[Faculty] Message Regarding COVID-19

[Eugene Olevsky]

Dear Faculty and Staff,


Some of you have asked questions about how the campus is addressing
concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) given the travel warnings and new
cases. I have information to share with the college, and ask that you read
this information in total.



A number of individuals are organized as members of the Emergency
Operations Committee (EOC) to closely follow the conditions internationally
and nationally. Also, the university has suspended study abroad programs in
and non-essential travel to China, South Korea and Italy. With the
exception of programs in those countries, SDSU remains open and classes and
operations will continue as usual.



In recognition of the rapidly evolving events concerning the coronavirus
outbreak, the California State University Chancellor’s Office is directing
all faculty, staff, and students to temporarily avoid all non-essential,
university-related travel to countries that are designated with a CDC level
3 travel warning notice. The Chancellor’s Office further recommends that
students and university employees on state business avoid non-essential
travel to countries in Asia and Europe where the CDC has identified that
sustained transmission of COVID-19 has transpired, or where the virus has
spread.



As has been shared via all campus communications, the risk of COVID-19
exposure within California and at SDSU remains low. No cases of the
coronavirus exist among members of the SDSU community.



Understandably, concerns exist about the new coronavirus. For that reason,
I am encouraging the following with guidance from members of the
university’s EOC:



   - Please stay home if you are sick, and to seek medical attention when
   needed, until you are free of symptoms, including fever, cough or airway
   infections. It is very important that each of us prioritizes our own
   wellness to help prevent the spread of illnesses.
   - Rely on reliable and current sources of information about COVID-19.
   The main authority for our nation is the U.S. Center for Disease Control
   and Prevention, which has a *COVID-19 site
   <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html>*. Please also
   visit SDSU’s *website on the coronavirus
   <https://sa.sdsu.edu/student-health-services/coronavirus>* (COVID-19)
   for information and updates.
   - If you are traveling domestically, purchase trip cancellation
   insurance for all future travel.
   - Take routine safety precautions while traveling on university-related
   business to both domestic and international locations where the risk of
   COVID-19 remains low. These precautions include:
      - Avoiding contact with sick people.
      - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
      - Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at
      least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that
contains 60%
      to 95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.



Also, individuals with pre-existing health concerns may have additional
travel restrictions and those individuals should work with their supervisor
and/or the Office of Employee Relations by calling 619-594-6464 to discuss
reasonable accommodations.



Please be in touch with me directly and copy Marcie Morihiro (
mmorihiro at sdsu.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.


Thank you,

Eugene


Eugene A. Olevsky, Ph.D.; FASME; FACerS; FASM
Dean and Distinguished Professor
College of Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1323
Office: (619)-594-6061
E-mail: eolevsky at sdsu.edu <eolevsky at mail.sdsu.edu>
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