Dear students, faculty, and staff,
We want to thank the Calvin community for coming together this past week to help curb the spread of COVID on campus. After a concerning uptick in COVID cases last week, we have seen a significant drop in the number of positive test results this week.
As a result, we will not be requiring masks in classrooms and other academic settings next week, though professors may decide to continue the requirement in their classes, labs, and other academic settings as needed.
Additionally, at this time, we do not plan to require masks for exam week or during Commencement events.
We are grateful for the decreasing case numbers and thankful for the response of the Calvin community. Over the past week, we saw strong evidence of students and employees paying attention to possible COVID symptoms, self-isolating as needed, and taking advantage of our walk-up testing clinics and home tests.
We are encouraged that our community is working to remain attentive and careful, and these important individual mitigation behaviors give us confidence that we are moving steadily toward a post-pandemic phase. Indeed, as we look to the end of the semester and Commencement, we encourage everyone to stay vigilant.
Isolation and quarantine measures for COVID positive students will continue through the end of the semester. Next fall, we anticipate that COVID care and support will transition away from campuswide mitigation requirements toward a more typical health and wellness approach, similar to how we currently respond to colds, flus, and other common illnesses.
That said, we are not completely out of the woods yet. Wastewater levels continue to show evidence of viral spread in certain residential buildings on campus, and we will continue to communicate regularly about elevated risks for residents in impacted areas.
COVID infections will persist on our campus for the foreseeable future. We believe that individual decisions such as symptom-monitoring, staying home when ill, and wearing masks have helped contribute to curbing the spread of COVID and a variety of other illnesses on campus this spring, including influenza, mono, norovirus, etc. Those who prefer to continue wearing masks on campus are encouraged to do so.
As always, anyone who feels their symptoms warrant a medical assessment or medical care (for instance, progressive cough, high fever, shortness of breath), should contact Health Services directly.
Today is Good Friday, reminding us of our brokenness and desperate need for a Savior. And just when things seem darkest, we are reminded that the hope and promise of Resurrection Sunday awaits. Blessings as you worship and gather with friends and family this weekend.
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