Dear Pitt Public Health Community,
We will continue to update you on how Pitt Public Health is implementing changes related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting with this message, the same messages will go to all members of our community (faculty, staff, postdocs, students) so that everyone has all of the relevant information.
As you make what may be drastic changes to your work and lifestyle, we hope you will remember that these social distancing measures are in place because we are trying to limit the spread of the virus and flatten the curve of the epidemic so that the number of cases does not exceed the healthcare capacity. It’s easy to get frustrated, but this is public health in action and the goal is to save lives. This situation is truly unprecedented and we are all doing our best to do what is best given the available information. Again, we thank you for your patience and collaboration during this difficult time. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask them, and we will get answers as quickly as possible.
Work and Children
The closure of K-12 schools and many childcare providers presents new challenges for all of us. The necessary solution for those of us who do not have childcare during this time is to work from home to the best of their ability while providing all necessary care for children. Sick time may of course also be used. It is not safe to have children spending the workday in an office/research environment so bringing children to the building is not an acceptable solution. Again, please make the safety of your children the top priority and we will all make the necessary adaptations so that you can stay home with them. The Pitt Public Health COVID-19 web page continues to update school-specific resources for teaching and working remotely.
Travel
All nonessential domestic and international University travel is restricted until further notice. A number of people have raised questions about how to respond when someone has recently traveled back to campus from an area of the U.S. where COVID-19 is at high levels. We are not restricting personal travel or forbidding people from working unless there is government guidance recommending this. Please read the University guidance and exercise judgment in these situations. Some people who have traveled may wish to self-isolate and this should be accommodated.
The University will not sponsor or reimburse for student recruiting visits at this time. Prospective students who have already paid for travel expecting reimbursement can be reimbursed if they cancel. Because the campus is open, there is no restriction on students who choose to personally pay for visits.
Student Employment
We are aware that there are still unanswered questions about student employment. We are seeking more information and will pass it on as soon as possible.
Notes for Instructors
We want to encourage you to think carefully about issues of synchronicity and to be flexible as you transition your courses online. It is likely that many of our faculty and graduate students will have a hard time adhering to the same course schedule and class times as earlier in the term. Please think creatively about how you can best communicate the main content of your course and about what alternatives you can provide for students who are unable to “attend” class at a designated time.
Please communicate with the students in your classes as soon as possible and frequently. Even if all the details aren't in place yet, let students know when they can expect more specific information. This can ease student anxiety and save faculty from receiving individual questions. Once you have worked out some of the specifics, let students know your expectations regarding your class structure and their participation.
In addition to the Help Desk assistance that Pitt Public Health IT and Educational Program specialists will be providing next week from 9:00-4:00 in room 1153/1154, the Teaching Center is offering a series of remote office hours and almost-hourly workshops starting Sunday, March 15. The University Teaching Center’s web pages and the Pitt Public Health COVID-19 web page contain additional information on teaching and educational strategies and software that can be used during this time.
Stress & Anxiety
Many of us are worried about COVID-19 and are uncertain about what will happen. It’s important for us all to remember to take care of each other – our physical and mental health. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Resources including those available from the CDC and other organizations present some things we can do to support yourself and others in this situation. Talk to your friends and family about your feelings, or if you are struggling, please reach out to a professional for support. Visit the University COVID-19 Response page for additional information.
COVID-19 diagnosis & treatment
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please stay at home and contact your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19. If you do not have a primary care provider and are not sure if you need to be tested, please contact the Health Department at 412-687-ACHD (412-687-2243). If you need to seek immediate medical care, please call 9-1-1 for assistance, or phone ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department to allow staff at these locations to prepare for your arrival. The Allegheny County Health Department and CDC websites include additional information about how to prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
Reported Cases and Privacy
As you may have heard, positive cases of COVID-19 have now been found in Allegheny County, and we and fully expect more cases in the area to be confirmed. To protect the privacy of impacted individuals, these announcements include few, if any, details about those who have tested positive. If you are informed about or aware of any active cases within your unit or department, please contact the Dean’s Office (Eleanor Feingold, Renae Brinza, Jessie Burke) to discuss appropriate next steps. Please do not send messages identifying potentially impacted personnel. The Office of Human Resources has provided detailed guidance for supervisors on the appropriate management of rumors and confidential health information, which I encourage you to revisit and reinforce within your unit/department(s).
Eleanor Feingold, Executive Associate Dean
feingold@pitt.edu
Jessie Burke, Associate Dean for Education
jgburke@pitt.edu
Renae Brinza, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance
brinza@pitt.edu
3/16/2020