Break is coming, COVID-19 safety precautions

Posted By: Ann Merchlewitz On: 2021-10-08
Posted On: 2021-10-08

As we approach fall break (Oct. 18-19), I write to share information about COVID-19 mitigation measures you may want to consider over the break. Please plan carefully to protect your own, your family’s, and your fellow students’ wellness. As you may know, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota and its surrounding states are all at high risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the delta variant. The levels of spread necessitate taking extra care.

Because COVID-19 is so prevalent in the United States now, it is possible to contract it by doing normal daily activities like shopping, eating at restaurants, and hanging out with family and friends. Social gatherings with large numbers of people, even family, are your greatest risk for becoming infected with COVID-19. You can lower your risk of exposure to COVID-19 while on break by:

  • Limiting social gatherings to people who live with you.
  • Avoiding large gatherings.
  • Wearing masks around people who don’t live with you.
  • Wearing masks over your nose and mouth when in public, including during travel, in areas where COID-19 transmission is substantial or high.  
  • Protecting friends and family members who may be at high risk for more serious illness by maintaining at least 6 feet of distance, especially while eating and drinking.

Travel, too, increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. The safest way to travel is to drive only with people who are members of your family or pod here on campus. You should not travel if you are sick or have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. When you travel:

  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet (about two arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
  • Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Do not travel with someone who is sick.
  • Use drive-thru, delivery, take-out, and curbside pick-up for safe food options.
  • Make sure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine.

If you are traveling and are concerned about family members, you may want to do a COVID-19 test before you leave for break. Minnesota and Vault Medical Services offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for everyone who lives in Minnesota, with or without symptoms, at no cost.

The Vault saliva test kits are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, molecular tests that detect the virus’s genetic material. PCR tests are the most accurate tests for detecting the virus that causes COVID-19. It checks whether you have COVID-19 right now and can spread it to others. A positive PCR test result is considered a confirmed case of COVID-19. Order your no-cost COVID test. Please use your Saint Mary’s University address when ordering the test. To have your results before you leave, you may want to order this test early the week of Oct. 11. It takes 24-48 hours after the test is mailed back to Vault to get your test results.

Have a safe and relaxing break!

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are Saint Mary’s.