Dear Webber Community,
As you know, both the Webber Leadership Team and the Campus Crisis Response Team have been meeting for weeks regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). We have tried, to the best of our ability, to keep you posted with the latest – and best vetted – information available. This link (https://www.flchamber.com/follow-facts-not-fear/) takes you to the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s coronavirus page where they have linked to the best resources currently available. While we have listed the answers to the most frequently asked questions below, if there are other questions, please ask.
Here’s our current FAQ
Q: Is Webber prepared to go entirely online?
A: Yes. We have had, for years, a plan to go online if we have to (while we would post notice on www.WebberEmergency.com, please be sure to check you Webber email account, because that’s the only way we can send student specific information). If we have to get one sick student through the semester on-line, let one sick professor teach his or her classes on-line, or take the entire University on-line, we are prepared for that.
Q: Is Webber planning to go online?
A: No. While we understand there is widespread fear – some of it justified — for right now we are planning to limit disruption as much as possible while following the best available guidance for infection prevention and control. But please remember, things can change rapidly. So, since I don’t have a crystal ball and cannot predict the future, if I were going away to enjoy spring break, I’d take my books with me and be make sure I know my Webber email password just in case something does change.
Q: What if I get sick (with coronavirus or something else)?
A: Stay home. Get medical treatment. If you need help getting medical treatment, call Student Life (863-638-2914) or Athletic Training (863-638-2989). Please don’t go to work, class, practice, or games if you are sick. Sure, so far most of the people who have contracted coronavirus have ended up okay, as long as they were healthy to begin with. But note the “as long as they were healthy” part of that… we currently have at least 6 immunocompromised people on campus (and as I beat cancer last year with dangerously low white blood cell counts which meant an infection could be deadly, I didn’t really “look sick” to most of you).
Q: If I get sick, how will I finish the semester?
A: Contact Academic Affairs (863-638-2971). Whether it’s a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or longer we’ll figure out a way. But note that you need to work with us from the beginning… if you call after you’ve missed two weeks, there isn’t much we can do.
Q: Spring Break?
A: Indeed. We STRONGLY discourage international travel. As previously noted, as a condition of continued enrollment or employment, if you travel to or through a country with a level 3 health warning (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html) you must self-quarantine and will not be allowed back on campus for 14 days after your return to the United States. As also noted, we will follow current guidance, which could change. Finally, understand that given the current panic, there’s always the possibility that if you do leave the country you might not be able to get back in, even if you’re not sick.
Q: Status of The Sun Conference?
A: “As the situation regarding the COVID-19/coronavirus progresses, we are continuing to monitor the latest developments and advisements of local and national authorities regarding public health and safety. At this time, all Sun Conference events remain on as scheduled. As I’m sure you all understand, the situation remains very fluid as information and responses by impacted organizations continues to change daily.” (per Commissioner Wilke a 3:43pm EDT Wednesday March 11, 2020)
Q: Status of NAIA?
A: As of today, all NAIA championship events and the NAIA National Convention are expected to take place as planned. All championship host sites are implementing extra precautions in response to the threat of COVID-19. NAIA staff members are meeting daily to assess the situation and considerations are being guided by information from local, regional, and national health authorities (March 11, 2020 https://www.naia.org/general/2019-20/releases/covid-19-update-convention)
Q: I heard other schools are closing early for the semester?
A: Yes, we read that too. It’s important to note that most of the ones who have made that decision so far are in dense metropolitan areas which have confirmed cases. But, while I personally feel safer here than most places because we don’t have any 300 person classes or 10,000 person events, we are not immune from the virus. We are continuing to monitor the situation and follow best practices, and right now those don’t include closing early for the semester.
Q:What are the current best practices to stay safe?
A: Per the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fprevention-treatment.html) here they are:
Take steps to protect yourself
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Thank you for visiting http://www.WebberEmergency.com, the official notification site of Webber International University.
Posted date, time, by, and authority of: March 11th, 2020 5:00pm EST by the President of the University of his own authority.
Message ID: 2020-2
www.WebberEmergency.com 