Spring 2022 COVID-19 Statement

• Context: In contradiction to WHO and CDC recommendations (WHO, Advice for the public and CDC, Considerations for IHEs, updated December 29, 2021), COVID-19 USG/GCSU policy (USG July, USG August, and GCSU August) states that there is no vaccine requirement, there is no mask requirement, there is no physical distancing requirement, and classes must be delivered in person.
• Course Delivery: According to USG/GCSU policy, this course meets in person without vaccination, mask, or physical distancing requirements. At the time of this writing, Omicron is surging such that the test posivity rate in Baldwin County is 46%.  On the first day of class, I will survey the class to determine if any student will not wear a mask. If any student will not wear a mask, then we will hold class outside—rain or shine, hot or cold—until the Omicron surge subsides, i.e., when the test positivity level for Baldwin County falls below 5% and/or the CDC COVID Data Tracker advises that masks are no longer necessary in public, indoor settings in Baldwin County.
  • March 7 Update: The CDC COVID Data Tracker no longer includes mask recommendations. Mask recommendations are now part of the COVID-19 by County Community Level guidance.
• Attendance: This course follows the GCSU mandatory attendance policy, which includes a provision for excessive absences.  Absences due to quarantine and isolation will be considered excused if appropriate documentation from Student Health Services care of Academic Advising is provided. However, any absence beyond seven class periods, regardless of excuse, will be considered excessive and result in the student being dropped from the course and failing.
  • January 20 Update: If Student Health Services or Student Success provides you with an excused absence with a return to class date, do not attend class until at least the return to class date. If you test positive for COVID, continue isolating until you test negative—stay home and do not attend class. If you continue to test positive after the date the university gave you for an excused absence, your positive test counts as an excused absence.
• Quarantine and Isolation: If you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and contact Student Health Services. If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and contact Student Health Services.  If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, stay home and contact Student Health Services.  DPH provides further quarantine information, and GCSU has a decision path for students.  During quarantine and isolation, retrieve class notes from a classmate and consult with me about make up work.
• Office Hours: Since my office cannot accommodate the physical distancing recommended by the CDC, my office hours will be conducted online in accordance with GCSU policy.
• Concerns: If you have concerns regarding USG and GCSU policies that govern course delivery and classroom safety during the ongoing pandemic, share them with university administration and the governor: the English Department chair is Dr. Matthew Pangborn, the College of Arts & Sciences Dean is Dr. Eric Tenbus, the University Provost is Dr. Costas Spirou, the University President is Ms. Cathy Cox; the University System of Georgia Acting Chancellor is Ms. Teresa MacCartney; and the State Governor is Mr. Brian Kemp.
• Additional Resources: BOR Management of Risk details University System of Georgia policy regarding exposure of students, employees, or others to unsafe environments or activities. BOR Code of Conduct maintains that University System of Georgia employees will protect human health and safety. BOR Immunization policy gives the USG the right to require vaccinations during a pandemic. GC COVID-19 Reporting & Confirmed Cases lists the number of infections reported by faculty, staff, and students. CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker provides vaccination reports, test positivity rates, and level of community transmission by county. DPH County Indicator Reports provides weekly test positivity rates by county. COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool calculates the probability of an infected person attending a gathering of 10, 15, 20, or 25 people in a given county. Pandemics Explained COVID-19 Risk Levels provides recommendations for local governments regarding contact tracing and stay-at-home orders based on level of containment or spread in a state or region.

Published: 5 January 2022

Updated: 20 January 2022

Updated: 7 March 2022