Visit the CDC's website for full information, and see below for an overview of what you need to know about COVID-19, preventative measures you can take to keep yourself healthy and what the College is doing to clean and disinfect campus.
- What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
- What are the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- If I'm feeling sick, what should I do?
- How does coronavirus (COVID-19) spread?
- Steps to prevent illness.
- What is MICA doing to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
What are the symptoms?
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
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Fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
If I think I’m feeling sick, what should I do?
COVID-19 presents very similarly to the common flu, so don’t panic if you are symptomatic. Contact the Student Health Center at 410-225-4118 and explain your symptoms. The Health Center staff are trained to assess your symptoms, and will recommend the proper course of action.
How does it spread?
Person-to-person spread:
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
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Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
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Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
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People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
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Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily the virus spreads
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
Steps to Prevent Illness
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
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Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
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Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Clean your hands often
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick
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Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick
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Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
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Throw used tissues in the trash.
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Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
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If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
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If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
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Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
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If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
What is MICA doing to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The College has implemented a number of additional cleaning and sanitizing procedures to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff on campus.
- Building Services will use SOP Green Klean Chlorinated Disinfecting Tablets using an electrostatic sprayer applicator. The SOP Green Klean tablets kill a number of illness-causing bacteria on contact. This product is a water-based application, and will dry in place. High touch areas during the traditional flu season will be sprayed three times each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by two trained Building Services personnel. These areas will also include campus shuttles, the fitness center, the Health Center, Meyerhoff Dining Room and Cafe Doris area, along with all classrooms and public gathering spaces. No artwork or electronics will be sprayed during our applications.
- Building Services is already using Clarion 25 with Microban cleaning solvent in all high touch areas on and around campus until we receive the new SOP Green Klean product. They will use this product in support of the Klean Green product in areas as needed moving forward.
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Building Services is currently using floor wax which contains Microban with Clarion25. This floor wax has been applied at the Meyerhoff Dining Facility and the Campus Health Center floors over the summer and again this winter.
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Facilities Management has purchased 24 Hand Sanitizing stations with Purell Hand Sanitizer for each entrance way into MICA Buildings. The units will be in stock in the coming weeks and positioned as quickly as possible.