Student Update November 13

 

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Like many places across Texas and the nation, McLennan County is seeing an increase in positive COVID-19 test results. We currently have 13 active positive cases that affect employees and students on our campus, and others are in quarantine related to possible exposures. So far, we have done extremely well, and our continued vigilance will serve us well to maintain very few cases. New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explained that face coverings help reduce the emission of the virus from an infected individual, but it can also reduce your inhalation of particles in the air. We must all wear masks that appropriately cover the nose and mouth to protect each other. The CDC estimates 50% of virus transmission comes from infected individuals with no symptoms. This new CDC information supports the importance of our COVID-19 protocols.

Safety Protocols

We know that the fatigue of COVID-19 has set in, but please continue to be diligent and follow the safety protocols so our campus can remain safe and open.

  • Wear a face covering when around people you don’t live with and when in public. (Policy E-XXXXI)
  • Practice social distancing at all times.
  • Avoid large gatherings.
  • Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently.
  • Complete a health self-assessment each day before coming to campus.
  • Stay home if you are not feeling well and submit the self-reporting form.

Free COVID-19 Testing

McLennan will hold free walk-up COVID testing on campus on November 19, 20, 23, and 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Parking Lot N at the CSC. For more information, go to www.covidwaco.com. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this free testing.

High Risk Activities

The following activities are considered higher risk:

  • Shopping in crowded stores.
  • Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside your household.
  • Being in an area that is experiencing high levels of COVID-19 cases.  Check the CDC Travel Health Notices for recommendations before traveling.
  • Attending mass gatherings like sporting events, concerts, or parades.
  • Being in crowds – for example, restaurants, bars, airports, bus and train stations, or movie theaters.
  • Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.

If you have participated in any of these types of activities, please take the following actions to prevent other from getting sick:

  • Practice social distancing from anyone who is not from your household.  Stay at least 6 feet away both indoors and outdoors.
  • Wear a face covering to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home.  We encourage wearing your face covering at all times while on campus unless you are eating or drinking.
  • Practice good hand hygiene often.
  • Monitor your health by checking for any symptoms with the self-assessment.

With less than two weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, we understand there are concerns about the increases in cases. McLennan continues to monitor the local and state situations. We all want to stay safe, and you have done a tremendous job during these difficult times. Together, we will continue to follow safety protocols and keep McLennan healthy.

Johnette E. McKown, President
McLennan Community College