What's Happening in the Community?
- There is widespread community transmission of COVID-19 happening in New York City. Stay home if you are sick. All New Yorkers should monitor their health carefully.
- Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency to contain the spread and ordered nonessential businesses to keep all of their workers home.
- The City of New York has established guidelines and is providing updates via NYC Health
I'm Sick. What Should I Do?
- Call ahead to a healthcare professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.
- Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or contact. Your healthcare professional will work with public health officials to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
- If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, follow the updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What's Happening on Campus?
COVID-19 precautionary measures are being taken:
- The University has launched a COVID-19 Resource Guide for the Columbia Community website.
- As of Monday, March 16, only designated personnel required to perform essential functions should report to work on-site (also see this). All other employees are asked to report to work virtually. All Columbia business travel, both international and domestic, is now suspended
- All classes for the remainder of the semester will be conducted online - spring break has been extended - classes will continue virtually on Thursday, March 26th.
- The Forum, the University Libraries, Dodge Physical Fitness Center, and St. Paul's Chapel are closed until further notice.
- The events policy has been updated to strongly discourage nonessential events of more than 25 people on all of our campuses. University Events Management will not be charge for space or catering if an event is cancelled in advance by visiting their website or writing to uem@columbia.edu.
Important & Useful Links
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
People at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 should follow the latest recommendations from the CDC. Everyone should follow these preventive measures:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm or elbow, or cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Stay home when you are sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Recent COVID-19 Related News
Columbia Starts Screening COVID-19 Survivors for Antibodies That May Save Others
CUIMC has started screening COVID-19 survivors for antibodies that could be used to treat others.
What's Open In Morningside Heights and Manhattanville?
While some businesses have closed completely—many local businesses are still open, but have modified their hours or limited their services.
Actors from the Film Contagion Join Forces with Mailman School of Public Health
The team from CONTAGION is back, and they’re spreading facts— not fear. This time, they joined forces with scientists at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
What Columbia Experts Are Saying
Priya Amin, a Columbia master’s degree candidate writes about measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus in this ABC News article.
Clinical psychologist Anthony Puliafico, Ph.D. recommends on ABC News that you take the coronavirus alert off your smartphone and set a time to check the news only once daily.
Public affairs professor Kenneth Prewitt, who was director of the Census Bureau from 1998 to 2001, writes in The New York Times on how records from government agencies could be used to get an accurate count without knocking on doors.