Handwashing – critical: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands after touching your face.

Coughing/Sneezing Hygiene Etiquette – critical: If you are in a private setting and not wearing a cloth face covering, please remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Alternatively, you can cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Throw any used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol.

Gloves: According to the CDC, gloves are not necessary for general use and do not replace good hand hygiene. Washing your hands often is considered the best practice for common everyday tasks. 

Cleaning/Disinfection – Team Effort: Physical Plant / Custodial staff will do their best to keep campus common areas, public spaces, and office areas clean based on CDC guidelines and protocols for disinfection. However, we all need to be vigilant to help keep our surroundings clean. Cleaning and disinfection requires the cooperation of everyone.   Of note, 

  • Hand sanitizer stations will be provided in high traffic areas and near building entrances.
  • Cleaning supplies will be available for students and faculty to wipe down classroom areas (e.g. desk and chair surfaces) on a self-serve basis between sessions once classes begin. 
  • Departments may request additional cleaning supplies if they wish to do additional self-serve cleaning during the work day, for example to wipe down commonly used surfaces.  You can request supplies here.
  • It may be noted that the latest CDC guidance indicates that the virus is not easily transmitted via surfaces.