Hey, did you know Spring Break officially starts Monday?
Yeah, rhetorical question. You’re already counting down the seconds until your last class.
Nine days away from the stress of school. Exams. Huh? Textbooks. What are those? Research papers? Never heard of ’em.
Beach. Mountains. Home. Here we come.
But—yeah, sorry, there’s a but.
Coronavirus. Even though your chances of getting coronavirus are slim, and the CDC says it shouldn’t affect most travel plans, you still need to take precautions.
Precaution No. 1: Wash your hands. Often. Thoroughly.
More coronavirus precautions:
- Avoid close contact with people who appear to be sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
And coronavirus isn’t the only real-world situation to remember, even if you’re just Spring Breaking at home.
Same as you’d use sunscreen at the beach and you wouldn’t go skydiving without a parachute—be safe and smart, however you enjoy your break.
We want you back, safe and sound and ready for the rest of the semester.
Do professors have to excuse absences for sick students? Some people do not have insurance or the money to go to the doctor and obtain a note. Does the nursing office on campus perform flu tests?
I am wondering if the University of Tennessee Chattanooga will be conducting any sanitation efforts over the break. Mayor Strickland of Memphis issued a statement saying that businesses and such should do an aggressive top to bottom clean of public spaces immediately and routinely. I do not know what the Chattanooga local government has said, but I am concerned because a lot of students will likely be returning to Nashville, namely Williamson County. And there was only one case, and the gentleman has isolated himself, but if the school could take initiative in public spaces I believe the University would benefit. High traffic areas like the UTC Housing hallways and elevators, the Library, and the UC would be very smart areas to take preventative action in light of this spread. Thank you for your time.
In addition to any executing any preventative measures, does the university have a plan on how they will function if an outbreak should happen? As a concerned parent, I would like to know what that plan is. Thank you.
Is there a thought of closing like other schools are doing?