Friday wrap up
Tonight begins Rosh Hashanah. Wishing L’Shanah Tovah to all who are celebrating. May you have a sweet New Year!
Hope you have seen the video from Dr. Chris Ohl, who is an infectious disease specialist at our School of Medicine. He contextualizes our case count (and more). Your students got that video in their copy of Your Corona Chronicles lastnight; read it here. I want to stress the use of our Wellbeing Coaches (as mentioned in Your Corona Chronicles, as well as our excellent University Counseling Center if your students are feeling anxious, or stressed, or alone, etc. Those feelings are normal in a non-pandemic year, but COVID can exacerbate them. Talking about those feelings with an objective and supportive third party really can make a difference. Help your Deacs remember that self care is smart 🙂
For those who have asked about flu clinics for students: we are working on details for student flu shots. As soon as I have all the final info on dates, etc., I will be sure to put it here in the Daily Deac, as well as in Family News. As a reminder, flu vaccines are required this year.
Late yesterday, the Restricted Family Visitation Policy was released. Only students, faculty, and staff have access to campus; you must have a WFU ID card to swipe on to campus at the gates. Due to the desire to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID, the University strongly encourages all students and their families to limit family visitations that may occur off-campus this semester. If a visit happens, we ask folks to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.
Please know that our goal is to try and limit introduction of COVID to campus, and this restricted access is not the normal Wake Forest hospitality we want to offer to parents and families. Normally, we would be as welcoming as we possibly could be. But the realities of the pandemic (and our desire to keep campus healthy so we can all stay until Thanksgiving) are what have informed this decision. If a visit is of significant importance to students and members of their families, students could meet you off campus, or at the entrance to campus before the gatehouses. I know that is a clunky solution, and I am sorry about that. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
While many of our students are on campus, there are others who are learning at home or in programs around the world, such as Wake Washington. Today we have the first entry in Wake Washington’s blog, and you can read more about what the Wake Washington experience is like. Here’s a taste from Haleigh Cadd (’21):
I have probably learned more about the world of careers in four days than I have in any span of three months at Wake Forest. My horizons are being broadened–in specific regard to job hunting and life after Wake.
This seems to be the biggest difference between Wake Washington and any other abroad program. When I studied abroad in London, a different way of thinking was carved into my mind and I reaped the intellectual benefits of being immersed in another culture.
At Wake Washington, however, the knowledge available to me is more specific, rarely given out if it isn’t sought out, and invaluable. I appreciate this more since I am a senior and will need to submit job applications within the next few months.
The sun is out, and the weather forecast suggests a stellar weekend: high of 63 tomorrow and 67 on Sunday. Call your Deacs tonight and have time to connect. As always, ask if they are wearing their masks, staying 6′ apart, avoiding large gatherings, and washing their hands a lot. Encourage them to spend time outdoors rather than indoors. Tell them you love them, that you know they’ve got this, and that you are proud of them. My own mom is 88 and I still never get tired of hearing those things from her. I bet your Deacs love to hear them too.