Latest Update

Enjoy Fall Break with Safe, Healthy Behaviors; Class Attendance Guidance for Students Who Are Ill; What to Do if Someone Coughs or Sneezes Near You

October 16, 2020 2:00 PM

From: PFW Prepared Weekly

To: Students, Faculty, and Staff

Enjoy Fall Break with Safe, Healthy Behaviors

Fall break is from October 19 to 20, and it’s a great time to recharge and relax. Everyone taking this time off should enjoy it, and also remember that it’s important to follow healthy behaviors, such as avoiding large gatherings, maintaining social distance, and following the state-wide mask mandate to keep our campus community safe upon everyone’s return.

Class Attendance Guidance for Students Who Are Ill

With midterms upon us, we know there is a greater urgency to attend class, but it is critically important for students to remember to stay at home if they’re not feeling well. Students should especially stay home if they have a fever of 100.4°F or higher, a cough, or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19. When anyone develops symptoms—especially ones that are not attributable to another known health issue—they should strongly consider getting a COVID-19 test and following relevant public-health guidelines regarding when it is safe to be around others after being sick. Students need to stay in close communication with their professors when they are unable to attend class and should not hesitate to contact the CARE Team for support.

Maintaining progress in courses is important, but so is the health and well-being of every member of our campus community.

What to Do if Someone Coughs or Sneezes Near You

With the cold-and-flu season upon us, be aware that you are more likely to be exposed to coughs and sneezes from people around you. These are high-risk scenarios, as COVID-19 is often spread person-to-person via respiratory droplets. Fredrick Sherman, a professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says the best way to lower the risk of exposure from a cough or sneeze from a contagious person is to “immediately exhale to avoid inhaling droplets or aerosols. Purse your lips to make the exhaling last longer. Turn your head fully away from the person and begin walking.” 

If you are feeling ill and experiencing symptoms that coincide with strep throat, the flu, or COVID-19, you can schedule a telemedicine visit with the Campus Health Clinic.

Feel Safer on Campus with Free Apps and Text Alerts

Now is a perfect time to explore new ways to make sure that you’re staying safe on campus and beyond. These free apps and text alerts for your smartphone are a great place to start.

The Rave Panic Button app helps keep faculty and staff informed of emergencies on campus and accelerates emergency responses by immediately informing 911 about the nature and location of the situation, as well as simultaneously notifying designated members of our campus community with the push of a button. 

The Rave Guardian app is available to students, faculty, and staff. It turns your smartphone into a personal safety device. Invite friends and family to join your own private safety network. You can then request one or more of your designated “guardians” to virtually walk with you on or off campus. No matter the situation you are in, university resources are only two clicks away and can provide you with the support you need. 

Everyone with a Purdue Fort Wayne username and password is strongly encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts through goPFW. Additionally, SMS Opt In allows friends of Purdue Fort Wayne to receive the same notifications from our Rave Text Alert System without needing university credentials. All they need to do is text PurdueFWAlert1 or PurdueFWAlert16 to CAMPUS (226787) to get any emergency alert delivered for the next week or 16 weeks. Automatic notifications are sent when their subscription is about to expire. They can then choose to continue to receive text alerts or simply opt out.

Join the Next PFW Prepared Q&A Session

The next PFW Prepared Q&A session for faculty and staff will be on Friday, October 23. The session will start at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to last one hour. Visit PFW Prepared for session-access information.

• • •

PFW Prepared Update is the official university communication for PFW Prepared news in response to COVID-19.

Produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Visit PFW Prepared |  Contact Us  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram