Protect The Nest

From Director of Operations Tiffany Reynolds

Good evening, everyone – here is today's Coronavirus Update:

I. Important Reminders: FGCU Eagles have been diligent to maintain COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, allowing students to continue working toward their degrees and dreams.  While spring breakers are visiting the area, remember to stay healthy and refrain from engaging in high risk behaviors that will spread COVID-19 to your friends on campus.  Please remember these important things to help keep our campus community safe and healthy:

• MASKS:  Wear your mask on campus as required.  Wear your mask properly with BOTH your nose and mouth completely covered at all times to prevent transmission.
• VEOCI APP:  Complete the Veoci app BEFORE you come to campus.  (1) The app can be completed and updated at any time on any day of the week.  You can complete the Veoci app before the 7 a.m. email reminder or at any other time.  (2) If you already completed the Veoci app for that day – and later you have new circumstances such as symptoms or the knowledge of being in contact with a person who has COVID-19 – please go in immediately and update Veoci with the new information.
• KEEP IT GOING:  It’s easy to get caught up in the prospect of a quick return to normal with all the news of vaccinations, but this is not the time to let down our guard on campus and outside in the community.  At FGCU, we’ve worked really hard to get this far, so please continue the important safety practices.
• RESOURCES: Continue to check the Protect The Nest webpage for current information about COVID-19 and our campus: https://www.fgcu.edu/coronaupdate/  

 II. Vaccines at FGCU:

• FGCU was allocated 200 Moderna vaccines this week in addition to the 100 second doses.  All doses were administered to eligible FGCU employees and students.  As more vaccines become available to FGCU, communications will go out to eligible individuals.
• There have been a number of changes to vaccine eligibility in the past week.  Please visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/ for the latest information.

III. Faculty and Staff Working on Campus:

• Human Resources (HR) and the Office of Adaptive Services have developed a process to evaluate appropriate and reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities who may not be able to return to campus.  Today, Human Resources sent an email that outlines the process that employees must utilize in order to make an accommodation request.  For any questions, contact Tracy Malach, Assistant Director, Benefits of Human Resources at (239) 590-1406 or Tmalach@fgcu.edu.

Stay safe, Eagles!

From Vice President and Chief of Staff Susan Evans

Good afternoon, everyone – we have a few items for today's Coronavirus Update:

I.  Very Important – Symptoms!:

• We’re at that time of year when the common cold and allergies are in full bloom for many people. 
• Even if you have symptoms you think are related to routine, seasonal health issues, it’s necessary to indicate your specific symptoms on the Veoci app BEFORE you come to campus – and then follow the app’s direction until one of our COVID-19 case investigators contacts you.  Unfortunately, we’re seeing some situations where this is not being followed, and as a result, people unnecessarily are having to go into quarantine and/or cause others to quarantine. 
• Our FGCU case investigators have a comprehensive, “big picture” view of close contacts to COVID-19 positive cases; organizational relationships with connected symptoms and close/positive cases (for example, co-workers in a particular unit); and other such information that’s needed for a successful case management system. 
• If students and employees don’t provide information about their symptoms – because they’re making an assumption of the medical cause – our case investigators lose the opportunity to conduct important contact tracing and ultimately to determine if someone is okay to come to campus or needs to stay home to recover.  Case management is the cornerstone of our work to prevent COVID-19 transmission on our campus community and beyond. 
• Please be sure to report any symptoms – no matter how minor you may think they are – on Veoci and then wait for direction!

II.  More Vaccines for FGCU:

• We are anticipating receiving some additional vaccines to administer at FGCU next week.  As a reminder, though, everything about the process for COVID-19 vaccines is extremely fluid, and FGCU does not control when we will receive vaccines, or set the rules for eligibility.
• Next week we should be able to provide second doses to the 108 individuals who last month received their first Moderna vaccinations at FGCU.  The eligibility requirements as of this writing remain at (1) currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff who are 65 years of age and over, and/or (2) health care providers on our campus.  We also are anticipating receiving 200 first-dose vaccines for next week, unless things change with distribution to us. 
• As previously indicated, all vaccine communications regarding student and employee eligibility; appointment scheduling; etc. go directly to your FGCU email account, so if you are eligible and interested, please monitor your emails (and spam folder) so you don’t miss important information.
• The State of Florida will be making adjustments to eligibility and other factors as more and more people are vaccinated, and this information will be provided to our campus community as soon as we have it. 

III.  Faculty and Staff Working on Campus:

• With Spring semester well under way, we appreciate everyone working so hard to ensure our students continue to receive a high-quality education despite COVID-19.  As vaccines are more widely distributed in the coming months, we remain optimistic that our campus will continue to reemerge closer and closer to a pre-pandemic setting.
• As throughout the past year, we remain committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for those learning, living and working in the midst of COVID-19.  If as an employee you cannot return to campus in the next few months, we will ask you to use an accommodation request that is necessary if you have a disability that interferes with a major life activity.
• Human Resources and the Office of Adaptive Services have developed a process to evaluate appropriate and reasonable accommodations for faculty and staff with disabilities who may not be able to return to campus without such an accommodation.
• Next week, Human Resources will provide additional details, including the process for accommodation, so stay tuned for this communication.  In the meantime, if you have questions please contact Benefits Assistant Director of Human Resources Tracy Malach at 239-590-1406 or tmalach@fgcu.edu.

In closing and with today’s being my last Coronavirus Update, I’ve been thinking about how virtual communications have served us well.  We all know that technology is not a great substitute for being in person.  But when something like a hurricane or a global pandemic comes FGCU’s way, technology enables us to stay together as a community – to support and encourage each other – to take care of each other – and above all, to be connected to each other.  It’s been an honor to be home base for our communications during COVID-19 and many other situations over the years. 

It gets more challenging the larger the University becomes, but at FGCU it always has been about the people and our connections.  My biggest hope is that this personal touch – this absolute highest priority on people – will continue to be where we start and where we end everything we do here.  It’s what makes us uniquely FGCU!

Stay well, Eagles, and stay connected!

From Vice President and Chief of Staff Susan Evans

Good afternoon, everyone – here is today's Coronavirus Update:

I.  Weather Delays on Shipping Vaccines:

• Impacts from the winter storms across the country include delayed distribution of vaccines to the states, including Florida, and the trickle-down effect was no new vaccines received here this week.  Hopefully soon the previous distribution can continue and be expanded.  In the meantime, at this point we do not have confirmation of additional vaccines for FGCU.
• When we do receive vaccines at the University, the eligibility will remain as (1) current employees and currently enrolled students who are 65 years of age and over, and (2) CDC-defined healthcare providers on campus. 
• FGCU will continue to seek as many vaccines as possible for our eligible individuals.  Student Health Services, and Human Resources are preparing lists of eligible, interested FGCU individuals.  If you fall into this category, be sure to monitor your email (and spam folder) since these vaccine communications are done on an individual basis by email.  Don’t miss out if you’re eligible and interested!

II.  CDC Change in Quarantine Requirements for Vaccinated Individuals:

• The CDC no longer requires individuals in close contact with a COVID-positive person to quarantine if they have received a complete series (both doses) of the COVID vaccination within the last 3 months and are showing no symptoms.   
• When completing the Veoci app to report close contact, students who meet this criteria also will upload an electronic copy of a completed COVID-19 vaccination card to the Student Health Services Student Portal. 
• Employees will email an electronic copy of a completed COVID-19 vaccination card to Andrea Orellana (aorellana@fgcu.edu)  in Human Resources. 
• After the documentation verifying proof of COVID vaccination completion has been received and confirmed to be in compliance with current CDC guidelines, a Case Investigator will advise you regarding release from quarantine.

III.  Spring 2021 Commencement:

• The State University System (SUS) this week released guidance for universities’ spring Commencement ceremonies in light of COVID-19.  The blueprint is intended as a guide for the SUS’ 12 institutions, including FGCU, and it prioritizes health and safety while also recognizing the distinct differences in the universities (for example, FGCU does not have a large outdoor stadium).
• Our team is considering various Commencement options consistent with the SUS guidance and which celebrate our deserving graduates in a COVID-safe environment.  Details should be ready in early March and will be provided to the campus community as soon as possible.
• The SUS blueprint can be viewed at:  https://www.flbog.edu/2021/02/16/the-state-university-system-of-florida-blueprint-for-spring-semester-2021-commencements/ 

We’ve now completed six weeks of the Spring semester, and we all know how to operate FGCU under a pandemic!  Please keep following the COVID-19 safety requirements on campus, and brighter days will be ahead – we’ve got this, Eagles!

From Vice President and Chief of Staff Susan Evans

Good afternoon, everyone – here is today's Coronavirus Update:

I.  Coming Soon – Planning for FGCU’s Fall Semester in Pre-Pandemic Ways!

• As we look ahead to the Fall 2021 semester with medical experts’ current forecasts in mind, we are planning for primarily in-person classes and activities at FGCU, all while continuing to carefully monitor COVID-19 health and safety conditions on the ground. 
• As President Martin has said repeatedly during the past year, all decisions are made first and foremost with the priorities of good health and safety for our campus community of students, faculty and staff, and also our neighbors.

We are continuing to plan with this goal of a more normal on-campus experience for the Fall semester.  Stay tuned in late February for the Fall semester course schedule on FGCU’s website!

II.  And How We Get To:  Coming Soon – Planning for the Fall Semester in Pre-Pandemic Ways!

• Fall semester starts in August.  Unfortunately at this point in February, the pandemic still is having a significant impact on FGCU’s and other universities’ operations.  This is NOT the time to let down our guard, especially with public health officials’ recent warnings about COVID-19 variants that may be even more transmissible and deadly.
• All COVID-19 rules at FGCU remain firmly in place for this semester, including the restrictions on meetings/events and travel as detailed in President Martin’s campus message earlier today (https://www.fgcu.edu/coronaupdate/#130February122021Update).
• Everyone must keep doing the following:
• Wear a mask that completely covers your mouth and nose to reduce transmission.  There are new COVID-19 cases at FGCU every day, so do your part for yourself and those around you.
• Observe campus facilities’ maximum occupancy and seating requirements.  Do not move desks, tables, etc. in any buildings or facilities.
• Socially distance, and avoid large gatherings/parties.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Complete the Veoci app every time BEFORE you come to the campus.  It’s simple and quick – and makes you eligible for great prize drawings!

III.  Additional Vaccines for FGCU:

• This week we did not receive word of additional vaccines for FGCU, but we believe more will be available in the coming weeks and months.
• As a reminder, until further notification from the CDC and other authorities associated with vaccine distribution, the only groups at FGCU who are eligible for the vaccine are (1) current employees, and currently enrolled students – aged 65 and over, and (2) CDC-defined healthcare providers on campus.
• As additional vaccines become available to FGCU, eligible individuals will be notified directly through their FGCU email account.  Monitor your emails (and spam folder) if you’re interested!

Let’s keep it going, Eagles, so we can get to where we all want to be at FGCU! 

Health Services & Resources

If you are sick - stay home and make an appointment to see a doctor. 

Students who develop flu-like symptoms can contact the FGCU Student Health Services at 239-590-7966 or email immune@fgcu.edu to make an appointment to see our healthcare professionals.  If you are severely ill, you should call an urgent care, emergency department at a local hospital, or call 911 before going in person.  They will direct you on the steps to take to get help without infecting others.

Faculty and staff who have questions about leave for health issues should contact Human Resources at hr@fgcu.edu or by calling 239-590-1400. 

Resources:

FGCU Student Health Services at 239-590-7966  or immune@fgcu.edu.

Lee Health Telemedicine - $49 fee

Lee County Health Department at 239-332-9501.

Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center – Open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  - 1-866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov

• Florida Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

Travel Advisories & Resources

Additional information and guidance on coronavirus including precautions, symptoms, and travel can be viewed at:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Coronavirus
• CDC Travel Advisory
• U.S. Department of State – Travel Advisory
• Florida Department of Health – Coronavirus
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Coronavirus

Info Sheets

• COVID-19 Should I Get Tested?
• Preventive Measures for 14-day Self Isolation

Travel Advisories & Resources

Additional information and guidance on coronavirus including precautions, symptoms, and travel can be viewed at:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Coronavirus
• CDC Travel Advisory
• U.S. Department of State – Travel Advisory
• Florida Department of Health – Coronavirus
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Coronavirus