BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief
Along with the implementation of #CampusClear, an app that allows students to track symptoms, Geri Tyrell, Director of the Nursing Department, is currently working with others on staffing the Thresher Health Center in order to provide a contact base for students who are restricted from campus because of logged symptoms.
“Right now until we have the Thresher Health Center staffed, you can contact me, for an athlete you can contact your athletic trainer, or if you are a local student and have a local health care provider you can contact them directly,” Tyrell said.
At this point, Bethel is not requiring extra tests for symptoms.
“If an individual is displaying symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, we will work with a local healthcare provider to have the student assessed and the provider will determine if there is a need for an additional COVID-19 test at that time,” said Tyrell.
For students and community members, there is a notable difference between “isolation” and “quarantine.”
“Isolation is only for someone who tests positive. Those individuals are considered contagious for 2 day prior to showing symptoms up to 10 days after symptoms start, so a total of 12 days. If the individual is asymptomatic, the date of the positive test is used as the official start of symptoms. Therefore isolation is a total of 10 days. …they have to be fever free and symptom free for 3 days. If a student tested positive we will move the student to a seperate space on campus. During this time, the individual is not allowed to leave the confines of the designated space,” Tyrell said.
The school plans to attend to the basic needs of students in isolation in order to make sure that they remain healthy and that their condition does not become worse.
“During this time, all of your meals will be delivered to you each day. We have had an overwhelming outpouring of love and support from the community, so Student Life has been delivering snack and drink bags as well. Each day, the nursing faculty will come and do an assessment of the individuals in the isolation space to ensure that symptoms are not worsening,” Tyrell said.
Quarantine is based on whether or not students have been exposed in a certain way to someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
“Quarantine is used for someone who has not tested positive but is considered a close contact of someone who has tested positive. A close contact is someone who was closer than six feet for longer than 10 minutes with or without a mask on. Because the virus takes time to replicate in the host, symptoms of COVID-19 can begin anywhere from two to 14 days. That is why the quarantine period is 14 days. That way we can monitor for symptoms and ensure that the individual does not become positive and possibly infect other people. The date used to calculate this is based upon the last date of exposure or date of contact with the person who is positive,” said Tyrell.
Bethel College is providing designated spaces on-campus for students to quarantine.
“They are allowed to leave the quarantine space to go on a walk outside but must wear a mask at all times outside of the space and maintain six feet of distance from other people. They are not allowed to enter any public spaces, buildings, stores, leave campus, go to the CAF, go to practice or attend in person class. Currently, Student Life is delivering all of the meals to individuals in quarantine. There is also travel related quarantine that is mandated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” said Tyrell.
While in quarantine or isolation, it can be difficult for students to feel supported by their community and their peers.
“Students who test positive and must be moved into isolation are just as shocked and scared as everyone else. Recognize that these individuals are your peers, your friends and they need your emotional support. Physical distancing does not mean ‘social distancing.’ You can still call, Facetime, SnapChat or whatever to stay connected with them during those ten days. Let them know that you care about them,” Tyrell said.
Additionally, students in isolation will need support when it comes to academia, as classes will likely be progressing.
“Have an individual in your class take really good notes! They can participate virtually in class, but we know that is not always the same as being present. Maybe offer to ‘meet them online’ to cover something that was discussed in class or to help with an assignment, be a virtual study buddy during this time…When a student has completed their isolation period…they can return to their normal activities,” Tyrell said.
There is also a resource for contacting and making sure professors are informed.
“Once the Emergency Response Team has received the official notification of isolation or quarantine, we will communicate with the Center for Academic Development to notify the student's professors of their absence from in-person class. If a known or approximate return to class date is available at that time, it is included in that initial email. Professors are not provided with information as to whether the student is positive or a close contact,” Tyrell said.
Students should consider having supplies readily available if they should have to go into isolation on short notice.
“Some institutions have recommended that students have an ‘isolation go bag’ prepped and ready at all times. This would include a set of sheets and pillowcase, blanket, pillow, clothing, hygiene products and medicine for 10 days. We are talking loungewear! You would also want to bring your textbooks and laptop, electronics chargers, and any academic necessities. You might want to include items to help keep you entertained, because boredom will be your worst enemy! It really comes down to what are the essentials that you need during that 10 day,” Tyrell said. Bethel College is prepped to ensure the safety and accessibility of their students should COVID-19 symptoms arise. If you have further questions about these procedures, feel free to reach out to Geri Tyrell at gtyrell@bethelks.edu.
