Happy December and thanks to all who have made this fall semester such a shining success here at Stony Brook. Students: good luck on finals. Everyone: hope you’re able to start winding down for an enjoyable holiday season.
This Update provides a few more reminders and tips in the meantime, from the Stronger Together team:
Importance of vaccines
Testing and other COVID protocol reminders
Activities/opportunities to take a break and de-stress
Caring, Respect, Civility
Vaccines: Why They’re Still Important and Where to Get Them
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and our own experts at Stony Brook Medicine continue to point to the importance and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, in helping protect individuals against the risks of COVID and the new Omicron variant.
While there are still unanswered questions, Susan V. Donelan, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Renaissance School of Medicine, says, “It is very likely that some protection will still remain from vaccinations provided to date.” She and others also encourage individuals to get vaccinated, including with the booster, if they haven’t yet.
Vaccines are available at our SBU vaccination site located in the Innovation & Discovery Building (IDC) in Stony Brook’s Research and Development (R&D) Park. This site is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:30 pm; Sunday, 8 am to noon. Individuals age 12 and over may either schedule an appointment or ‘walk in’ without one. Appointments are required for children ages 5-11. To make an appointment at this or any other State-run COVID-19 vaccine site, visit visit am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. And for more information about vaccines in general, visit the Vaccine Information page of our Stronger Together website.
Testing: Whose Week It Is and Other Safety Protocols
While it’s easy to have testing, mask and other COVID fatigue after all this time, please continue to follow the protocols that have kept us open for in-person learning, and one of the safest communities around, all semester long.
Fully vaccinated, healthy employees with last names A-E: it’s your week to test; next week (December 6) is F-L. Non-vaccinated individuals (or those who haven’t shown proof of their vaccination) still need to test weekly.
Please also keep your mask on when indoors, wash your hands frequently, and follow healthy cough etiquette to keep us all as healthy and safe as possible through flu season and holiday gathering times.
De-Stress: Take in a Game or Go to an Event
Especially after long periods of hectic schedules and/or stressful times, it’s important to take some breaks and make some time to just enjoy yourself. A few suggestions:
Caring, Respect, Civility
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Contact us at strongertogether@stonybrook.edu with any questions/comments/ideas.
We welcome your feedback!
