A Message about Visitor Protocols, Upcoming Booster Clinic, and What to Do If You Test Positive for COVID-19
- Monkeypox update
- COVID-19 booster shot clinic
- Visitor protocols
- Tested positive for COVID?
Welcome (back) to Annandale, to all our new and returning students, faculty, and staff. We are looking forward to a productive semester together.
Monkeypox update
You may have heard that President Biden declared monkeypox a public health emergency a few weeks ago. Monkeypox is still rare but has gained significant public health and media attention due to the unusual spread of cases globally and here in New York. We are monitoring the situation and want to ensure our community understands the risks and how to prevent illness. The isolation procedures for anyone who tests positive are severe and onerous, including an up to three-week isolation until a new layer of skin has formed, during which time you must avoid contact with other humans and pets and perform extensive self-disinfection of your living space, clothing, and bedding. Therefore, PREVENTION IS KEY, so please review this information carefully.
- What is it? Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not usually cause serious illness, but in rare cases can result in hospitalization or death. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters. Most people infected with monkeypox will get a painful rash.
- How does it spread? Monkeypox predominantly spreads through close physical contact between people. A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Anyone can get monkeypox. During this current outbreak, cases are primarily spreading via sex and other intimate contact, but the virus can also be spread through shared contact with sheets, towels, and other items that come into contact with infected skin.
- How can I avoid it? We urge everyone to read through these “prevention” tips from the New York City Department of Health to avoid exposure and potential transmission. Key among them is reducing or avoiding intimate contact - including shared clothing and bedding - with others. Individuals at highest risk are those who have sex with multiple partners.
- What should I do if I think I have monkeypox? If you have any symptoms consistent with monkeypox as outlined above, particularly if you have recently been in intimate contact with another person, and you start to suffer symptoms, call the Bard Health Service immediately. Faculty and staff with questions or concerns should consult with their primary care physician.
- Is there a vaccine? There is a vaccine that is very effective, but supplies are limited and are controlled by public health authorities. You can check your eligibility and, if eligible, register for vaccination in Dutchess County here. The limited supply of vaccines is why avoiding exposure and preventing spread are critical.
COVID-19 booster shot clinic
Last week the CDC approved “updated boosters” of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which provide broad protections against COVID-19 including the Omicron variant. The Moderna booster is authorized for people age 18 and older, whereas the Pfizer booster is authorized for people age 12 and older.
Current college policy is to require that all faculty, staff, and students - except for those few who have applied for and received medical or religious exemptions - be fully vaccinated and have at least one booster shot. The additional booster that was authorized by the CDC last week is strongly recommended but not required at this point in time.
The College will be hosting a booster clinic on Monday September 19th from 11am-2pm in the Stevenson Athletic Center for those members of the Bard community who wish to obtain the newly approved updated booster shot. Registration information for that clinic will be disseminated soon.
Visitor protocols
We would like to remind you that anyone—student, faculty, or staff—who wishes to host a visitor inside College facilities is asked to ensure that your visitor is fully vaccinated and boosted. It is your responsibility as host to request proof of vaccination status.
If your intended visitor is vaccinated and recently tested positive for COVID, they may come to campus only if both of the following are true:
- They are no longer experiencing symptoms
- It has been at least 5 days since they tested positive. If it has been more than 5 days but less than 10 days since their positive test, they must be masked throughout their time inside campus facilities or in any kind of group setting.
Tested positive for COVID?
At the request of some members of our community, we are resharing this information about what to do if you test positive for COVID. These protocols have been in place since January, and have worked well for our community in slowing the spread of COVID and preventing serious illness.
- Notify: your close contacts. Faculty and staff should also notify Human Resources if a positive test will cause you to miss work. Students who test positive should also notify the Bard Health Service at 845-758-7433.
- Isolate: In accordance with CDC guidance, anyone who tests positive can be released from isolation after five full days if they are not experiencing symptoms.
- Students: Like last year, any student who tests positive will be asked to isolate in their on-campus room or off-campus residence after their initial positive test. If they are still experiencing symptoms after 5 days, they should remain isolated until they are no longer symptomatic. If their symptoms end between 5 and 10 days after their initial positive test, they may end their isolation but must remain masked indoors or in group settings until day 10.
- Faculty and staff: Please notify Human Resources (845-752-4931 or 845-750-5812) of your positive test, and isolate at home.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
[email protected]
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Christian Ayne Crouch, Dean of Graduate Studies
Deirdre d'Albertis, Vice President and Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office, Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
David Lindholm, Athletic Director
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Andrea Provan, Assistant Director of Health Services
Michael Sadowski, Associate Dean of the College
David Shein, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Studies
Yakira Teitel, Director of Health Services
Pete Verdesi, Director, Safety and Security
Dumaine Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs
Hannah Zipple, Dean of Students
For more information, call 845-758-6822.
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