COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
Starting this week, our on-campus mask guidelines have been updated to match those released by the CDC. We have taken a similar risk-related approach regarding where masks will continue to be required, such as in all of our clinical environments. Please be sure to observe the mask guidelines for each campus, Coral Gables and Marine, or
Medical.
Some people may wish to continue wearing a mask for various reasons and we should respect those decisions. A mask can only be further protective and we will continue to provide them at different locations.
As we navigate this new phase, we encourage everyone to use common sense out in public places and observe any safety measures that are in place. By following the data we have available and adapting our guidelines in response, we have successfully navigated the last two years for our ’Canes community and will continue to do so in the future.
I am here to answer any questions on these new protocols.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
RISK-BASED MASKINGEven though masks are now optional, it is important to remember that they continue to be a very effective tool to prevent COVID-19 infection. Certain people should continue masking, so we should be sensitive to those who choose to do so.
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend them for those who:
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Are immunocompromised or have immunocompromised household members.
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Have children who are not vaccinated.
The full AAP mask guidelines are helpful for those with children under five or who have special health care needs.
USCREEN PROGRAMUScreen testing will continue so that we can monitor and minimize the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. Any student who is not vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, or has not provided proof of vaccination and booster is required to take a COVID-19 test twice per week. Employees with an approved vaccine exemption must continue to test once per week. Testing site locations and hours of operation are available at coronavirus.miami.edu/testing.
BRAIN FOG According to several studies, cognitive impairment, or “brain fog,” is one of the most common symptoms reported by patients who have recovered from COVID-19. This condition is also experienced by patients with Epstein Barr, lupus, fibromyalgia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, as well as those undergoing chemotherapy. Thankfully, science does suggest that it is reversible and will ease over time. If you are experiencing brain fog from COVID, here are some things you can do to help keep your brain stimulated: get enough sleep, exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and, of course, discuss it with your doctor.
OMICRON REINFECTIONS The number of people infected with the omicron subvariant, BA.2, is growing in the United States. However, it does appear that reinfection is rare in those who have already been infected with this particular variant. Researchers in Denmark, where BA.2 is more than 88 percent of all COVID-19 cases, looked at more than two million people who tested positive for COVID-19 from late-November to mid-February. According to their analysis, “only 1,739 people had results classed as a reinfection: two positive tests separated by 20–60 days.”
UNSUNG HEROES Our female doctors, nurses, other health care technicians, researchers, and support staff have played an essential role in the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s also been the case across the globe. For instance, Hungarian-American biochemist Katalin Kariko, Ph.D., helped develop the mechanism behind mRNA vaccines. As a top scientist at the National Institutes of Health, Kizzmekia Corbett, Ph.D., was on the team that helped Moderna create the COVID-19 vaccine.
They are the tip of the iceberg. Women worldwide are the unsung heroes of this pandemic. According to the CDC, two out of every three caregivers in the U.S. are women. Many of them juggle professions, being mothers, and taking care of aging parents. As is often the case, responsibilities of childcare and homeschooling disproportionately fell on women as the pandemic heated up.
So as we enter Women’s History Month, take a moment to honor the female heroes—the heroines—in your life. Instead of being unsung heroes, sing their praises. |
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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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