Coronavirus update for Thursday, March 5

As part of our COVID-19 response, we will be sending daily updates with information and resources. These messages will always link back to Western’s coronavirus webpage, where you will find our FAQs, links, and other information. Your comments, feedback, and suggestions are very welcome! Contact us here: https://www.wwu.edu/wwucontact

Focus on Prevention

Right now, prevention is the primary strategy for responding to coronavirus. While we are planning and preparing for a variety of possible future situations, we can also take decisive action right now to slow the spread of the virus.

Individually, the same approach we use to prevent influenza and colds works:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands!) when coughing or sneezing, and put your used tissues promptly into the trash.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, using good handwashing techniques. Here’s a video, if you need a refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IisgnbMfKvI. Or you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
• If you feel ill, stay home. Consult a health care provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.

As an institution, we are also taking community-level action. Custodial staff have received new training specifically about cleaning and disinfection for transmission reduction. We are switching to COVID-19 approved cleaning products, and we are increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting in public areas and restrooms — the areas already cleaned by custodial staff. We are also identifying high-traffic areas, such as customer-service counters, for additional cleaning. We have identified all the Bellingham academic building restrooms which aren’t currently stocked with paper towels, and will be stocking and replenishing them as part of regular cleaning as soon as the paper products are available. 

Hand sanitizer dispensers around campus are being filled, and we are purchasing and will install more wall-mounted dispensers. If you need a restroom serviced, or would like to request a hand sanitizer dispenser, please use the READY system to make that request. Orders will be filled as quickly and strategically as possible. We are also leveraging our purchasing system to order supplies of anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, and other disinfecting products, so that we will be ready to respond to changing circumstances. 

We are increasing our prevention education efforts. Expect to see posters around campus, messages on social media, electronic reader boards, and other communications around campus with prevention messages.

It is absolutely vital that we support each other and act as a community, recognizing that discrimination and bias have no place in our response, and showing compassion for those affected by this disease.

This is a challenging time. And we are a caring, creative, intelligent community which can take meaningful action to support the best possible outcomes. Thank you for all you are doing and will continue to do in the weeks ahead.

Melynda Huskey

Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services

Western Washington University