It’s Up to You!

All the health experts agree…as the weather gets colder and we move more indoors, the spread of COVID-19 will escalate. Many of you are weary of the restrictions and “pandemic fatigue” is setting in. We know that sometimes it’s a challenge to follow the precautions, but they are there to keep everybody safe, and they are working. Please keep complying. What we all do in the next several months will determine if the University can stay open and if we can keep the spread of COVID-19 away from our campus. You don’t want to be the one who endangered your fellow students or your families and friends.

Cold Weather…Moving Indoors

We’ve enjoyed the freedom of being outdoors with space around us, allowing us to interact with family and friends using safe social distancing, but as the weather gets colder we’re all going to be indoors a lot more. That means we all have to be much more careful in how we gather in public and private spaces. Remember to wear your mask properly and practice social distancing even more than we have been since August.

Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going?

Going to a family celebration? Meeting with just a few friends to eat? Every time you leave campus and interact with others, the risk of transmission increases. You don’t know who may be carrying the virus or who has been in contact with someone who has been infected. You don’t know who is or is not practicing good prevention methods. Leaving your campus “bubble” means that you could bring the virus back to campus with you when you return.

Too Close!

There is less space to social distance when you are indoors, so the chance of transmission indoors is far greater than when you are outdoors!  Social distancing is more important to stopping the spread than ever. When away – particularly if you are going somewhere for Thanksgiving and are planning to come back to complete the semester – don’t gather in large groups (and that means no more than 10 people), don’t go to parties and always, always wear your mask, even with family. Encourage them to wear their masks too. When indoors, open a few windows to bring in some fresh air, which will help reduce the risk of infection.

What You Do Affects Everyone!

Better safe than sorry! Remember, many people who have the virus are asymptomatic or experience minor symptoms, but some people get very sick and require hospitalization, and you cannot know who in your family or among your friends might get dangerously ill. You don’t want to be responsible if they do. If you don’t think that those who you might be visiting are practicing safe health measures, don’t visit them!

Drinking Alcohol

Remember, drinking alcohol can cloud anyone’s judgment and increase risky behaviors. In the middle of a pandemic, in the middle of the academic year, you cannot afford to make mistakes. Don’t go to bars, parties or other places where you might let your guard down and be exposed.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed?

Be sure to complete Hawk Check every day. Do it the night before so that it can be checked before coming to campus. Residents as well as commuters need to do Hawk Check daily.  Completing it before going to bed means staff can check on you in the morning if necessary.

If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 do not come to campus. If you are a resident, stay in your room and complete the Hawk Check self assessment. During normal business hours, contact the University Health Center at: 973-655-3459.

View the CDC guidelines if you suspect you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

FREE On-Campus Flu Clinic

Preventative measures are especially important right now. Since some of the symptoms are the same, you may find yourself asking, is it fall allergies, a cold, COVID-19 or the flu? You minimize the chances of it being the flu by getting a flu shot.

You can receive the vaccine at your local pharmacy, your personal physician’s office or at our on-campus FREE flu clinic (open to all members of the campus community):

Flu Clinic Dates & Times

The University Health Center is sponsoring FREE on-campus clinics, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., on the following dates:

• Monday, November 2, Student Center, Ballrooms
• Tuesday, November 3, Student Center, Ballrooms
• Wednesday, November 11, Student Center, Ballrooms
• Thursday, November 12, Student Center, Ballrooms
• Tuesday, November 17, Clove Road Apartments

Please make an appointment ahead of time to help with scheduling: View Appointment Form.

Walk-ins are welcome, while flu shots last.

Pandemic Fatigue

We all wish the COVID pandemic was over. We’re tired of wearing masks, social distancing and not being able to do everything we want to do! We really understand! But letting our fatigue cloud our judgement and actions is very dangerous, to us and everyone around us. Know the signs of pandemic fatigue. Learn what you can do to overcome them.

Together we can stop the spread!