Dear Patriots,Ìý
As weÌýgraduateÌýour next class of Patriots into the world, I want to thank the entire Mason community for its contributions toÌýthe 2021-2022Ìýacademic year.ÌýDespite the persistence of COVID-19, we were able toÌýsuccessfullyÌýopen our campuses andÌýcome togetherÌý—Ìýin personÌý—Ìýto learn, live, work, and thrive.Ìý
Now, the summer seasonÌýis upon us, andÌýasÌýmany of usÌýlook forward toÌýtime away with friends and family,ÌýweÌýmust remember thatÌýCOVIDÌýisn’tÌýtaking aÌýsummer break.ÌýCOVIDÌýcaseÌýnumbers continue to rise, and several local countiesÌý(Fairfax, Arlington,ÌýLoudoun,Ìýand Prince William)Ìýare inÌýthe MEDIUMÌýtransmission zone. Health department and other agencies project thatÌýdespite the warm weather and time of year,Ìýour regionÌýmay reachÌýHIGHÌýtransmission levels at some point this summer.
ÌýAs prevalence and community spread continue to increase, there isÌýan increased riskÌýof becoming infected during your daily activities.ÌýAndÌýwhile vaccines are very effective to lessen the severity of illness, you can still have a newÌýCOVIDÌýinfection even if you are vaccinated and boosted.ÌýYou can also have a newÌýCOVIDÌýinfection if you have had a prior infection as newÌývariantsÌýcirculate.Ìý
The good news is that MasonÌýPatriotsÌýknow how to fight COVID and lowerÌýour risk.ÌýYou canÌýprotect yourself,ÌýyourÌýfamily andÌýfriends,ÌýandÌývulnerable community membersÌýby voluntarily takingÌýtheseÌýsteps:
- Get your vaccine series and any eligible boosters to lessen your risk of severe disease. You can schedule an appointment to be vaccinated at Mason: Ìý
- Avoid very crowded places and opt to wear a mask if you must be inÌýaÌýcrowded place or indoor area with others.
- If you are not having symptoms but wish to test after a possible exposure/event, prior to seeing someone who is especially at risk, for general reassurance, or to help contribute to mitigation of spread on campus, please utilize our surveillance testing program atÌýFenwick A, Colgan Hall (SciTech), or VanÌýMetreÌýHall (Mason Square).
- If you are having symptoms,Ìýseek out a diagnostic PCR test.ÌýThese are free and available to you on campus for students at SHS, and for employees at SEERM's drive up diagnostic site at the Peterson Clinic.ÌýÌýSummer residential students will be required to test three times this summer starting this week. (Detailed information is being sent directly to residential students.) These appointments can be scheduled in yourÌýMedicatÌý.
- ConsiderÌýutilizingÌýan at-home rapid test if you have any questionable symptoms.Ìý(Vaccinated, low-risk people often have mild symptoms that can be mistaken for allergies, yet they areÌýactually infectiousÌýand at risk of spreading COVID to others).Ìý
- ContinueÌýto report COVID illnesses through the Mason COVID Health Check tool at:Ìý.ÌýThisÌýis aÌýrequiredÌýstepÌýwhen utilizing Mason’s testing facilities.
As always, we will continue to monitor and keep you informed of changes.Ìý
Thank you for your commitment and diligence to keeping yourself and our community healthy and safe this summer.Ìý
Sincerely,Ìý
Gregory Washington
President
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý