Young Harris College established a Pandemic Taskforce Response Team that’s actively engaged in monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation and preparing our campus to continue operations in a safe and healthy manner. Our team lead, Dr. Todd Jones, has extensive experience in disaster management through his work as superintendent of the U.S. Center for Domestic Preparedness. Dr. Jones serves as Dean of the Division of Professional Studies; Associate Professor of Business and Public Policy; and Director of the Institute for Leadership, Business and Public Policy at YHC. In following his emergency management expertise and counsel, our campus is taking the following precautions to prepare for COVID-19:
- A Health and Safety Check will be performed during Spring Break, and bathrooms will be sanitized.
- With the exception of The Towers, disinfectant products and instructions on how to use the products will be available in all residence halls and apartments so students can continue to sanitize their bathrooms. Bathrooms in The Towers will continue to be cleaned on their regular schedule.
- Sanitation stations will be installed in various locations on campus.
- The College has an email address ([email protected]) and a hotline (706-379-5383) dedicated to fielding questions and concerns regarding our COVID-19 Preparedness Planning. We will respond to all messages within one (1) business day.
There are some precautionary measures you should take, including:
- Use personal hygiene best practices to reduce sickness. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
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Be mindful of your personal health, and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:
o Fever
o Cough
o Shortness of breath
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Although there is no campus nurse, the Union General Clinic is located next to campus and has trained medical professionals available for the campus community. - Be mindful of your travel plans. Many countries are issuing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. We recommend you check the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisories at Travel.State.Gov before traveling. At this time, YHC hasn’t imposed any return-to-campus restrictions. However, this is a rapidly evolving situation, and the College asks you to check yhc.edu before you return to campus from Spring Break to see if there are any restrictions on returning.
Additional information on COVID-19 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov, including the following information on prevention:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
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Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
o CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
o Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility). -
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
o If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Feel free to share this information with your family members. We appreciate your help keeping the YHC campus safe and healthy.
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