Terms to Know

  • Pandemic – a global epidemic or one that has spread over several countries or continents, affecting many people.
  • Physical Distancing – avoiding congregating into groups and maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
  • Congregate Settings – public places where close contact with others may occur.
  • Isolation – separates an individual who is sick with a contagious disease from those who are not to avoid transmission.
  • Quarantine – separates and restricts movement of individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease, but do not show symptoms.
  • Incubation Period – the time of exposure to to an infectious agent like SARS-CoV-2 to the onset of symptoms.
  • Asymptomatic Carriers – individuals who are infected with an infectious agent, such as SARS-CoV-2 who may spread the illness without showing symptoms of the disease.
  • Contact Tracing – a strategy in which public health officials work with a patient to help them recall everyone with whom they have had a close contact during the time frame while they may have been infectious.

Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle Pain
  • Headache
  • Sore Throat
  • New Loss of Taste or Smell

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

  • Separate yourself from other people.
  • Stay in a specific room and away from household residents and pets as much as possible.
  • Avoid any form of public transportation or ride shares.
  • Monitor your symptoms and follow care instructions from your healthcare provider.
  • If you must be around other people, Wear a face covering.

Returning to Campus Safely

At least 14 days before coming to campus:

  • Avoid contact with people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Refrain from gathering in large crowds.
  • Practice physical distancing (6 feet or more).
  • Self monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

How to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Physical Distancing

  • Avoid physical contact with people (i.e. hand shakes, hugs, high-fives)
  • Avoid sharing items (i.e. pens, phones)
  • Keep six feet or more away from others whenever possible

Hand Washing

Wash your hands often with both soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available. According to the CDC, gloves are not a replacement for good hand hygiene.

When to wash your hands:

  • After you have been in a public place
  • Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • After using the restroom
  • Before, during and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After touching an animal, animal food, or animal waste
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up after a chld
  • After touching garbage or a trash cans

Face Coverings

In the best interest of the health and safety of our community and based on instructions from Auburn University, all students, staff, and faculty are required to wear a cloth face covering on campus to minimize the potential for a COVID-19 spread.

Wearing a face covering demonstrates that you care about those around you.

Wearing a face covering shows you respect those who may have an underlying health conditions and need our help in staying healthy and safe.

You may never know what risk, hardship or struggle the person you are walking past is facing. 

 

Wearing Your Face Covering

  • Wash you hands before you put on your face covering
  • Be sure your face covering fits comfortably over your nose and mouth,  and secure under your chin
  • Avoid touching the face covering once you put it on

Removing Your Face Covering

  • Carefully undo the strings or straps and pull away from your face without touching the cloth part of the covering
  • Handle only by the ear-loops or ties
  • Fold the outside corners together
  • Place face coverings directly in a washing machine or in a zip lock bag until it can be cleaned
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth when removing
  • Wash your hands immediately after removal
  • Clean your face covering before reusing

Cleaning/Disinfecting Surfaces

These are basic guidelines that members of our campus community can perform in their personal and shared spaces to reduce pathogen exposure. While cleaning alone may not kill germs, it does remove dirt/impurities that can interfere with the success of disinfection procedures to kill germs.

  • Clean/disinfect by using a disinfectant to wipe down metal/plastic surfaces your (or other non-porous surfaces). All typical contact points subject to touch by multiple users should be wiped such as doorknobs and handles, light switches, counter surfaces, file drawer handles, desks, chairs, tables, or sink faucets and handles. Use caution when spraying any aerosol chemical and do not spray close to your face (i.e., eyes, mouth, nose).
  • Soft (porous) surfaces such as carpet flooring, fabric chairs, rugs or drapes should have visible contamination and waste removed and then be cleaned with appropriate cleaner.
  • For items such as keyboards and other types of technology equipment, alcohol-based wipes may be used. Do not to allow cleaning product to pool on the surface during cleaning. It is recommended to use wipe-able computer covers if applicable.