COVID-19 Checkup

November 19, 2020

SHSU Community,

You’ve heard this before. Health experts worry that increased travel and mingling over Thanksgiving and into the December holidays could exacerbate an already dangerous situation, especially in our state. As we near the end of the Fall semester, what should you do?

 Be part of the solution.

During this holiday season, think about meeting virtually, celebrating only with those in your households, having carefully planned gatherings with face coverings and social distancing, or getting together only with those in your “holiday bubble.” Agree on a location, preferably with some outdoor space. Make sure that everyone in your holiday bubble pledges to follow strict health precautions, self-quarantine if possible, get tested for the virus and avoid contact with people outside of the bubble. Once you’re in the bubble, you stay in the bubble so choose your friends (and family!) wisely.

Get tested before Thanksgiving!

With Thanksgiving next week, we are encouraging all faculty, staff and students to get a FREE COVID-19 test* at the kiosk on campus before going home for the holiday. This free saliva test is quick, painless, and you receive the results in 24-48 hours.

The kiosk is located outside the LSC and testing is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although walk-up testing is available, you are encouraged to pre-register.

*Testing is not recommended for those who have had a positive test within the last 90 days.

Vaccinefinder.org

Not close to campus? Search this CDC-recommended website to find another location near you.

Plan Ahead for Holiday Travel

Do you have to fly over Thanksgiving or winter break to go home? Find out if your airline requires a negative COVID test for boarding. Students are encouraged to research any testing requirements for airlines or travel destinations, which may include a negative test, and plan to schedule a test at the testing kiosk on campus accordingly.

SHSU Operations and On-Campus Services Continue after Thanksgiving

We have been asked multiple times about SHSU closing between Thanksgiving and winter break due to COVID. Currently, COVID infections vary widely across the nation and individual states. So, as a university, we are closely looking at local conditions and making evidence-based decisions on how the virus is affecting Walker County and the surrounding areas. Currently, in our area, COVID prevalence and hospitalization rates are within a range determined by medical professionals to be manageable. Based on that information, we feel we can return to campus after Thanksgiving. We will continue to do all we can to keep our university open and our faculty, students and staff safer.

The University will remain open and continue through the end of the Fall semester on December 9. The last day of dining services is December 11 and residence halls close December 13 at noon. Other limited services will be available over the break. Please check individual department websites for schedules. 

COVID Q&A

Q:  How accurate is the swabbing of the mouth compared to the swabbing of the nose?

A: Both tests use the same testing technology. PCR molecular testing, which is considered the “gold standard” for COVID-19 testing, is being used for both methods of sample collection.

COVID Conversations

Worried about taking a COVID test? SHSU sophomore Uri-El Jackson shows how quick and easy it is to take the test at the campus kiosk. The goal of COVID Conversations is to provide clarity on how our campus community is navigating the pandemic. We encourage faculty, staff and students to continue to submit their pandemic-related questions to COVID19@SHSU.edu.

COVID Updates

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are added to the university’s dashboard every Monday through Friday, at approximately 4:30 p.m. To see the current number of cases, visit Dashboard Updates.

COVID-19 Resources

Resources

Since COVID-19 information seems to change on a daily basis, please refer to official university sources for the most accurate information. For the most current information, visit the Restart 2020 website daily.

COVID-19 Work Group