As people gather again in Gambier from across the nation and around the world, it is important to remember that COVID-19 is still with us. New cases are coming down in many parts of the U.S., and Knox County remains at the Low COVID-19 Community Level, but we also know that a new Omicron variant (XBB.1.5) is spreading rapidly and could lead to a new surge in cases.
We should all continue to take appropriate precautions, isolate if we become symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19, follow recommendations for what to do if we are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and wear a mask or respirator if we are at a high risk of getting very sick. Students who test positive should contact health@kenyon.edu. Rapid tests remain available for students at the Mail Center on the lower level of Gund Commons (one kit per student per week), masks are available in Peirce Hall, and KN95 respirators are available at Campus Safety. And of course, the most important step that all of us can take is to remain up to date with our vaccines, including the latest bivalent booster. We will continue to update case numbers weekly on the COVID-19 Dashboard.
All of us in the Kenyon community have learned how to live with this virus, and we have the information and resources we need to make responsible decisions and take care of ourselves and one another.
Sincerely,
Drew Kerkhoff
Chair, COVID-19 Steering Committee
Professor of Biology and Associate Provost