SU Suspends Residential Instruction Effective End of Day Friday, March 13; University to Transition to Online Learning

[RandomGuy]

This is an excellent article. Thank you very much for sharing even though it raises my concerns about what we are doing/not doing. I am not in a high risk group but I interact with people who are. Yesterday I made the decision to make my last visits to my 78yo mother at her Alzheimer's care facility and my 77yo father-in-law at his Rehabilitation Hospital (she won't notice my absence but he certainly will). My 82yo father is still in his home and going strong but he gets no more hugs for the foreseeable future. Those are the positive things I'm doing to protect my loved ones; however, I am selfishly still taking my vacation to Florida, partially driven by the fact that my husband is a physician and he fully expects his hospital to soon issue a travel ban for all docs to keep them close at hand. I want him to have a week of rest and relaxation before his marathon begins.

I saw some Doc's citing that. It makes an important distinction between true, and diagnosed cases. Based on existing data, it makes the argument that there are likely 16000 true cases currently in Washington. Although, factoring the nursing home cluster, the real # may be only 3000. The current time for it to double is 6.2 days. (That gives over 1 million cases by the end of April)

Some interesting stuff in there, with just the #'s. No need to freak out, that does nothing, but good info for those want to make their own decisions.

With folks freely moving around, one would expect the healthcare system to be overwhelmed. Fatality rate is 3 -5%, in that case.

 

[reedny]

This is an excellent article. Thank you very much for sharing even though it raises my concerns about what we are doing/not doing. I am not in a high risk group but I interact with people who are. Yesterday I made the decision to make my last visits to my 78yo mother at her Alzheimer's care facility and my 77yo father-in-law at his Rehabilitation Hospital (she won't notice my absence but he certainly will). My 82yo father is still in his home and going strong but he gets no more hugs for the foreseeable future. Those are the positive things I'm doing to protect my loved ones; however, I am selfishly still taking my vacation to Florida, partially driven by the fact that my husband is a physician and he fully expects his hospital to soon issue a travel ban for all docs to keep them close at hand. I want him to have a week of rest and relaxation before his marathon begins.

I'd avoid Jet Blue.

J.H. has a good tracking system, here:

ArcGIS Dashboards

ArcGIS Dashboards

gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com

 

[reedny]

I saw some Doc's citing that. It makes an important distinction between true, and diagnosed cases. Based on existing data, it makes the argument that there are likely 16000 true cases currently in Washington. Although, factoring the nursing home cluster, the real # may be only 3000. The current time for it to double is 6.2 days. (That gives over 1 million cases by the end of April)

Some interesting stuff in there, with just the #'s. No need to freak out, that does nothing, but good info for those want to make their own decisions.

With folks freely moving around, one would expect the healthcare system to be overwhelmed. Fatality rate is 3 -5%, in that case.

This sample is only 3/5 and 3/6. But if it's indicative, the infection rate doubles every 2 days once it hits the 40% threshold (we've hit it).

 

[Nāraṅga]

I'd avoid Jet Blue.

J.H. has a good tracking system, here:

ArcGIS Dashboards

ArcGIS Dashboards

gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com

Haha - I'll be on Southwest with my pack of wipes and hand gel, glaring at anyone who dares to sit in my 6' bubble. Good thing most flights are no longer at capacity.

 

[Nāraṅga]

Hopefully there won't be an idiot on board who had a diagnosis pre-flight. If that's the case, you'll need a hazmat outfit to avoid infection.

Idiocy is nearly guaranteed. I accept the risks and will quarantine myself when I return. Who knows, by that time we all might not have a choice!

 

[RandomGuy]

The problem is that you're infectious before you know. 4 -12? Days

 

[reedny]

The problem is that you're infectious before you know. 4 -12? Days

That's why testing is so important - to measure the virus and manage our response to it. We're not only stunningly unprepared, for some reason (?) our testing guidelines have been artificially constricted:

 

[RandomGuy]

That's why testing is so important - to measure the virus and manage our response to it. We're not only stunningly unprepared, for some reason (?) our testing guidelines have been artificially constricted:

View attachment 177860

Apparently, the CDCs initial test kits were flawed, and set us back a couple weeks.

 

[reedny]

Apparently, the CDCs initial test kits were flawed, and set us back a couple weeks.

It's actually much worse. We might be 2 months behind. Test kit flaws were just the start. The CDC was given pitifully inadequate resources to manage this threat - shortages in both materials and personnel. They can't produce test kits because they don't have enough people and they lack the necessary chemicals - called reagents. Crisis teams - set up by the prior administration at DOD, NSC and CDC - were gutted in 2018, along with 15B in funding. You've got stooges involved now instead of health professionals - hence the CDC/HHS meetings have been "classified" - to limit the information available to the public. This is just as much a governance disaster as a health crisis.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[Nāraṅga]

Not that I really expect anyone to care about my Florida vacation and in normal circumstances I would never post such "who cares" information (there's a reason I'm not on FaceBook, etc), but with blessed little else to talk about, I'll subject you to my experience.

We flew out of Baltimore/Washington on Friday morning. This daily garage image was our first clue that things were not normal.

Then we got on the shuttle bus and there were two groups not only from our town (an hour away) but our small school district. One couple going off for a golf vacation and one a mother/daughter pair heading to the Bahamas on ...here I get to have this post be at least somewhat related to the topic... Spring Break from SU. The student is a Senior and her main concern is that her senior year may have suddenly screeched to a halt and that she might not get back on campus for graduation. It suddenly mitigates all the complaints about not getting to have graduation in the Dome when the alternative is no graduation at all.

When we got on our plane there were only 82 passengers with 100+ empty seats. The attendants had to space us out to make sure the plane was relatively balanced. Social distancing achieved!
We got into the most spotless, COVID-19-cleaned rental car ever and went to the grocery store were there were not as many people as expected at this time of year. Hand sanitizer was really the only thing absent although TP was in short supply (just don't understand that). Our son traveled on Saturday and had his plane delayed twice. The desk agent said it was because FL air traffic control was limiting the number of flights landing at any given time but I suspect it was to consolidate flights. He had 96 passengers when he finally left. We went to one of our regular restaurants where there is normally 30-60min wait. We walked right in to a 60% full dining room and they handed each of us a individually wrapped handi-wipe before allowing us to select an outside table. Social distance achieved again! Concerns and comments about COVID-19 are obvious and abundant.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Not that I really expect anyone to care about my Florida vacation and in normal circumstances I would never post such "who cares" information (there's a reason I'm not on FaceBook, etc), but with blessed little else to talk about, I'll subject you to my experience.

We flew out of Baltimore/Washington on Friday morning. This daily garage image was our first clue that things were not normal.

Then we got on the shuttle bus and there were two groups not only from our town (an hour away) but our small school district. One couple going off for a golf vacation and one a mother/daughter pair heading to the Bahamas on ...here I get to have this post be at least somewhat related to the topic... Spring Break from SU. The student is a Senior and her main concern is that her senior year may have suddenly screeched to a halt and that she might not get back on campus for graduation. It suddenly mitigates all the complaints about not getting to have graduation in the Dome when the alternative is no graduation at all.

When we got on our plane there were only 82 passengers with 100+ empty seats. The attendants had to space us out to make sure the plane was relatively balanced. Social distancing achieved!
We got into the most spotless, COVID-19-cleaned rental car ever and went to the grocery store were there were not as many people as expected at this time of year. Hand sanitizer was really the only thing absent although TP was in short supply (just don't understand that). Our son traveled on Saturday and had his plane delayed twice. The desk agent said it was because FL air traffic control was limiting the number of flights landing at any given time but I suspect it was to consolidate flights. He had 96 passengers when he finally left. We went to one of our regular restaurants where there is normally 30-60min wait. We walked right in to a 60% full dining room and they handed each of us a individually wrapped handi-wipe before allowing us to select an outside table. Social distance achieved again! Concerns and comments about COVID-19 are obvious and abundant.

Thanks for sharing. It's important to record these stories.

I had a talk with my 8 year old son yesterday about how he's living history right now. He knows I grew up during the blizzard of '93 and the microburst of '99 and thinks it's cool I experienced natural disasters. I talked with him about how this is bigger than both of those things.

He has started keeping a Coronavirus journal. It's interesting reading the things he decides to record and what stands out to him. The perspective from 8 year old eyes is fascinating.

 

[Nāraṅga]

Thanks for sharing. It's important to record these stories.

I had a talk with my 8 year old son yesterday about how he's living history right now. He knows I grew up during the blizzard of '93 and the microburst of '99 and thinks it's cool I experienced natural disasters. I talked with him about how this is bigger than both of those things.

He has started keeping a Coronavirus journal. It's interesting reading the things he decides to record and what stands out to him. The perspective from 8 year old eyes is fascinating.

What an amazing way to allow him to address any feelings he may be having about the situation (and you be aware of them) and giving him tools to gain a sense of control.

Now that you mention the Blizzard of '93... Do you realize that it was exactly 27 years ago this weekend? I recall because it was my birthday and I "accidentally" got snowed in at my then fiancé's apartment. I have fond memories of that weekend. We celebrate 27yrs of marriage in June!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

What an amazing way to allow him to address any feelings he may be having about the situation (and you be aware of them) and giving him tools to gain a sense of control.

Now that you mention the Blizzard of '93... Do you realize that it was exactly 27 years ago this weekend? I recall because it was my birthday and I "accidentally" got snowed in at my then fiancé's apartment. I have fond memories of that weekend. We celebrate 27yrs of marriage in June!

I didn't realize that. The biggest things I remember from the blizzard are going to Pond Street Wegmans and the two most crowded parts of the store were the bottled water and the video rental spot, and going to my grandparents house in Liverpool to hunker down. When we woke up the front door was snowed in, and to leave the house you had to drop out of the second floor windows.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

Thanks for sharing. It's important to record these stories.

I had a talk with my 8 year old son yesterday about how he's living history right now. He knows I grew up during the blizzard of '93 and the microburst of '99 and thinks it's cool I experienced natural disasters. I talked with him about how this is bigger than both of those things.

He has started keeping a Coronavirus journal. It's interesting reading the things he decides to record and what stands out to him. The perspective from 8 year old eyes is fascinating.

that’s remarkable. Your son sounds super bright oitg.

most of my coronavirus related discussions with Shrmdougluvr Jr. pertain to why it’s a bad idea for him to pick his nose and eat it. He’s 9.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

that’s remarkable. Your son sounds super bright oitg.

most of my coronavirus related discussions with Shrmdouglvr Jr. pertain to why it’s a bad idea for him to pick his nose and eat it. He’s 9.

I lol'd.

Yeah, my son's borderline creepy smart for his age. It can be fun.

 

[OrangeDW]

I didn't realize that. The biggest things I remember from the blizzard are going to Pond Street Wegmans and the two most crowded parts of the store were the bottled water and the video rental spot, and going to my grandparents house in Liverpool to hunker down. When we woke up the front door was snowed in, and to leave the house you had to drop out of the second floor windows.

I was snowed in at a hotel with the rest of my travel basketball team. We had a tournament that weekend and got “stuck” there for a few days.

“Stuck” meant we spent the days playing nerf hoop in the hallway of the hotel, going in the pool, and riding the elevators up and down(elevators were kind of a big deal to us - I don’t think any of us had been out much at that point, lol) and generally messing around. It was awesome as far as we were concerned!

 

[CuseLegacy]

Additional Guidance for Faculty and Staff—COVID-19

Sunday, March 15, 2020, By News Staff

Dear Faculty and Staff:
Syracuse University continues to closely monitor and evaluate health advisories and guidance from federal, state and local public health officials related to the COVID-19 health emergency. Accordingly, given new and updated guidance, we write today to communicate important information for faculty and staff. Specifically:

• Effective Tuesday, March 17, and through to March 30, only essential faculty and staff should report to our Syracuse, New York, campus.
• Supervisors within the schools, colleges and units will determine essential personnel and advise employees of that determination.
• All faculty and staff who are not required to report to campus will coordinate remote work arrangement with their immediate supervisor.
• Supervisors will register remote work arrangement through the existing online system, previously detailed by the Office of Human Resources. If staff have already made arrangements and received approval from their supervisor, those arrangements remain in effect and should be registered in the system.
• Faculty and staff working in our centers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles should expect direction from your supervisor related to reporting procedures.

Importantly, we take these steps to reduce the density of employees on campus, consistent with social distancing best practices positioned to mitigate the potential of COVID-19 exposure. The University otherwise remains open, and we will continue to provide necessary services to support our students, faculty and our academic mission.
Thank you to all of you for your ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of our campus community.
Sincerely,
Andrew Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

 

[NJCuse97]

I didn't realize that. The biggest things I remember from the blizzard are going to Pond Street Wegmans and the two most crowded parts of the store were the bottled water and the video rental spot, and going to my grandparents house in Liverpool to hunker down. When we woke up the front door was snowed in, and to leave the house you had to drop out of the second floor windows.

I love talking about this storm. I am holding back at this moment because I can get too verbose about it. Yes, it was the last weekend of spring break and classes were canceled for what we were told was either the first or second time in school history. Some freshman year. Full tie together, the roof was deflated to melt and drain that weekend.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[RandomGuy]

It's been extended for the remainder of the semester.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Coronavirus Update: Free Bus Tickets Available for Students; Buses Depart Beginning at Noon Today

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, By News Staff

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Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

Yesterday, Amanda Nicholson, interim deputy senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience, shared a communication with students and parents concerning steps the University is taking to help students still residing on campus depart for home quickly and safely. One of those steps is to organize no-cost bus service to transport students from Syracuse University to major cities including New York; Philadelphia; Boston; Rockaway, New Jersey; and Washington, D.C.

I write with urgency this morning to encourage those of you currently residing in University housing who are in a position to take advantage of this resource to please do so. Here’s what you need to know:

• Free bus tickets will be available to students for major cities such as New York; Philadelphia; Boston; Rockaway, New Jersey; and Washington, D.C.
• The first buses will depart campus at noon today (Tuesday, March 17).
• Consistent with best social distancing practices, buses are limited in capacity.
• To reserve bus tickets, go to the online Box Office. The bus tickets are available to reserve right now.
• If you are going to take one of these buses, please take all of your belongings (or as much as you can) with you on the bus.

If you have additional questions, please call the information line at 315.443.8472.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

 

[CuseLegacy]