1. How many MVSU students/faculty/staff have tested positive for COVID-19?
Response:
Visit this website for latest information https://www.mvsu.edu/confirmed-cases
2. How fast can we be vaccinated?
Response:
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has set no dates for the COVID-19 vaccines to be available. They have developed a draft vaccination plan which can be found online at MS COVID-19 Vaccination Plan - DRAFT.pdf. Other vaccine updates can be found online at the MSDH website at www.msdh.ms.gov.
3. Where did the virus come from?
Response:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”
Additional information about the virus can be found online at About COVID-19 | CDC.
4. What are the plans and guidelines put in place for Spring Semester to ensure safety forn all?
Response:
MVSU has put in place several measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 and provide a safe campus environment. These measures (not all inclusive) include providing:
- temperature check points at the campus entry and within buildings
- on-campus COVID-19 testing
- routine sanitizing of all buildings along with enhanced daily cleaning
- COVID-19 related signage around campus and throughout buildings
- protective barriers in offices around campus
- hand sanitizing stations in all campus buildings
- masks for faculty, staff and students
- a separate quarantine/isolation area for students
- carryout meals from the cafeteria for dining
- a highlighted COVID-19 webpage on the University’s website
- physical/social distancing classroom and lab spaces
- varied academic instruction platforms (socially distanced face-to-face, hybrid, online)
- electronic access to campus forms, documents, academic advising, and other resources
- virtual commencement exercises
- remote work/telework options for employees, as applicable
5. Will we have mandatory COVID-19 testing for everyone?
Response:
No.
6. How does MVSU address contact tracing?
Response:
The CDC reports that contact tracing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and helps protect you, your family, and your community. Contact tracing helps protect you, your family, and your community by:
- Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
- Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested.
- Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact.
Currently, contact tracing is conducted by the Office of Human Resources for employees (faculty & staff) and by Student Affairs for students.
7. Is it possible to work remotely to reduce the rapid spread of COVID-19?
Response:
The University provides opportunity for its employees to work remotely where feasible to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Employees should contact their immediate supervisor or the Office of Human Resources for information about remote work.
https://www.mvsu.edu/preparing-return
8. How long does it take to get your test results back?
Response:
The agencies we partner with advertise 3 to 5 days for test results to be provided to those who were tested. As part of the test registration process, all individuals being tested are asked to provide a current telephone/cell phone number, complete mailing address, and email address. You may be informed by either of these means. As technology resources evolve testing providers can provide your test results electronically.
9. Will the Spring Semester 2021 be virtual? If so, how will community service hours be handled?
Response:
Spring 2021 is scheduled and planned to be held in a traditional manner with classes in person and online as was the case pre-COVID. Classes will not be virtual. MVSU does not make these types of decisions alone. It involves the State Legislature and IHL.
Community service is still a graduation requirement for the 2020-2021 academic term. Students will complete and submit the Community Service-Learning Form found online under the Community Service-Learning link. The link for the form is provided below. Because of COVID-19, traditional community service opportunities may be limited. Examples of a few community service opportunities that may limit interaction with others are also listed below. For additional information, email servicelearning@mvsu.edu. Following are some examples of community service opportunities available during the 2020-2021 academic term.
Example 1. Virtual Tutoring/Mentoring
Example 2. Salvation Army (Red Kettle Campaign)
Example 3. Volunteer with food drives/giveaways at local churches.
Example 4. Volunteer at Food Banks or Pantries.
https://www.mvsu.edu/sites/default/files/community_service.pdf
10. How will my salary be affected if I am out for an extended period of time with the virus?
Response:
Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources for inquiries concerning salary or salary adjustment due to COVID-19.
11. What is the process for sanitizing school related documents?
Response:
The Office of Academic Affairs is not sanitizing school documents. We do not have a means to do so and nor do we have an idea of how to do such. Should the University determine that documents should be sanitized we will gladly provide them for processing, keeping in mind confidentiality and other legal ramifications. Presently, we are only processing documents that come from various units and persons on the campus.
The MVSU Library recommends the following:
- While it is highly recommended that book drops be closed, if the book drop remains open, staff should observe materials sanitizing or CDC quarantine (3 days) protocol documenting when the book was returned.
- Books are to be quarantined for 3 days before handling and checking them in. Use PPE to handle any incoming materials.
- Scanned documents (via ILL), are sent via email, so for safety purposes, wear gloves only if there is a need to print them.
12. How does COVID-19 spread?
Response:
You can spread COVID-19 without having any symptoms, which is why mask-wearing and physical distance are critically important.
An infected person can spread the virus through their respiratory droplets when they cough, sneeze, speak, shout or sing. We can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by following the three W’s — wearing masks, washing our hands and watching our physical distances — and avoiding crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation.
COVID-19 can also be spread by touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. We’re still learning about this new virus. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
13. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection?
Response:
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you have any of these symptoms, stay home. Contact your health-care provider for medical guidance and to discuss getting tested. You can also contact MVSU’s Student Health Center for guidance.
Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care, emergency room or other health-care facility without contacting them first. Your provider will need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic or may suggest a telemedicine appointment instead.
14. I feel anxious about coronavirus. What can I do?
Response:
This is an extremely stressful, difficult time for everyone. You don’t have to go through it alone. Support is available to students through campus mental health services:
- Students: https://www.mvsu.edu/Student-Counseling-Center-Homepage
- Employees: https://business.amwell.com/
Additionally, you CAN help stop the spread of COVID-19. This fall and winter, keep social gatherings outdoors, limited to just a couple of people who all wear masks and stay 6 feet apart from each other.