JAN. 29, 2020
Dear campus community,
The Centers for Disease Control and U.S. State Department have recently issued public alerts related to the new coronavirus, a respiratory illness that was first identified last month in Wuhan, China. While Drury University has a strong international component, I want you to know that none of the reported cases in China or around the world have any connection to the university. In fact, no cases have been reported in the state of Missouri at this time. Still, we here at Drury continue to monitor the issue closely.
Public health officials consider the immediate health risk to the American public to be low at this time, but it is important that we remain vigilant as a campus community. This week the CDC issued a Level 3 travel advisory, which recommends Americans cease all non-essential travel to China. If officials maintain a Level 3 advisory in the coming months, then Drury will consider other options for any planned student travel to China this summer.
The spread of the coronavirus is believed to be similar to the spread of other respiratory viruses. This is also flu season, and flu cases in Greene County are on the rise. The CDC recommends that everyone engage in good hand hygiene and take preventative measures to avoid the spread of disease, including getting a flu shot. Those with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette — maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow (not your hands) — and wash hands.
As a reminder, all students, faculty and staff can access the on-campus Panther Clinic – including getting a flu shot. Flu shots are free of charge for all faculty and staff, full-time day school students, and international students who have opted into the insurance plan Drury offers. I recommend you do so if you feel are sick with flu-like symptoms. No appointment is necessary. You can contact the clinic at 873-6300 if you have questions.
Thank you for your attention to this issue, and please have a healthy rest of your semester.
Dr. Tim Cloyd, President
