Date: January 28, 2022
One strategy we have used throughout this pandemic is to constantly test the community. There is a significant percentage of students and faculty who rarely leave the campus (which, incidentally, probably isn’t that healthy – but that is for a different commentary on a different day). Naturally, staff come and go. But being a residential community, we take the view that we should strive to monitor ourselves regularly. Antigen testing is perfect. If there is an outbreak, then the test will help us to identify a potential group and give us the opportunity to take appropriate action quickly.
As we handle omicron, we will have a campus-wide community testing (literally, anyone with a pulse – child, spouse, staff member, student) today from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please note the venue change: it is happening on the lower level of Addison Academic Center. There will be a one-way traffic pattern: enter the Lettie Pate Evans Room from the door near the Saints and Stories Wall and exit via Addison.
Finally, Nurse Julia is amazing. When this all started, Julia emailed me and said “I am a nurse — call on me if you need some help.” Two years later, she is still helping. For this, we are grateful. Let us hope COVID is truly over by the time she graduates …
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President