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First U.S. Colleges Close Classrooms as Virus Spreads. More Could Follow. First U.S. Colleges Close Classrooms as Virus Spreads. More Could Follow.
(3 months later)
SEATTLE — The University of Washington said on Friday that it would cancel in-person classes and have students take courses and finals remotely while the Seattle area grapples with a growing coronavirus outbreak, in a move that other colleges around the country are preparing to follow if the virus becomes more widespread.SEATTLE — The University of Washington said on Friday that it would cancel in-person classes and have students take courses and finals remotely while the Seattle area grapples with a growing coronavirus outbreak, in a move that other colleges around the country are preparing to follow if the virus becomes more widespread.
Over the last few days, a growing number of universities have mobilized emergency planning teams to envision what a shutdown would look like, especially if students bring the virus back with them from spring break, which starts Friday on many campuses.Over the last few days, a growing number of universities have mobilized emergency planning teams to envision what a shutdown would look like, especially if students bring the virus back with them from spring break, which starts Friday on many campuses.
Already, some students have been warned that they should be prepared to learn online, as many students studying abroad in Europe and Asia have been forced to do. At Stanford University, officials announced late Friday that classes would not meet in person as of Monday, and that any looming exams would be changed to a take-home format.Already, some students have been warned that they should be prepared to learn online, as many students studying abroad in Europe and Asia have been forced to do. At Stanford University, officials announced late Friday that classes would not meet in person as of Monday, and that any looming exams would be changed to a take-home format.
The level of concern rose on Thursday with the announcement that a junior at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee who had been studying in Italy had tested positive for the virus after his study abroad program was canceled and he returned to his hometown, Chicago. The University of California, Los Angeles, also said three of its students were being tested and self-isolating off campus.The level of concern rose on Thursday with the announcement that a junior at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee who had been studying in Italy had tested positive for the virus after his study abroad program was canceled and he returned to his hometown, Chicago. The University of California, Los Angeles, also said three of its students were being tested and self-isolating off campus.
“I’m like on the run from the virus,” said Zara Khan, a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, who left a study abroad program in Florence for London five days ago. “I could go back to the States,” she said on Friday, “but that’s not even safe anymore.”“I’m like on the run from the virus,” said Zara Khan, a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, who left a study abroad program in Florence for London five days ago. “I could go back to the States,” she said on Friday, “but that’s not even safe anymore.”
The University of Washington, with 50,000 students on three campuses across the Seattle region, was apparently the first large college in the United States to make the shift entirely to online classes amid virus concerns. It said the change would begin Monday and continue through the remainder of the winter quarter, which ends March 20. The university’s president, Ana Mari Cauce, said she was hopeful that normal classes would resume during the spring quarter.The University of Washington, with 50,000 students on three campuses across the Seattle region, was apparently the first large college in the United States to make the shift entirely to online classes amid virus concerns. It said the change would begin Monday and continue through the remainder of the winter quarter, which ends March 20. The university’s president, Ana Mari Cauce, said she was hopeful that normal classes would resume during the spring quarter.
The announcement was the most sweeping decision yet for leaders in the Seattle area rushing to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has been linked to at least 14 deaths and 84 infections in the state.The announcement was the most sweeping decision yet for leaders in the Seattle area rushing to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has been linked to at least 14 deaths and 84 infections in the state.
“Our goal is to complete this academic quarter with as little disruption to our students and their educational progress as possible,” Ms. Cauce said. The university also announced on Friday that one of its employees had tested positive for the coronavirus but said the decision to close classrooms had been made before that.“Our goal is to complete this academic quarter with as little disruption to our students and their educational progress as possible,” Ms. Cauce said. The university also announced on Friday that one of its employees had tested positive for the coronavirus but said the decision to close classrooms had been made before that.
Seattle University, with about 7,300 students, also said it would move to online classes for the rest of the winter quarter, and Northeastern University in Boston will do the same for students on its Seattle campus. The Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s 6,000-student campus in Kirkland, Wash., shut down for cleaning after several students and faculty members visited a nursing home near Seattle where many coronavirus cases have been confirmed. And in New York City, Yeshiva University canceled classes on two of its campuses until March 10 after a student tested positive for the virus this week.Seattle University, with about 7,300 students, also said it would move to online classes for the rest of the winter quarter, and Northeastern University in Boston will do the same for students on its Seattle campus. The Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s 6,000-student campus in Kirkland, Wash., shut down for cleaning after several students and faculty members visited a nursing home near Seattle where many coronavirus cases have been confirmed. And in New York City, Yeshiva University canceled classes on two of its campuses until March 10 after a student tested positive for the virus this week.
Other universities have warned their students to be prepared for similar actions if they become necessary. Duke University sent a campuswide alert on Thursday laying out extensive guidance for students leaving for spring break, advising them to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from events or venues with a lot of people.Other universities have warned their students to be prepared for similar actions if they become necessary. Duke University sent a campuswide alert on Thursday laying out extensive guidance for students leaving for spring break, advising them to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from events or venues with a lot of people.
The note said the school was bracing for the possibility that on-campus classes would have to end if a student or teacher got infected, and students could be forced to finish the semester remotely. “We hope this will not be necessary but want to be prepared,” Duke saidThe note said the school was bracing for the possibility that on-campus classes would have to end if a student or teacher got infected, and students could be forced to finish the semester remotely. “We hope this will not be necessary but want to be prepared,” Duke said
Concern that classes could be canceled after spring break is rampant on many campuses, with shutdown rumors spread from student to student by text message and reinforced by professors who have been told by administrators to start thinking about putting their classes online.Concern that classes could be canceled after spring break is rampant on many campuses, with shutdown rumors spread from student to student by text message and reinforced by professors who have been told by administrators to start thinking about putting their classes online.
An email sent by the dean of Yale College on March 3 caught the attention of some students when it said, “And if you will be traveling home for spring break, consider bringing any items you will want with you if your return to campus is delayed.”An email sent by the dean of Yale College on March 3 caught the attention of some students when it said, “And if you will be traveling home for spring break, consider bringing any items you will want with you if your return to campus is delayed.”
When some students began to interpret that as a warning that the school could close, Yale officials denied any plans to close and warned against spreading panic.When some students began to interpret that as a warning that the school could close, Yale officials denied any plans to close and warned against spreading panic.
“In making any decisions about new actions we might take in response to Covid-19, such as the implementation of social distancing or a full or partial closure, Yale leadership will rely on guidance from federal, state and local authorities, and from our own faculty and staff experts,” said Karen Peart, a Yale spokeswoman.“In making any decisions about new actions we might take in response to Covid-19, such as the implementation of social distancing or a full or partial closure, Yale leadership will rely on guidance from federal, state and local authorities, and from our own faculty and staff experts,” said Karen Peart, a Yale spokeswoman.
But students and professors said it was hard not to think that spring break could be a turning point.But students and professors said it was hard not to think that spring break could be a turning point.
“Spring break is actually what’s making the timing of the spread especially alarming, because everyone’s leaving,” said Kahlil Greene, Yale’s undergraduate student body president. “Everyone’s dispersing and then everyone’s coming back together. In many people’s minds, that makes it more likely that something is going to happen on campus.”“Spring break is actually what’s making the timing of the spread especially alarming, because everyone’s leaving,” said Kahlil Greene, Yale’s undergraduate student body president. “Everyone’s dispersing and then everyone’s coming back together. In many people’s minds, that makes it more likely that something is going to happen on campus.”
Some colleges are encouraging students not to travel. Schools like Duke, New York University and the University of Chicago are asking students and faculty to register their travel plans, even locally, on a web-based form developed for emergencies like earthquakes and terrorist attacks. And many universities have canceled school-sponsored spring break trips abroad.Some colleges are encouraging students not to travel. Schools like Duke, New York University and the University of Chicago are asking students and faculty to register their travel plans, even locally, on a web-based form developed for emergencies like earthquakes and terrorist attacks. And many universities have canceled school-sponsored spring break trips abroad.
The University of Chicago, Fordham and others sent email messages to families in recent weeks saying they would support students who wanted to remain in the dorms over spring break, to avoid the risks of traveling. The University of Pennsylvania is adding extra dining hours for students who want to stay.The University of Chicago, Fordham and others sent email messages to families in recent weeks saying they would support students who wanted to remain in the dorms over spring break, to avoid the risks of traveling. The University of Pennsylvania is adding extra dining hours for students who want to stay.
Many universities are also discouraging trips to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, where the infection is more severe, and asking students and faculty members to isolate themselves for two weeks if they return from those countries.Many universities are also discouraging trips to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, where the infection is more severe, and asking students and faculty members to isolate themselves for two weeks if they return from those countries.
Syracuse University said on Friday that it was watching travel warnings from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closely, and would re-evaluate whether to continue study abroad programs in places like the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Chile.Syracuse University said on Friday that it was watching travel warnings from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closely, and would re-evaluate whether to continue study abroad programs in places like the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Chile.
Alexandra Lupo, a junior at Fordham, had been in Italy for about two months studying in Florence, a popular destination for study abroad students interested in art and culture, when she learned that her program was being shut down.Alexandra Lupo, a junior at Fordham, had been in Italy for about two months studying in Florence, a popular destination for study abroad students interested in art and culture, when she learned that her program was being shut down.
The coronavirus was spreading, administrators said in a surprise meeting. Everyone should leave the city by March 1.The coronavirus was spreading, administrators said in a surprise meeting. Everyone should leave the city by March 1.
Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Instead of giving up and going back home to New Jersey, Ms. Lupo decided she would fly off to London with a friend she had met in the program. Over spring break, she and her friend will be traveling to Amsterdam and Dublin.Instead of giving up and going back home to New Jersey, Ms. Lupo decided she would fly off to London with a friend she had met in the program. Over spring break, she and her friend will be traveling to Amsterdam and Dublin.
“I’m lucky I was still able to do that with everything that was going on,” Ms. Lupo said.“I’m lucky I was still able to do that with everything that was going on,” Ms. Lupo said.
Not every student studying abroad was so fortunate. Several N.Y.U. students bound for Shanghai saw their program canceled after the coronavirus swept through China, so some transferred to Florence — until it was shut down.Not every student studying abroad was so fortunate. Several N.Y.U. students bound for Shanghai saw their program canceled after the coronavirus swept through China, so some transferred to Florence — until it was shut down.
Since returning from Italy to her home in Weston, Conn., Molly Morris, a student at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., has been following her doctor’s advice to stay away from other people and monitor her temperature. She is not allowed to go to the grocery store or exercise class.Since returning from Italy to her home in Weston, Conn., Molly Morris, a student at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., has been following her doctor’s advice to stay away from other people and monitor her temperature. She is not allowed to go to the grocery store or exercise class.
After her isolation period, at the end of next week’s spring break, she plans to go to New York City for her mother’s birthday, to visit some museums and restaurants.After her isolation period, at the end of next week’s spring break, she plans to go to New York City for her mother’s birthday, to visit some museums and restaurants.
Some students are hoping to salvage at least the minimum accomplishment of getting credit for their courses through online learning. But students and instructors alike describe the remote courses as improvisational and primitive.Some students are hoping to salvage at least the minimum accomplishment of getting credit for their courses through online learning. But students and instructors alike describe the remote courses as improvisational and primitive.
“It’s a bit of a disaster,” said Marilynn Johnson, a history professor at Boston College whose study abroad program in Venice was shut down. “I feel like I’m teaching out to the void.”“It’s a bit of a disaster,” said Marilynn Johnson, a history professor at Boston College whose study abroad program in Venice was shut down. “I feel like I’m teaching out to the void.”
But it may be good preparation for what is to come.But it may be good preparation for what is to come.
“Everybody’s making contingency plans back in the U.S. over spring break,” Dr. Johnson said. “I think people are anticipating that the same thing may happen in the U.S. that’s happening in Europe. They’re suddenly going to come back and find out that there’s a ban on large gatherings, and that the universities have suspended in-person classes.”“Everybody’s making contingency plans back in the U.S. over spring break,” Dr. Johnson said. “I think people are anticipating that the same thing may happen in the U.S. that’s happening in Europe. They’re suddenly going to come back and find out that there’s a ban on large gatherings, and that the universities have suspended in-person classes.”
Her colleagues, she said, are posting “tips and tricks” for online teaching in a shared Google Doc.Her colleagues, she said, are posting “tips and tricks” for online teaching in a shared Google Doc.
One professor in Florence, who was teaching an Italian language immersion class until his students left, has been going around the city filming scenes and using them for his online lessons. “He’s a funny man, so it’s funny, but it’s sad we’re not there,” said Ayden Mallory, an N.Y.U. student who returned from Florence. But she is finding it hard to motivate herself to study Italian when she is in “cold, cold Boston.”One professor in Florence, who was teaching an Italian language immersion class until his students left, has been going around the city filming scenes and using them for his online lessons. “He’s a funny man, so it’s funny, but it’s sad we’re not there,” said Ayden Mallory, an N.Y.U. student who returned from Florence. But she is finding it hard to motivate herself to study Italian when she is in “cold, cold Boston.”
She thinks about how this whole episode will seem when she looks back on it some day. “I feel sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes laughing,” she said. “But it also feels monumental as well.”She thinks about how this whole episode will seem when she looks back on it some day. “I feel sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes laughing,” she said. “But it also feels monumental as well.”
Mike Baker and Karen Weise reported from Seattle and Anemona Hartocollis from New York. Britton O’Daly contributed reporting from New Haven, Conn.Mike Baker and Karen Weise reported from Seattle and Anemona Hartocollis from New York. Britton O’Daly contributed reporting from New Haven, Conn.