Barton College Coronavirus Response Update 2

Members of the Barton College Community,

The health and safety of our students and employees is a top priority for Barton College. We are working closely with the Wilson County Health Department in actively monitoring the situation in North Carolina and beyond, while preparing to respond according to guidelines and directives by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At this time, the College is continuing normal operations and following the directives of the Wilson County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

None of the College’s current study abroad or spring break travel trips were held at a destination with a current travel advisory or restriction. We continue to advise the campus community to follow CDC direction if you are planning any upcoming domestic or international travel.

An email with the above information, as well as specific protocol for residential and commuting students and employees who may experience symptoms of COVID-19, was shared with the campus community on March 4, 2020. This message also was posted on the Barton College website. And, another email message of similar content was sent to Barton parents of current students on March 4. We reiterate that messaging below as a reminder today.

Barton College has created a Coronavirus Task Force, with a cross-campus membership, to meet regularly. Jennifer High, Executive Director of Student Health Services/Coordinator of Health Promotion and Education at Barton College, leads this task force.

Barton College’s Facility Services team has a regimented schedule for cleaning campus facilities and has plenty of cleaning supplies on hand. Posters from the CDC website, with advice about how to stop the spread of germs, have been distributed across campus, and the Barton Health Services Center has also posted them on its Instagram page and on the Barton App. (This poster is also attached below.)

The College also is discussing a distance-learning option should there be a need to cancel in-seat classes this semester. The Wilson County Health Department will advise the College if this is necessary. The Culinary Center, run by AVI Fresh, is prepared with sufficient food service supplies and will follow its protocol set by AVI’s Department of Safety for food preparation. Food delivery will be available to any students who would need to be quarantined. Barton College’s Health Services Center also is equipped with personal protective equipment that ensures the safety for the health staff employees as well as Barton students.

The College has a number of public events planned for the spring semester. Should any of those events need to be canceled, plans are in place to share that information efficiently and quickly. The first place to confirm details of upcoming events will be the Barton College website.  The College will continue to email and post updates to the campus community, including specific directives for action and decisions regarding campus operations, as needed.

We will discuss Barton’s proactive response to the coronavirus at the upcoming Faculty and Staff Assemblies scheduled for Wednesday, March 11.

Questions

Students should contact Joe Dlugos, Dean of Student Life, at jadlugos@barton.edu with any questions. Employees should direct their questions to Vicky Morris, AVP for Human Resources, at vamorris@barton.edu.

Thank you,

Kathy Daughety

Office of Public Relations

 

REMINDER INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS ALERT

Symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath

If You Experience Any Symptoms

Residential Students

• Stay in your residence hall room and do not go to class, the Culinary Center, or other spaces on campus.  The College will make arrangements to deliver Culinary Services meals to you.
• Call the Student Health Center at 252-399-6397 Monday-Friday between 9am and 4pm, and they will advise you on resources and next steps.  If you experience symptoms after hours or over the weekend, please call the Professional On-Call Staff Member at 252-289-7993.
• If you have not already called the Student Health Center, send an email to healthcenter@barton.edu to have Health Services’ staff determine if communication to your faculty members about class absences is appropriate.

Commuting Students

• Stay home and do not come to campus.
• Call your primary healthcare physician and they will advise you on resources and next steps.
• Email the Student Health Center at healthcenter@barton.edu to have Health Services’ staff determine if communication to your faculty members about class absences is appropriate.

Employees

• Stay home and do not come to campus.
• Call your primary healthcare physician and they will advise you on resources and next steps.
• Inform your supervisor that you will be away from the office and return when your physician has confirmed you are well.
• Email the Student Health Center at healthcenter@barton.edu or contact Vicky Morris, AVP for Human Resources, at vamorris@barton.edu or 252-399-6330 to inform them of your physician’s instructions.

Barton College will follow appropriate protocols to protect confidentiality while promoting community welfare.

Prevention

As the CDC notes, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• 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 are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.)
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• The CDC does not recommend that people who are not exhibiting symptoms wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).