Loyola Community,

While the city and state are loosening up restrictions, remember that COVID-19 is still very prevalent in the area and is by far the scariest thing you'll encounter this Halloween.

Large parties and crowded clubs or bars have the potential to become super spreading events. And excessive alcohol consumption will impair your judgment and prevent you from taking proper precautions.

As we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving, remember that continuing to make safe decisions will mean that you can go home as scheduled and won't bring the virus to your families.

This Halloween, we urge you to make plans with only your closest “boos” in order to keep your bubble small. There are still plenty of ways to celebrate the spirit of the season! Here are a few options:

Haunted Halloween
Hosted by the Commuter Student Association
Wednesday, October 28, 6 – 8 p.m. CDT
Satchmo’s Lounge
Pick-Ur-Treat
Hosted by Beta Beta Beta Honors Society
Thursday, October 29, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT
Halloween Movie Trivia
Hosted by University Programming Board
Thursday, October 29, 7 – 8 p.m.
Audubon Room
Candy Cruise
Tuesday, October 27 from 5 – 8 p.m.
City Park (off-campus event, not hosted by Loyola)

Our Public Health Team Expands!

We’re thrilled to welcome Chrissie Scott-Waldron as the newest addition to Student Health Services. As a public health coordinator, Chrissie will help manage our contact tracing protocols and health and safety guidelines at Loyola. Working with departments across the university, she will assist with health promotion campaigns and coordinate case management and epidemiologic risk assessments on campus.

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Chrissie has proudly called New Orleans home for the last 15 years. After completing her graduate studies in parasitology and tropical medicine at Tulane University, she’s spent the last 14 years working in academia and for the Louisiana Department of Health in the coordination, creation, development, implementation, and evaluation of epidemiological programs for infectious diseases. She’s led outbreak investigations, managed public health informatics systems, and assisted with statewide emergency preparedness and response efforts. She brings a wide array of expertise to Loyola and will play an important role in keeping our community healthy and safe!

Expanding the Definition of “Close Contact”

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded their definition of close contact, which is how our contact tracing team determines if you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 and need to quarantine.

Here’s how the CDC now defines close contact:

Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to testing) until the time the patient is isolated.

Here’s what that means for you:

This is an important change because it illustrates just how easily this virus can be transmitted. Spending 5 minutes here or there in close proximity to another person over a 24-hour period adds up and creates a situation that is more likely to allow the virus to spread. Please continue to social distance and maintain at least 6 feet from others at all times.

Keep in mind:

The closer you are to another person, the more likely you are to increase your risk of
exposure.
Certain activities, like yelling, cheering, or singing, are more likely to create respiratory droplets in the air that can spread to others. Similarly, showing symptoms like coughing or sneezing can indicate a higher risk of exposure.
The space where you are interacting with matters. If you’re in an indoor area, crowded space, or room with poor ventilation, then your risk of exposure is higher.

Mask Up—It’s the Law

At Loyola, we wear face masks because we care about the safety and well-being of everyone in our community. But going without a mask in public also has serious consequences. The City of New Orleans announced last week that anyone in public without a mask can be charged a fine of up to $500.

After breaking up many large gatherings in the French Quarter and around town, police will be issuing citations to help reduce non-compliance of this important safety measure. So whether you’re on campus or not, please be sure to wear your mask in public settings and when you interact with others.

Exercise your right to vote—safely! Election day is one week away. We hope you’ve made your plan to vote (if you haven’t already mailed your ballot or voted early). Don’t forget to wear your mask, stay socially distanced, and use hand sanitizer after touching surfaces.

Free asymptomatic testing is available through the City of New Orleans. Check the NOLA Ready website for details about these and other options available through local healthcare providers. Keep in mind closures due to Tropical Storm Zeta.

Students, faculty, and staff can use the Reportline if they see anyone on campus disregarding our safety policies. File through the Reportline website or call the toll-free number at 855.312.9257.

COVID Connections is a round-up of important information to help keep everyone in our campus community informed and safe. It arrives in your inbox every Tuesday, with special editions on other days if needed. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.

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6363 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA | 70115 US

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