Dear Students,
With the twists and turns of 2020, it seems completely normal that we had a tropical storm in mid-November!
I appreciate our entire student body for making a pivot yesterday with classes canceled to ensure the safety of everyone. I hope the effects of Tropical Storm Eta were minimal for you and your loved ones.
If the storm greatly impacted you and caused unanticipated expenses, Aid-a-Gator financial assistance may be available to provide a funding bridge for education-related expenses. Additionally, I encourage you to reach out to U Matter, We Care for support and resources.
As we look forward into the semester and with less than two remaining until Thanksgiving break, now is a critical time to do three things before you go home or travel.
1. Self-quarantine. To protect your parents, grandparents and others who are at a higher risk for serious illness, we encourage you to self-quarantine for 14 days before you go home. This means minimizing your exposure to others and avoiding large groups and risky locations.
2. Schedule a test. Get tested for COVID-19 before you go home and when you come back. Please go to One.UF.edu to schedule a free test. It typically takes no more than 72 hours to get results. Some states and airlines require a negative test from individuals. Remember, a negative test does not mean you won’t become infectious. Wait out the 14-day incubation period to keep your family safe.
3. Get a flu shot. The flu and COVID-19 are in the air. Masks and a flu shot make a great pair. Schedule your vaccination before you go!
I encourage you to take these three precautions and plan ahead. For more holiday and travel tips, I encourage you to review the suggestions at https://coronavirus.ufhealth.org/screen-test-protect-2/how-to-have-yourself-a-healthy-holiday/.
Thank you for doing your part to promote the health of our community!
I hope you have a wonderful and restful weekend.
Be safe, be well, and as always – Go Gators!
Dr. D’Andra Mull
Vice President for Student Affairs
Quick Links:
https://one.uf.edu/
https://my.shcc.ufl.edu/vaccines/