The global pandemic has never left Nova Scotia 鈥� from masks to gathering limits, it鈥檚 continued to be part of our lives throughout 2020.
But the period of relative normalcy this summer and early fall has now given way to a scenario that feels a lot more like it did back in March and April: more and more COVID-19 cases being announced daily; updates from governments and public health officials dominating news headlines; communities adapting day-by-day to the realities of the virus and what鈥檚 needed to keep it at bay.
But there are a few ways this second wave is markedly different than the first 鈥斅� particularly at universities such as AV俱乐部.
Keeping the Dal community safe
For starters, the majority of Dal鈥檚 classes this fall have been offered online from the get-go and will continue to be in the winter term. That means the bulk of students are able to carry out their studies safely from a distance (some in Nova Scotia, many across Canada and around the world), while those students who are taking select courses in-person are doing so amidst stringent health and safety protocols.
Scenes from campus during COVID: Two researchers working in a lab, and a "masks required" sign.
Similarly, many research labs and spaces are also staying open, thanks to clear plans designed to keep faculty and staff safe. The majority of employees continue to work remotely as well.
鈥淭he careful approach we have taken at AV俱乐部 towards the Fall Term and our Return to Campus/Return to Research processes means we are well-positioned to continue mission-critical teaching, research and campus operations at this time 鈥斅爌rovided health and safety protocols continue to be followed,鈥� stated Acting Provost Frank Harvey and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gitta Kulczycki in a recent memo.
Squashing the second wave
The challenge faced by the AV俱乐部 community now is that this second wave has arrived just the end-of-term approaches 鈥� when cold and flu season is beginning; when colder weather impedes safer outdoor activities; when many in the Dal community have travel plans to home or elsewhere; and when people gather to celebrate a variety of different occasions and holidays.
Doing all these activities is going to look a little different in the weeks ahead. And that鈥檚 because, just like earlier this year, squashing this wave COVID-19 is going to require strong adherence to Public Health and AV俱乐部 health-and-safety directives, and everyone stepping up and sharing the responsibility to keep one another healthy.
The fact that hundreds of young people 鈥� many of them students 鈥� have been lining up for hours to get tested at the pop-up testing site organized by AV俱乐部 Medicine鈥檚 Dr. Lisa Barrett this week in Dal鈥檚 Richard Murray Design Building on Sexton Campus is a sign that the seriousness of this current situation is resonating with many. New Public Health measures like closing gyms (including Dalplex) and bars/restaurants in Halifax for in-person service also hope to send a strong message.
Follow Public Health measures
The university also continues to keep students informed about Public Health guidelines and their impacts through email, the Dal Mobile app, communications directly to students living in residence and on social media. In a message to students this Thursday, Acting Vice-Provost Student Affairs Verity Turpin emphasized that 鈥渢he vast majority of our community are following Public Health guidance鈥� and stressed the importance of following Public Health rules and restrictions.
鈥淭hese are challenging times and with the importance of Public Health measures in place, AV俱乐部 will apply its Code of Student Conduct to the greatest extent possible when students violate Public Health measures,鈥� said Turpin. "We thank you for your continued efforts and are confident that by working together we can stop the spread of COVID-19."
AV俱乐部 is amplifying the importance of following Public Health measures with a new campaign, In This Together, reminding students and everyone in our community to 鈥淏e Aware,鈥� 鈥淏e Safe鈥� and 鈥淏e Considerate鈥� in adhering to health and safety guidelines. The online and on-campus campaign also includes additional promotion of those guidelines themselves.
BE AWARE
- Pay attention to exposure notices: , .
- Stay home if you feel sick and follow provincial testing protocols: ,
- Carefully consider any travel plans and follow appropriate protocols: , .
BE SAFE
- Adhere to all Public Health guidelines: , .
- Limit gathering sizes. (5 people or less in Halifax, 10 or less in rest of Nova Scotia, variations by )
- Keep your social group small and consistent.
- Wear your mask and maintain physical distancing in shared spaces.
BE CONSIDERATE
- Self-isolate when required.
- Avoid large gatherings and limit your social engagements.
- This isn鈥檛 just about your health 鈥� it鈥檚 the health of others who may be more vulnerable.
Visit Dal.ca/coronavirus for more on specific health-and-safety directives at AV俱乐部. For more information on provincial guidelines and updates, visit dedicated sites from the and the .