COVID-19 campus update: Research ramp-up and severe weather reminders
Research ramp-up town hall
In a May 27 message to the UI research community, Vice President for Research Marty Scholtz provided more details about the first phase of restarting research activities on campus, starting with a pilot project involving laboratories in the Carver College of Medicine.
The Office of the Vice President for Research will host a town hall at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, to provide more details and gather feedback on the return to research operations on campus. To join on Tuesday, please use this Zoom link (HawkID authentication will be required).
In the meantime, researchers are urged to complete their individual plans for returning to campus.
Sheltering from severe weather during COVID-19
As severe weather season continues despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to reacquaint yourself with how to prepare for severe weather no matter where you’re working, living, or learning. In consultation with public health officials, here are some tips to help you prepare to lower the risk of infection while sheltering in UI or other facilities:
- Seek the best available refuge area immediately when there is an imminent threat of a tornado or other applicable severe weather warning.
- If you do not have a basement, seek shelter in the lowest, innermost part of the building. Stay away from windows, and stay in place until the storm has passed.
- If a public tornado shelter is your best option, do not let concern about contracting the COVID-19 virus prevent you from seeking refuge.
- Practice physical distancing by keeping at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others as much as possible while recognizing the potential imminent weather threat.
- Cover coughs and sneezes while sheltering, and wear a face covering.
- Avoid touching high-touch surfaces, such as hand rails, as much as possible. If not possible, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol as soon as possible.
Additional sources of information pertaining to severe weather can be found at:
