We recommend masking and avoiding any contact with others, except to seek medical care. Contact your professors directly to notify them of your absence.

Summary of What to Do:

1. Students do not have to notify the Health Center of a positive covid test. You may contact the Student Health Center for any health-related questions.
2. Students who test positive for Covid are encouraged to isolate until they have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
3. The University is not moving residential students or roommates to isolation or quarantine spaces.
4. Notify your professors of your absence. The Student Health Center will not contact professors regarding Covid-19 test results.
5. Refer to the CDC Guidelines if you have any additional questions.

I Have Been Exposed to COVID, Now What?

If you were exposed (no symptoms) to the virus that causes COVID or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, you should do the following:

1. Wear a mask
2. Monitor for symptoms of illness
3. Test for Covid based on CDC Guidelines. The Student Health Center has at-home Covid tests for students.

If you are sick….

Students who are sick can contact the Student Health Center who will advise you about managing your symptoms and evaluate your need for an appointment.

As a reminder, stay home anytime you are sick – whether it’s COVID-19, the flu, or another illness.

Prevention

It is important to practice key prevention strategies to avoid illness. Practicing proper hand hygiene, staying up to date with Covid-19 vaccines and, when possible, keeping your distance from individuals who are sick or tested positive will help lessen the severity of Covid-19 and help stop the spread of the virus.

Class Absence

The Student Health Center does not provide excuse notes for class absences.  Please contact your professors to determine how to address missed classes.

The Weekly COVID Newsletter provides the latest information about COVID-19 for the University community. It will be published on Fridays throughout the semester.

Understanding Quarantine and Isolation
An important way to reduce the spread of the virus is to keep people who are sick or have been exposed to the virus away from other people. When someone has COVID-19, they are placed in “isolation” for a minimum of 10 days, which is typically how long it takes to recover.

When someone does not have symptoms but is at risk of becoming infected because they were in close contact with a COVID-19 patient, they are placed in “quarantine” for 14 days. Quarantine is an important precaution because someone who has been exposed may be carrying the virus and spreading it to others without knowing it. If you’d like to learn more about how isolation and quarantine are done on our campus, visit this guide for residential students published on the Residence Life website.

Question of the Week

Q. Should I dry my hands using a paper towel or an air dryer?

The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization say that both paper towels and air dryers are effective ways to dry your hands. Because germs spread more easily on wet or damp hands, it’s important to thoroughly wash your hands and dry them completely. The method you use to dry them does not matter.
On campus, we have hygienic Dyson Airblade air dryers, which use HEPA filters and high-pressure air to dry hands in 10-14 seconds, scraping the water from the hands like a windshield wiper. According to Dyson, the HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of bacteria and virus particles from the air intake before blowing their air onto the hands, and the Airblade uses up to 80% less energy than conventional hand dryers.

University Facilities has also provided hand sanitizer at each restroom entrance so you can also sanitize your hands before you enter or on your way out, after washing and drying your hands, if you have any concerns.

If you have a concern about a specific restroom, please contact the Service Desk (973-655-5444) or submit a work order at .

Hawk Check Reminder
Remember to do every time you come to campus, 6 to 14 hours before you plan to arrive. It only takes a minute, and you can do it from your home computer or smartphone. If you receive the message to stay home, please do so and expect a call from Occupational Health to discuss your symptoms. Hawk Check helps to keep the virus off campus, and using it is mandatory.

If you come to campus and realize that you forgot to do it, simply do it then and there, and if the app advises you to stay home, then avoid others and go home as soon as possible.

If you have already done it, but you become sick before you come to campus, do it again, and stay home.

Flu Shots Still Available on Campus
The University’s flu shot clinics have been very popular this fall and have already provided no-cost immunizations to 730 people, more than three times as many in a typical year, said Patricia Ruiz, University Health Center Director.

“During a pandemic people can feel helpless, but getting a flu shot is something you have the power to do,” says Ruiz. “It protects you, your family, your classmates and professors, and everyone you come in contact with.” There are two more clinics scheduled on campus, on October 21 and 27, or get your flu shot at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. Together, we have the power to protect each other.

For More Information
For more detailed information about �鶹��ý����’s response to the pandemic, please visit the Red Hawk Restart website, which has links to our 70-page restart plan, to Hawk Check, and many other resources. The Restart FAQs site has answers to frequently asked questions about health, technology, facilities and human resources topics, and the University Health Center’s COVID-19 site offers resources for health and wellness, a weekly report of known cases on campus, and information about how you can get tested.

You can also email restart-related questions to reopen@montclair.edu or health-related questions to coronavirus@montclair.edu.

Good News – ICYMI
While the pandemic has kept us from doing some of the things we love, like going to the movies, at least we can still go virtually. The �鶹��ý���� Film Festival opens online tonight and runs through next week. Be sure to catch our top BFA filmmaking students in the “” program as well other films connected with the University such as , a documentary directed by recent graduate Mackenzie Robertson that features Justice Studies Professor Jessica Henry; , a documentary following the Shanghai String Quartet, which makes its home at the John J. Cali School of Music; and , a documentary by Soledad O’Brien, shot in part on campus that tells the story of four college students facing hunger and homelessness.

Thank you for reading the Weekly COVID Newsletter, a production of the Office of University Communications & Marketing. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Vice President Joseph Brennan, brennanjos@montclair.edu.

The University Health Center has become aware of two new confirmed cases this week. Both are commuter students. They are both currently in isolation and recovering.

One student’s contact tracing was handled by the local health department for the town in which the person resides. The other student’s close contacts have been notified by the University Health Center and placed in quarantine, as required by our policy.

These new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases on campus since the start of the fall semester to 26 (24 students, two employees). Of those, two persons are currently in isolation and recovering. All the others have completed isolation, recovered and been cleared to return to campus.

University Health Center Director Patricia Ruiz reminds all members of the campus community that they are required to follow the general safeguards to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including wearing face coverings (covering both the mouth and nose), observing social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.

Students, faculty and staff must complete Hawk Check 6 to 14 hours before coming to campus, and no one may come to campus if they are sick or exposed to COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.

Anyone who becomes aware of a potential case should encourage the person to complete Hawk Check, and may also share that information confidentially with the University Health Center through the Rave Guardian app or by sending an email to Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu.

The Weekly COVID Newsletter provides the latest information about COVID-19 for the University community. It will be published on Fridays throughout the semester.

COVID Testing
The University has been routinely testing students and employees in high contact programs since the start of the semester. Performing arts students and faculty are divided into two cohorts, who are not on campus at the same time. Each cohort is tested every 14 days. Student-athletes and the employees who work closely with them are tested before each team begins its group practices. Routine random testing was recently expanded to the residence halls, including both students and staff.

The University’s testing program uses PCR nasal swab tests, which are considered highly reliable. As of October 6, the University has administered 2,007 tests since the beginning of the semester (1,944 to students and 63 to employees). Those tests have detected 11 cases among students, and no cases among employees, a positivity rate of 0.55%. A new website will soon be created that will allow interested individuals to view weekly updates of the numbers of tests administered and the positivity rate.

“Regular surveillance testing serves as an important early warning system. It allows us to move quickly to reduce the risk of spreading the virus if someone is found to be infected,” says Patricia Ruiz, Director of the University Health Center. “However, testing by itself is not enough. All of us must continue to wear face masks, practice social distancing, do Hawk Check every time before coming to campus, keep our hands clean and stay home whenever we are sick. The University has made these precautions mandatory because they are our best defense against COVID-19.”

Did You Do Hawk Check Today?
Every time you come to campus, do 6 to 14 hours before you plan to arrive. It only takes a minute, and you can do it from your home computer or smartphone. If you receive the message to stay home, please do so and expect a call from Occupational Health to discuss your symptoms. Hawk Check helps to keep the virus off campus, and its use is mandatory. If you come to campus and realize that you forgot to do it, simply do it then and there, and if the app advises you to stay home, then avoid others and go home as soon as possible.

Get the new Statewide COVID-19 App
Some 140,000 people are already using the new smartphone app from the NJ Department of Health, which can alert you if you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Consider adding this app to your phone, and please tell your friends and family about it. The more people who have it, the better it will work.

Question of the Week

Q. How well are the University’s buildings ventilated?

“All of our buildings have good ventilation, thanks to the high proportion of outside air we can use and the frequent turnover rates. We are bringing in a minimum of 33% outside air, and the entire air supply in every building is turned over at least 6 times per hour. In addition, we have upgraded the air filters to MERV-13,” says Shawn Connolly, Vice President for University Facilities.

The air handling systems in CELS, as well as in the labs and classrooms in Science Hall, were constructed to bring in 100% outside air. And, Connolly points out, our HVAC systems were designed to serve a much larger number of people than are currently using our buildings, meaning there’s an ample supply of fresh, clean, filtered air. For more information about building ventilation and air filtration, please visit the Facilities FAQ page.

For More Information
For more detailed information about �鶹��ý����’s response to the pandemic, please visit the Red Hawk Restart website, which has links to our 70-page restart plan, to Hawk Check, and many other resources. The Restart FAQs site has answers to frequently asked questions about health, technology, facilities and human resources topics, and the University Health Center’s COVID-19 site offers resources for health and wellness, a weekly report of known cases on campus, and information about how you can get tested.

You can also email restart-related questions to reopen@montclair.edu or health-related questions to coronavirus@montclair.edu.

Good News – ICYMI
Students are grateful for the efforts faculty and staff are making to provide them with the best experience possible under the circumstances. Student journalist Anton Specht penned an appreciative recently. “�鶹��ý���� did not have to give us the opportunity to remain on campus and feel like real college students again,” Specht wrote. “The university understands the majority of its students want to be here and want that college experience. They’ve done a tremendous job accommodating all of us through a myriad of ways.” Check it out. You’ll enjoy the accompanying illustration by Danielle DeRosa, too.

Thank you for reading the Weekly COVID Newsletter, a production of the Office of University Communications & Marketing. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Vice President Joseph Brennan, brennanjos@montclair.edu

The University Health Center has become aware of six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 this week. All are students. One person has already completed the mandatory isolation period and has recovered, and that others are currently recovering in isolation. Everyone is doing well.

The close contacts of all five students have been notified and placed in quarantine, as required by our policy.

These new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases on campus since the start of the fall semester to 24 (22 students, two employees). Of those, five are currently in isolation and recovering. The remaining 19 people have completed isolation, recovered and been cleared to return to campus.

University Health Center Director Patricia Ruiz reminds all members of the campus community that they are required to follow the general safeguards to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including wearing face coverings (covering both your mouth and nose), observing social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.

Students, faculty and staff must complete Hawk Check 6 to 14 hours before coming to campus, and no one may come to campus if they are sick or exposed to COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.

Anyone who becomes aware of a potential case should encourage the person to complete Hawk Check, and may also share that information confidentially with the University Health Center through the Rave Guardian app or by sending an email to Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu.

The Weekly COVID Newsletter provides the latest information about COVID-19 for the University community. It will be published on Fridays throughout the semester.

Mask Policy Updated
Face coverings are now required in all shared workspaces.
The University has updated its policy about face coverings. Employees are now required to wear masks in all indoor shared spaces. Previously, employees who work in open-plan offices were allowed to remove their face covering when seated at their workstation and able to remain at least 6 feet away from other people. Based on the most current scientific information and assessments of the external environment, this exception is no longer allowed and employees must keep their face masks on in those settings. Remember, wearing a mask slows the spread of the virus and protects all of us.

COVID Testing on Campus
The University has been regularly testing students in high-contact areas, including Athletics and the performing arts. As of Sept. 30, nearly 1,800 tests have been administered. The testing program is being expanded to include regular random testing of residence hall students and residence hall staff.

Get your Flu Shot Now
It is always a good idea to get a flu shot every fall, and during the pandemic it is even more important, so that the health care system is not overwhelmed by an influenza epidemic at the same time as COVID-19. Flu vaccinations are available at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy, and they are covered by health insurance. �鶹��ý���� is offering eight flu shot clinics on campus this month, including four completely free clinics for the uninsured.

Do your Hawk Check
It is important to do 6 to 14 hours before every time you come to campus. It only takes a minute, and you can do it from your home computer or smartphone. If you receive the message to stay home, please do so and expect a call from Occupational Health to ask about your symptoms. Hawk Check helps to keep the virus off campus, and its use is mandatory.

New App Aids in Contact Tracing
The State of New Jersey released a new smartphone app that can alert you if you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. �鶹��ý���� students helped test the app before the NJ Department of Health released it. Consider adding this to your phone, and please tell your friends and family about it. The more people who have it, the better it will work.

Question of the Week

Q. What can I say to someone who isn’t wearing their mask or not keeping their social distance from me?

“If you’re crossing paths with someone, especially outdoors, but even in a large classroom building hallway, that might not be a time when it’s important to give unsolicited advice about mask-wearing,” says Amanda Birnbaum, professor and chair of Public Health. “On the other hand, if you’re in an indoor setting, or even an outdoor setting where you are going to be within six feet of someone for 10 minutes or more, that’s the time to mobilize.

“What we know from health behavior research is that messages are most effective when they are respectful, empathetic, and specific,” says Birnbaum. “So instead of, ‘hey buddy, mask up!’ try something like, ‘I know masks are awkward’ or ‘I’m sweating in my own mask.’ And then make a respectful request.”

Read more tips for handling this thorny problem in the University News Center.

Good News, in case you missed it
Our student musicians have been making the national and local news for their innovative use of the Red Hawk Parking Deck as an outdoor rehearsal space. Check out this clip from of the University Singers performing the “Hallelujah Chorus”. As Hoda Kotb says, “they sound like angels.”

Thank you for reading the Weekly COVID Newsletter, a production of the Office of University Communications & Marketing. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Vice President Joseph Brennan, brennanjos@montclair.edu.

Eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported this week. Seven are students and one is an employee. All are isolating and doing well.

Their close contacts are being notified and placed in quarantine, as required by our policy.

These new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases on campus since the start of the fall semester to 18 (16 students, two employees).

University Health Center Director Patricia Ruiz reminds all members of the campus community that they are required to follow the general safeguards to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including wearing face coverings (covering both your mouth and nose), observing social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.

Students, faculty and staff must complete Hawk Check 6 to 14 hours before coming to campus, and no one may come to campus if they are sick or exposed to COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.

Anyone who becomes aware of a potential case should encourage the person to complete Hawk Check, and may also share that information confidentially with the University Health Center through the Rave Guardian app or by sending an email to Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu.

Two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported. Both are residential students who tested positive on Thursday, September 17.

One is isolating on campus. The other is isolating at home and has not been on campus since September 17. Both students are doing well.

All of their close contacts have been notified and placed in quarantine, as required by our policy.

These new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases on campus since the start of the fall semester to ten (nine students, one employee).

University Health Center Director Patricia Ruiz recommends that all members of the campus community continue to enjoy the outdoors while the weather remains pleasant, follow the general safeguards to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including wearing face coverings (covering both your mouth and nose), observing social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and completing the daily Hawk Check self-screening application before coming to the campus.

Anyone who becomes aware of a potential case should encourage the person to complete Hawk Check, and may also share that information confidentially with the University Health Center through the Rave Guardian app or by sending an email to Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu.

As I walk through campus, I am pleased to see you wearing your face coverings and keeping your social distance while enjoying conversations with friends and colleagues. For all of the strength you have shown, and your compliance with measures we have put into place, I thank you. I am pleased to report that the reopening of campus is going well, but each of us must continue to be vigilant to keep COVID-19 rates low. We all must take an active role in prevention and mitigation efforts.

As we begin to move indoors in the days and weeks ahead, I wanted to provide you with a few reminders about things you can do that help protect yourself, your friends, your loved ones, and everyone at the University.

Face Coverings

Face coverings help to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. The basic rule for when you are on campus is: wear a face covering at all times unless you are able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other people.

• Indoors: Wear a face covering in all indoor public and shared spaces, including classrooms, meeting rooms, labs and study areas. If you are an employee who works in an open-plan office, you can remove your face covering when sitting at your desk and you are able to keep at least 6 feet apart from others.
• Outdoors: A face covering is suggested, but is only required outdoors when you cannot keep at least 6 feet away from other people.
• Materials: Face coverings should be made of multiple layers. Experts recommend that the covering be made of cloth that is tightly woven, but paper masks are acceptable as long as they have more than one layer. Do not use loosely-knit fabrics, like a T-shirt. Use an actual mask, not a neck gaiter or bandana. Studies have shown that they do not provide as much protection as a mask.  Face shields are not a substitute for masks.
• Accommodations: If you are not able to wear a face covering because of a disability, employees may request an accommodation through the Director of Employee Benefits and students may ask for one through the Disability Resource Center.

For all the details, see the “general safeguards” section of the Red Hawk Restart website.

Flu Shots

Help stop the spread of influenza this winter by getting your flu shot now. We will have four flu shot clinics on campus in the next few weeks. You can also get your vaccination from your healthcare provider or a local pharmacy. Please encourage your coworkers and family members to take this simple step to help protect all of us.

Ventilation

The Facilities team has added more information about ventilation in our buildings to their Restart FAQs, including details about filtration and the volume of outside air that is brought into our buildings, and the rate of air exchange. Please take a moment to learn about this important information.

For more information about our restart plan, please visit the Red Hawk Restart website, or send an email to reopen@montclair.edu. For more information about the health and wellness aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the COVID-19 resources website or send an email to coronavirus@montclair.edu.

Finally, please remember to do your Hawk Check 6-14 hours before coming to campus, and to stay home if you are not feeling well.

As always, I am here to be helpful to you in any way I can. I appreciate all that you do every day to keep our campus safe and healthy.  Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Patricia Ruiz, DNP, APN
Director, University Health Center and EMS

Four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported. All are students, and all are isolating and doing well.

Specifically:

• Two residential students tested positive on Thursday, September 10.
• One residential student and one commuter student tested positive on Tuesday, September 15.

The commuter student has not been on campus since Monday, September 14.

All of their close contacts have been notified and placed in quarantine, as required by our policy.

These new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases on campus since the start of the fall semester to eight (seven students, one employee).

University Health Center Director Patricia Ruiz recommends that all members of the campus community continue to follow the general safeguards to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including wearing face coverings, observing social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and completing the daily Hawk Check self-screening application before coming to the campus.

Anyone who becomes aware of a potential case should encourage the person to complete Hawk Check, and may also share that information confidentially with the University Health Center through the Rave Guardian app or by sending an email to Patricia Ruiz at ruizp@montclair.edu.