Dear students, staff, and faculty,
Below is an update from the COVID Response Team about our two-week trial period for masks in three locations on campus – the residence halls, the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex, and Hekman Library (floors 2-5 but not 1) – and what will happen after spring break.
First, a reminder that we launched the masks-recommend-but-optional pilot because of a strong downward case-count trend in Kent County, because case numbers at Calvin were in the low single digits, and because of our high vaccination rates and increasing numbers of people with natural immunity from a prior infection.
During this recent trial period, we have not seen evidence of COVID cases significantly increasing on campus. In fact, as this week began, we had no students in isolation or quarantine and no employees in isolation, a milestone that the university has not experienced in many, many months. And today, as the week ends, our numbers are back to zeroes across the board, which suggests that we are beginning to turn a corner.
As a result, we have decided to continue with a masks-optional policy in the residence halls, the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex, and Hekman Library. In addition to these spaces, we are expanding the masks-optional policy to some other areas on campus.
Effective immediately, all buildings on campus, with the exception of classrooms and labs, and the exception of Health Services, our Sports Medicine facilities and the Center for Counseling and Wellness, are masks-optional.
Regarding classrooms and labs, we plan to closely monitor our COVID numbers following spring break (March 7-11). If our isolation and quarantine numbers continue to stay low, we will pursue a masks-recommended-but-optional approach to classrooms and labs, effective Monday, March 14. Professors will continue to have the option to require masks in their classrooms and labs for the remainder of the semester.
ENTERING A POST-SURGE RECOVERY PHASE
Please note that this graduated expansion strategy is in keeping with the current advice of our local (Kent County Health Department) and state (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) health authorities with similar recommendations expected soon from the CDC.
MDHHS has said that moving forward, the COVID-19 response cycle can be broken down into three key phases:
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Response – Local and state public health implement rapid response to a surge. The public may be advised to increase masking, testing, and social distancing.
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Recovery – Post-surge. No immediate resurgence predicted. Local and state public health will monitor conditions that could lead to future surges.
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Readiness – A surge in cases is expected, with implications on severity of illness and hospital capacity.
Both MDHHS and KCHD believe that current case rates and hospitalizations, plus increased access to vaccines, testing and therapies, indicate Michigan is entering a post-surge recovery phase of the cycle.
During this recovery phase, the county and state have moved away from issuing mask recommendations and advisories, although all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask during isolation and quarantine periods.
This approach will continue at Calvin as well. Anyone who needs to be in isolation or quarantine will receive clear instructions from the university on next-steps, including mask-wearing. And individuals who are experiencing symptoms or have recent exposure to a positive case should continue to report through #Campus Clear and the Health Services patient portal.
Please be aware that the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has extended the face mask requirement for all transportation networks through March 18, 2022. This includes public transportation in Michigan and throughout the United States.
Local, state, and national health authorities endorse, and we agree, that individuals who feel sick, may be at higher risk of infection, or who feel better protected when masked should certainly choose to continue masking if they feel more comfortable doing so.
KN95 AND N95 MASKS AVAILABLE FROM CALVIN
The COVID Response Team is fully supportive of those on our campus who feel more comfortable continuing to mask, and we encourage people to take advantage of the KN95 and N95s masks we have available for students, staff, and faculty. Contact jambrose@calvin.edufor a mask and advice on fit and proper wear.
Continuing to mask when feeling ill, even if it’s just a cold, is a courtesy that we can all extend to each other as we move into this post-surge recovery phase of COVID mitigation.
Each person on our campus should also consider their individual risk factors and vaccination status when making the personal decision about whether or not to mask as part of a layered strategy to mitigation, including therapeutics, isolation and quarantine, and testing (if exposed or symptomatic).
SPRING BREAK REMINDERS
If you are traveling for spring break, we advise you to be careful and be aware of case rates in the places you plan to visit. The CDC has a useful website where you can check several points of information prior to travel, including COVID information.
When you return to campus, please remember to monitor symptoms and report them using #CampusClear or the Health Services portal. Health Services is an incredible on-campus resource for not just COVID health needs but also seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses. We encourage students and employees to take advantage of this on-campus resource.
Symptom monitoring will be a critical piece of our return-to-learn mitigation efforts following Spring Break. We also urge the Calvin community to take advantage of the many options available for free, at-home COVID testing. And we suggest that those who travel limit gatherings for a few days upon their return from spring break as we assess what impact travel may have on case counts and spread on campus.
We are praying for a safe, healthy, and refreshing spring break for all.
The Covid Response Team (responseteam@calvin.edu)
Jennifer Ambrose
Eric Arnoys
Laura Champion
Bear de Boo (student representative)
Phil de Haan
Todd Dornbos
Kari Dykhouse
Andy George
Brian Paige
Jane Prins
Sarah Visser, chair
John Witte
Cindy Wolffis