Coahoma Community College Lays Out COVID-19 Safety Measures for Campus Community

Coahoma Community College has outlined specific precautionary measures to be taken as the coronavirus spread continues throughout the U.S. To promote and maintain a coronavirus-free campus environment, guidelines have been set for the campus community. They are aligned with those set by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi's reopening model, the Mississippi Department of Public Health, and orders and ordinances of Coahoma County. The guidelines are consistent with recommendations from the federal government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus causing the COVID-19 respiratory illness has been identified as SARS-CoV-2. It is spread when more than a few people congregate. Symptoms include fever, muscle or body aches, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or a runny nose, headache, fatigue, and a new loss of taste or smell. Emergency warning signs calling for medical attention include shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, bluish lips or face, and the inability to wake or stay awake.

“We have been watching prudently and planning ardently for the return to campus, as well as learning from the successes and planned measures of others,” said  Student Engagement Director Karen Done. “As much as we want to welcome students back to campus, we want even more so to complete the fall term together, which is why we’ve adjusted the move-in schedule.”

“Above all else, we must continue to lead with our mission, always acting in the best interest of our students across all aspects of their beings. Their health, safety, and determination to continue to move forward with their lives and education is our top priority.”

Students looking to reside on campus for the fall term must present a negative COVID-19 testing at move-in; the student must be tested August 1-14. Health centers providing free testing in Mississippi can be found at: https://www.msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,21912,420,874.html#providers. Students may also call 601-981-1817 to learn of a nearby community health center offering free testing.

Dormitories will open on August 14. The first day of classes has been moved to August 17.

“We are committed to fulfilling our mission to educate students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world. Part of that commitment is to do all we can to keep all members of our campus community safe and healthy,” Done added.

Here are some helpful information and safety practices to protect the health of oneself as well as others:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after coming from a public setting, and after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face.

• If soap and water are not accessible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Make sure the sanitizer covers all surfaces of your hands; rub your hands together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• The mask or face covering is not an alternative to social distancing. Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet (about the length of two arms) apart from others. Wear a mask in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

• Ensure your mask or face covering is fitted over your nose and under your chin. The nose wire of the mask should be snug against your nose.

• When alone without a mask or face covering on, make sure to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow for coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues.

• Store your face mask/covering in a paper bag.

• Coahoma’s procedural manual recommends that cloth face coverings are washed with regular clothing detergent.

• Disposable masks should not be used for more than one day.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating and immediately after removing your mask to minimize the chance of transmitting the virus.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (light switches, touch screens, door knobs, etc.).

• Members of the campus community are required to wear cloth or disposable masks. Free masks are made available to students and employees. Students are asked to present their Student ID to receive theirs at a Coahoma Community College distribution site: Academic Affairs-J.W. Addison Building, Career-Tech, Health Sciences, Ned W. Gathwright Workforce Development Center, Campus Nurse-Frank Gambrell Student Affairs Complex, Division of Student Engagement-Zee A. Barron Student Union.

• While fevers are a typical COVID-19 symptom, a reading from 95.9 to 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit indicates a normal body temperature; 99.3-100.4 F indicates a slight fever; 100.5-109.2 F indicates a high fever.

• A limit of two people are allowed to ride an elevator. Use the stairs whenever possible. When using an elevator, be sure to wear a face covering. If possible, refrain from touching elevator buttons with your exposed fingers/hand. Remember to wash your hands or use a sanitizer upon exiting the elevator.

If you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html for steps on what to do.

Visit http://www.coahomacc.edu/coronavirus/ for more information.