Important Reminder

We are a little past 6 months from the July 2020 research restart.  Given recent events in the department, we’d like to take this moment to remind everyone of the terms of the Community Responsibility Acknowledgement we all signed as a requirement for returning to campus (This is listed below).

In addition, according to the IU COVID-19 information page (https://covid.iu.edu/health-and-safety/isolation-quarantine.html), You should avoid other people and get a virtual screening for COVID-19 if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Use the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic to talk to a health care professional about how you're feeling. They will let you know what to do next and refer you to testing, if needed.

Asymptomatic testing is still being offered (https://bl-tas.eas.iu.edu/svts/appointmentcheck), though appointments are limited.  Mitigation testing is ongoing.

Community Responsibility Acknowledgement

1. Monitor your health

I will monitor my health on a regular basis and take reasonable precautions to minimize my exposure to COVID-19 infection.

In addition to monitoring other symptoms of possible illness or COVID-19 infection (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, chills, muscle pain, loss of smell or taste, and/or shortness of breath), I will take my temperature every day to determine whether I have a fever. This self-assessment of health is required every day regardless of whether I am sick or well.

2. Stay home and contact IU Health if you feel ill

I will notify my supervisor or department chair that I will not be reporting to work and will immediately contact IU Health if:

I have been exposed and/or have reason to believe I have been exposed to COVID-19

I have a fever (temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater)

I am exhibiting other symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, chills, muscle pain, loss of sense of smell or taste, fatigue, headache, congestion or runny nose, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and/or shortness of breath), or

I have been advised by a healthcare professional not to report to work due to actual or possible COVID-19 infection or exposure.

3.  Get tested and stop the spread

Indiana University may require me to get tested for COVID-19 if I am experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.

In the event I am diagnosed with COVID-19, I will cooperate with Indiana University as well as state and local health departments to provide necessary information about the individuals with whom I had close contact at any time during the 14-day period prior to experiencing any symptoms.

I understand that if I am required to self-isolate or am exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID 19 and cannot work, if I am not already entitled to continued compensation during this time away from work, Indiana University will continue my regular compensation (up to a 14 calendar day period) in addition to any accrued time off I have already accumulated.

4.  Follow the on-campus requirements

While on campus, I will:

• • 1. Practice good personal hygiene (washing hands frequently with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap is unavailable)
    2. Routinely clean and sanitize my workspace and shared equipment
    3. Wear a face mask (consistent with CDC guidelines)
    4. Practice physical distancing at all times, and
    5. Adhere to the guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, as well as the federal and Indiana governmental authorities, to protect my health and the health of the Indiana University community

5. Understand the risks

Further the Restart Committee Report states that people are expected to continue to work or teach remotely until notified otherwise. We expect you to adhere to this guideline. Further information about whether your job or your teaching can be effectively conducted remotely will be forthcoming.

However, the Restart Committee also recommends that special consideration should be given to “vulnerable populations within the faculty, staff, and student community”. The CDC has identified the following individuals at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

• • • People 65 years and older
    • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • People who have serious heart conditions
    • People who are immunocompromised
    • People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)*
    • People with diabetes
    • People with sickle cell anemia
    • People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
    • People with liver disease

*Several online calculators are available for BMI, or it may be calculated as 703 x weight in pounds divided by height in inches x height in inches.
Example: 703 x 200 lb./(69 inches x 69 inches) = 29.

6. Know who to contact

Please note, if you need any further information related to these guidelines, best practices, and your individual work environment, you are encouraged to contact your department chair or campus academic affairs office (faculty and academic appointees) or your supervisor or local human resources representative (staff)