Fall free time: stay socially connected, physically distant

Fall free time: stay socially connected, physically distant

Share
 
October 9, 2020
This Monday brings the first of many traditional fall and winter days when we may be off from school and work. We all need these breaks for well-being. However, New Jersey’s COVID-19 numbers are rising again, partly because of more indoor activity and casual contact in social and family gatherings.
 
Through contact tracing, we can follow viral spread. And while global health expert Dr. Deborah Birx commended Rowan’s community for all that we’re doing to protect each other, she warned that some of our greatest challenges lie ahead this fall and winter. Here’s what we all need to keep in mind:
  • Communal spread—with friends and family—is risky because we assume everyone has been careful. If one person is infected, a long weekend at home or even a few hours together can make many people virus carriers, even if they show no symptoms.

  • Casual contact can be unsafe, especially if you’re near someone for more than 15 minutes at less than six feet distance. Wearing a mask is critical, especially when you’re with people outside your “bubble” or “pod.”

  • We will continue to make decisions based on science, public health knowledge and our virus metrics, with health and safety as our priority. For the most recent virtual COVID status update sessions, view the recordings for students and employees online.

  • Every time our positive cases go up, Rowan community life is in jeopardy. We are continually monitoring our public health. A late-October/early November outbreak of COVID-19 could significantly change how we finish this semester and the school year.
We want to stay together at Rowan. We want to maintain safe in-person instruction and activity. We are eager to increase these options when it makes sense.
 
Until then, please enjoy time off and keep safe. A day when we change our careful routines and let down our guards can be dangerous.
  
Tony Lowman
Provost
 
Kevin Koett
Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students
 
Scott Woodside
Director, Wellness Center