ETSU Has Updated Its Face Covering Policy

From East Tennessee State University:

The following memo was sent to students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021:

Dear ETSU community,

The start of the fall semester affords the opportunity to renew our commitment to the longstanding teaching, research, and service missions at East Tennessee State University, as well as our overall mission to improve the lives of the people of our region. In that spirit, it is important that we take the necessary measures to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

While this is an exciting time for our campus, we are simultaneously witnessing a significant increase in the number of reported cases of COVID-19 across our region. This increase is primarily the result of the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant, coupled with the reality that vaccination rates across our region trail national averages. We recognize that this situation is disappointing and discouraging, especially given the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines. In light of the evolving recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as reports that our local hospital system is nearing capacity, the need has risen for us to modify and reinstitute our emergency policy regarding face coverings.

Effective Wednesday, August 4, face coverings will be required in most indoor settings for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This action applies to those who have been vaccinated, as well as those who have yet to receive the vaccine. Students, employees, and guests may remove their face coverings while eating or drinking, and face coverings are not required for individual private offices or residence hall rooms. Please note that the ETSU policy on remote work remains unchanged, as do all other elements of our Modified Stage 4 operational plans, including events. In light of the fluid landscape created by the rapid spread of the Delta variant, the Bucs Are Back website, the FAQs and campus signage will continue to be updated. It is our sincere hope that these adjustments to our operating plans for the fall semester will be temporary and that we can return to a more traditional operating structure.

Vaccination remains our best option for preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19, and ETSU vehemently encourages all students, faculty, and staff who have not been vaccinated to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Our partners at ETSU Health will continue to host free vaccine clinics throughout the coming weeks and there are ample sites available across the region to receive the lifesaving vaccine. Information regarding free vaccination opportunities is available at Vaccines.gov or Ballad Health. We strongly encourage all members of the community to dispel disinformation campaigns and take the appropriate steps to protect you and your family from the Delta variant.

Thank you for all you have done throughout the past nineteen months to protect your health and the health of members of the ETSU community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian Noland
President

Dr. Bill Block
Vice President for Clinical Affairs
Dean of Quillen College of Medicine

This press release was produced by East Tennessee State University. The views expressed are the author's own.