch and move around several times a day. Also, keep a bottle of water at your desk.
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Despite all the jokes, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are useful tools for keeping us connected. We might not be in-person, but we are face-to-face.
Now is the time to counteract “amygdala hijack” and build on our strengths as a University community, build something together that we cannot do separately. Keep your eye on the “ball” and let’s get past this pandemic soon. |
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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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