Today, the Friday before Labor Day weekend, President Seidel sent an email to the UW community, titled “A Crucial Weekend for our University,” speaking on the importance of being safe this weekend. He said to not go anywhere in large groups or attend large gatherings, remain with the people in your “pod” which consists of those who you live with, wear masks and keep your distance if you ever do have to leave your home for things such as church or work, and do not go to visit your family.
Seidel said he took part in a meeting this morning with presidents and administrators from universities across the nation and with the White House national coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Vice President Mike Pence. Seidel said he took the key message of this meeting to be that students should not go home over Labor Day weekend.
Seidel reminded the community in this email that Monday is now an instructional day and not a holiday for UW and that even though the community is currently in a pause the students should not visit home.
“We have had infections on campus — enough that we have gone into a five-day pause — and we are still assessing the extent of the outbreak. You could be infected, and if you were to go home, even though you may be feeling fine, you could risk exposing your more vulnerable family members to COVID-19,” said Seidel in his email.
Seidel said the president of Notre Dame reported in the meeting this morning that their university successfully “emerged” from an outbreak that caused a pause there, as it has at UW, and they now have only a few cases of COVID-19. The president said this is due to the students and employees of Notre Dame changing their behaviors.
“For us to have a chance to come out of our pause next week, we simply cannot do things this weekend that would increase the potential for a further outbreak among our students, employees and the Laramie community,” said Seidel in his email. “We must be smart and follow the restrictions and guidelines that are part of our pause plan.”
Seidel said this weekend would be a great time for the community to enjoy the last few times of nice weather in Wyoming and enjoy the outdoors but make sure to only do so with two or three members of your pod. He said to avoid stopping anywhere along your travels to the “natural wonders” this weekend if possible and to always wear a mask and social distance if other individuals are around.
“By all means, don’t organize or go to parties or get-togethers where COVID guidelines — such as distancing and wearing of face protection — aren’t being observed,” said Seidel in his email. “Our analysis shows that the current outbreak has been driven in part by a small number of parties where unsuspecting infected people were present.”
Seidel said at the end of his email that he understands the frustration but that Cowboys are full of resilience and courage that will carry the community through this weekend and beyond.
