COVID-19 Coordinator Weekly Updates
All messages below were sent out by Stephanie S. Spangler, M.D., Vice Provost for Health Affairs and Academic Integrity.
October 22, 2021
- Am I eligible for a vaccine booster?
- Can I choose my vaccine?
- What if I don’t get a booster?
- Where can I get my booster?
October 15, 2021
- Staying safer when traveling or staying put
- More flu shot appointments now available
- Update on boosters
October 8, 2021
- COVID-19 testing: What, who, how, and why
- An update on events, gatherings, and meetings
October 1, 2021
- Reconnecting back on campus: reminders of policies and resources
- Important COVID-19 vaccine updates: especially with regard to pregnancy
- Flu shots: schedule yours soon
September 24, 2021
- An update on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
- How Facilities Operations and EHS have assessed and optimized air quality and ventilation across campus
September 17, 2021
- An updated policy on events, gatherings, and meetings effective September 20
- Why more people are not notified when someone tests positive for COVID-19
- Find your flu shot
September 10, 2021
- Why making a community commitment is so important
- Who is notified when someone tests positive for COVID-19
September 3, 2021
- Why gathering in the classroom is permitted, but large social gatherings are discouraged
- Guidelines for socializing more safely
- Where to find wellness resources in stressful times
August 27, 2021
- Continuing to answer your questions from President Salovey’s Town Hall
- An update to contact tracing protocols
- FDA grants full approval for “Comirnaty”
August 20, 2021
- A reminder to be mindful of gatherings: location, duration, and ability to distance.
- More information on who qualifies for an additional dose of vaccine, and how to schedule one.
- Next week’s Town Hall offers an opportunity to have your questions answered by public health experts.
August 13, 2021
- Pacing the return to campus supports in-person teaching and learning.
- The CDC issues new guidance.
- If your vaccination documentation has not been verified, check to see if your documents are missing key information.
August 6, 2021
- Why we moved to yellow alert status
- What you can do to protect yourself
July 30, 2021
- The CDC has updated its guidance and the university has changed its policy to require that fully vaccinated individuals resume mask-wearing indoors.
- Testing of unvaccinated individuals is important to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
- Faculty, staff, trainees, and students who are unvaccinated must follow additional health and safety guidelines, including masking and regular asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. The deadline to submit vaccination information or apply for an exemption is August 1.
July 23, 2021
- Reminder: The deadline for faculty, staff, and postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees to submit vaccination documentation or to request an exemption is August 1.
- New: Who will know your vaccination status, and why.
- More information: How to help safeguard unvaccinated children and other family members.
July 16, 2021
- Reminder: The deadline for faculty, staff, and postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees to submit or confirm vaccination documentation or request an exemption is August 1.
- Supporting mask-wearing: While on-campus guidelines for the fully vaccinated have changed, many people may still feel more comfortable wearing a mask, for many reasons.
- Testing requirement: If you come to campus and have an exemption or have not submitted your vaccination information or are not yet confirmed as fully vaccinated, you must schedule your required tests through the Yale COVID-19 Screening Program.
July 2, 2021
- What do we know about the Delta variant?
- What about the WHO, the CDC, and masks?
June 25, 2021
- How can I travel safely this summer?
- August is just around the corner—how can I get help today?
June 18, 2021
- Inviting short-term visitors back to campus.
- I’m planning to return to campus on August 1; remind me what it means to be fully vaccinated by then.
- I understand that I can request a vaccination exemption—how do I do that?
- May I find out or ask about another person’s vaccination status?
June 11, 2021
- Why should I submit or confirm my vaccination documentation?
- I believe the university already has my vaccination documentation—why should I confirm?
- This is confusing. Please explain how I can confirm or submit my vaccination information.
June 4, 2021
- Where and when to wear your mask
- The importance of submitting vaccination status
- Farewell and thanks to Lanman
May 28, 2021
- What to expect when coming to campus in June
- What to do to prepare for coming to campus
- Where to find more information and assistance
May 21, 2021
- Navigating mask guidance
- Submitting vaccination records
May 13, 2021
- Update on vaccine eligibility for those ages 12-15
- Reminder about Yale guidelines for health and safety
- Travel best practices for those leaving campus
May 7, 2021
- Good news: Not much news.
- Is there anything new with the COVID-19 vaccines?
April 29, 2021
- Campus alert level changes from orange to yellow.
- Which policies have changed?
- Which policies and guidelines remain unchanged?
- What’s up with the new CDC guidance?
- Still not sure whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
April 23, 2021
- Update on vaccine supplies
- Health and safety guidelines for commencement
- Looking forward to summer programs
- How to prepare for the fall term
April 16, 2021
- What the pause in administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine means
- Guidelines for gatherings and having visitors on campus remain unchanged
- How to determine if you need symptomatic testing during allergy season
April 9, 2021
- NEW: CDC and Yale travel guidelines
- Confirming vaccination status
- How to make a vaccination appointment
March 31, 2021
- NEW: Connecticut residents age 16 and older become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1
- How to schedule a vaccine appointment
- Ways to plan ahead for scheduling
March 26, 2021
- New date for Connecticut residents over 16 to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
- How to schedule a vaccine appointment
- Spend time outside to relieve stress
March 19, 2021
- Connecticut accelerates the schedule for vaccine eligibility
- New: Individuals 45-54 years old eligible on March 19
- New: Individuals 16 and older expected to be eligible April 5
- Clarification: Yale workplace gathering guidelines remain unchanged
- New: Connecticut COVID-19-related restrictions have relaxed, but Yale policies are unchanged
March 16, 2021
Connecticut will continue to expand vaccination eligibility on the bases of age
- How to schedule your appointment
March 12, 2021
- New CDC guidance for the fully vaccinated
- Allowing for small indoor gatherings without masks or physical distancing in certain circumstances
- Continuing to wear masks and practice distancing in public and with those at high risk
- Continuing to follow Yale COVID-19-related policies, which remain unchanged
- Options for scheduling a vaccine
- Celebrating 250,000 COVID screening tests
March 5, 2021
- A guide to available information on:
- Finding a vaccination appointment
- Vaccine efficacy
- Vaccine eligibility
- Health and wellness resources
February 26, 2021
- Even as infection rates steady or decline, be aware that they remain high and continue your adherence to preventive measures.
- Undergraduates will complete their final quarantine phase on Sunday and, on Monday, will be allowed to leave campus.
- The state issued a new vaccine eligibility timeline.
- While most health guidelines remain in place for the fully vaccinated, Yale has updated its guidance, in accordance with the CDC, for quarantine following close contact.
February 23, 2021
Change in States posted phases of vaccination eligibility
- How do I get an appointment when I become eligible?
February 19, 2021
- Even with good news about COVID-19 trends, preventative measures remain critical
- Check your masks for fit and function
- Accepting the invitation for vaccination
February 12, 2021
- What’s up with masks?
- Why should you get vaccinated?
- A visit with the teams behind the scenes
February 5, 2021
- A word about testing
- Contact Tracing:
- Who is called
- What to expect during the call
- How your privacy is protected
- How else to participate
- Where to find more information
- Vaccine update
January 29, 2021
Reminders of important ways to keep our community as safe as possible, especially as our population increases with the return of students to our campus.
- The state of the virus and its variants
- Mask considerations
- Quarantine and travel requirements
- Testing information: expanded hours and new location
- Contact tracing: the importance of participating fully
- Reminder to complete the Daily Health Check
- New training for all faculty and staff on campus this semester
- The importance of observing all health guidelines
- Latest updates on COVID-19 vaccines; Connecticut still in a limited rollout of Phase 1b
January 22, 2021
Answering questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine:
- How Yale determines who gets the vaccine
- Safety
- Side effects
- How to get an appointment
- Where to find more information
January 15, 2021
- COVID-19 vaccination update
- Why masks and other health and safety guidelines remain critical
- The potential impact of the new COVID-19 variant(s)
- The COVID Alert CT app’s support for contact tracing efforts
- Upcoming communication for faculty and staff from Provost Scott Strobel and Senior Vice President for Operations Jack Callahan
January 8, 2021
- Quarantine following close-contact exposure to COVID-19 changes from 14 days to 10 days with testing; travel quarantine and testing requirements stay the same.
- Yale Health has begun COVID-19 vaccination clinics for eligible individuals under Connecticut Phase 1a guidelines.
December 11, 2020
- The Campus COVID Resource Line (CCRL)
- Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing
- The COVID resulting and contact tracing teams
- Find Your Flu Shot tool
- Yale Health Acute Care
- Mental and Behavioral Health Services
- Being Well at Yale
- The COVID-19 website
December 4, 2020
- Travel Guidelines
- Information about what we know-and aware of what we don’t know about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination
November 20, 2020
So, in this message, I must, of course, remind all of us of existing health and safety measures and make us aware of new public health guidance. Before I do, however, I want to highlight some bright spots.
- The State of the State and Beyond
- Reminders and New Precautions
November 13, 2020
In this message, I hope to provide you with an update on our current environment on campus and beyond, to reinforce existing health and safety measures, and to describe additional precautions the university is taking to keep us as safe as possible.
- Update on the Recent Outbreak and the State of the State and Beyond
November 6, 2020
October 30, 2020
In this message I want to share some reminders and suggestions for how we can most safely engage in the coming “season of events.” But first, I would like to update you on the status of our COVID-19 cluster and recent COVID-19-related developments in the state of Connecticut and our New Haven community.
- The Status of the Outbreak and the State of the State
- What can you do?
- Vote safely
- Take Advantage of Our Testing Program
October 23, 2020
In today’s message, I am providing information about two actions that will promote the health of the community and also directly benefit you and your loved ones as we move into the colder months and contemplate holiday travel opportunities.
- Test Before You Travel
- Fight the Flu
- Get Your Flu Shot Today
October 9, 2020
- Yale-sponsored gatherings
- Informal gatherings
- A note about free expression and peaceable assembly
September 30, 2020
- What does it mean to be Green?
- Did you check in today?
- Complete your Daily Health Check
September 25, 2020
- Travel Outside of Connecticut
- Travel into Connecticut
- Testing Out of Quarantine
September 11, 2020
- Advantages of COVID-19 testing
- Required COVID-19 testing for students
- Required and voluntary COVID-19 testing for faculty and staff
- Symptomatic COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff
September 4, 2020
- What happens if I test positive for COVID-19
- What happens if I’m notified that I am a close contact?
- Guidance for what to do during quarantine
August 20, 2020
- New expanded weekly email
- YaleNews posted a story detailing many aspects of our preparations for the fall
- COVID-19 Viral Testing
- Further Evidenced-based Practices
August 14, 2020
Today I will focus on the importance of following protocols for person-to-person transactions.
- Person-to-Person Transactions
August 7, 2020
Today I will focus on important information regarding travel into Connecticut.
- Connecticut’s Requirements for Travelers (including residents)
July 31, 2020
Today I will focus on helping you to understand the requirements and process for performing a daily health check for symptoms prior to coming to campus.
- Understanding Yale’s Daily Health Check Requirement
July 24, 2020
Today I will focus on why it is critical to wear a cloth face covering or mask in public or shared spaces.
- Wear a Cloth Face Covering or Mask in Public or Shared Spaces
- How to Wear a Face Covering Correctly
July 16, 2020
Today I will focus on social distancing guidelines.
- Practice Social Distancing in Your Work Space and in Public Settings
July 9, 2020
Today I will focus on how you can address questions and report concerns related to the implementation of COVID-19 guidance and policies.
- Options for Addressing Questions and Concerns
July 2, 2020
Today I will focus on the need for all of us to adopt good hand hygiene practices.
- Good Hand Hygiene
June 24, 2020
Today I will focus on the need for all of us to monitor our own health.
- Daily Health Checks