On Monday, October 12, MIAD conducted its first round of on-campus COVID-19 testing. MIAD conducted a second round of testing this week. We’ve received the results and a summary has been posted to www.miad.edu/coronavirus.
We’d like to take a moment to explain what the numbers mean, and what we all can do to help keep the virus under control on campus.
The short version:
- There are currently 4 active confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus. We will maintain an updated list of active cases on the following link: www.miad.edu/coronavirus
- Appropriate quarantine, isolation and contact tracing procedures are underway, in compliance with the CDC and the Milwaukee Health Department. Isolation occurs when an individual tests positive; quarantining occurs for individuals who may have had direct exposure to the virus.
- Students with questions or concerns about COVID-19, testing and other counseling and support resources available can contact covidstudentsupport@miad.edu.
- Students who live in MIAD-affiliated housing and need to quarantine or isolate can order food to be delivered from MIAD food service. MIAD also will work with students to deliver any essential items to students in MIAD-affiliated housing during the students’ isolation or quarantine period. MIAD staff will contact isolated students daily for a wellness check.
- There is currently no indication that MIAD will further restrict access to the building. MIAD encourages students to make use of the labs and studio workspaces in the building, and to participate in small group critiques and other learning opportunities. Students have received information via email on how to schedule an appointment to use the labs and to participate in small-group campus opportunities.
- It is imperative that all members of the MIAD community continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently without exception.
More details about what this means are below.
Whenever there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 reported in the MIAD community, the following things will happen:
- The person with the COVID-19 positive test is informed immediately and is requested to go into isolation for a period of time determined by the local health department or medical personnel, typically 10-14 days from the onset of the symptoms or the date of their COVID test if they are not showing symptoms.
- Students in MIAD-affiliated housing who test positive will be given an isolation room in a nearby off-site apartment. Students may return to their apartment once to retrieve key personal belongings, as long as they wear appropriate PPE. It is expected that it will not exceed more than five (5) minutes of time so the student can quickly gather what is needed and roommates can be absent from the room. We recommend that students prepare a “covid travel bag” of essential items to expedite the process if needed.
- Students who live in MIAD-affiliated housing and need to quarantine or isolate can order food to be delivered from MIAD food service. MIAD also will work with students to deliver any essential items to students in MIAD-affiliated housing during the students’ isolation or quarantine period.
- MIAD staff will contact isolated students daily for a wellness check.
- MIAD will conduct contact tracing to help determine who likely has a direct exposure to COVID-19 as defined by the CDC and/or the Milwaukee Health Department.
- People with direct exposure to the virus will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of the exposure – even if they test negative during those 14 days. (Please note that the incubation period for COVID-19, has a median time of 4-5 days from exposure to symptoms onset. One study reported that 97.5% of persons with COVID-19 who develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days of SARS-CoV-2 infection.)
- MIAD will report the case to the Milwaukee Health Department, which will provide additional guidance on an appropriate response.
- MIAD isolation spaces will be professionally cleaned after a student leaves the space. Cleaning quarantined spaces is the responsibility of the student tenants living in the unit.
- MIAD will update the number of cases on campus on its coronavirus information page at www.miad.edu/coronavirus each Tuesday at the end of the day.
MIAD remains fully committed to maximizing student access to the MIAD building and its facilities, and to offer opportunities of in-person interactions between students, faculty and staff. As always, protecting the health and safety of the MIAD community remains our most important task. This is a community effort that requires all of us to work together in partnership to help ensure continued access to the building while keeping the virus at bay.
Here’s how students can help keep the campus open and safe:
- Wear a mask whenever you are in the building.
- If you feel sick, don’t come into the building – Even if you think you don’t have COVID-19.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, notify the college immediately at covidstudentsupport@miad.edu.
- If you have a known exposure to a person with positive COVID-19 diagnosis, quarantine for 14 days from the date of known exposure.
- Please notify the college immediately at covidstudentsupport@miad.edu. We can get you in touch with the proper resources, and help you appropriately communicate with your instructors about your need to quarantine.
- It’s suggested you get tested. MIAD offers a shuttle service to free testing sites, as well as testing on campus once a week. Getting a test will help keep track of the spread of the virus, and make it easier to contain.
- Even if you test negative, you should still quarantine for 14 days. The virus can incubate for up to two weeks, so even if you test negative you can become positive a few days later.
It is important for us to treat each other with kindness and compassion, including anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. This is an illness that does not discriminate, and we are all vulnerable to it. The best way to show kindness and support each other is by using the best safety precautions to stop the virus from spreading to others. Stigmatizing individuals affected by COVID-19 can create fear or anger toward ordinary people, and can negatively affect our community. Stigma can also make people more likely to hide symptoms or illness, keep them from seeking health care immediately, and prevent individuals from adopting healthy behaviors. Stigma can make it more difficult to control the spread of an outbreak.
Groups who experience stigma may also experience discrimination. This discrimination can take the form of:
- Other people avoiding or rejecting them;
- Getting denied healthcare, education, housing, or employment;
- Verbal abuse; or
- Physical violence.
Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others.
MIAD continues to work directly with the Milwaukee Health Department and will follow their guidance and expertise.