California University Update On Coronavirus

Photo: The Olive Press

Los Angeles, the city where I live, has issued a declaration of emergency for the Coronavirus (Covid-19).  The declaration allows a joint task force to implement preventative procedures for a potential spread of the virus throughout one of the nation's largest city.  Further, the declaration will allow the retrieval of resources from the State to tackle all aspects of the virus.  The news is reassuring given the recent rapid spread of news around the globe about the potentially deadly virus.


Given the news from the city of Los Angeles, it is appropriate that large businesses should issue reports within their respective environments.  Yesterday morning upon opening my email 'inbox' I noticed that an update on the 'coronavirus' was waiting for me from the department chair:

Hi All,

There has been much talk around the university, by faculty, staff and students, about the impact of the current Covid-19 virus outbreak on the campus.  It has become especially important to clarify a few points now that the City of LA has declared a State of Emergency.

(1)  The city State of Emergency means nothing more than they can now access more funds and can open additional planning and communications channels.  It does not mean that we are in imminent danger or that the risk of contracting the disease has suddenly increased.

(2)  As always, CSUN encourages all to practice healthy habits on campus, including frequent hand washing and staying home if you feel sick, especially with flu-like symptoms.  If you or your students develop symptoms while on campus, please go to the Health Center (818-677-3666).  They are fully prepared to handle such cases.  Other information can be found at:

https://www.csun.edu/shc/news/novel-coronaviruscovid-19-what-you-need-know

(3)  CSUN is actively planning for short, medium or long term effects on campus which may include partial or full closure of classes.  We are not at that point and do not expect to be at that point in the near future.

(4)  Faculty, staff and students are already expressing nervousness about coming to campus.  The university is asking us to be flexible and understanding.  But they are not asking us to make any special accommodations to faculty, staff or students who are fearful to come to campus at this time.

(5)  Please reassure students wherever you can and provide hard facts where possible.  It is important to note that the risk of fatality associated with Covid-19 is not much higher than the flu for young and healthy people.

(6)  The latest information from the campus on the outbreak and our response is on the CSUN homepage (www.csun.edu).  CSUN Housing may have separate announcements and plans and they can be contacted at housing@csun.edu.

As ever, I will communicate whatever information I have about this fast-changing situation and of course, please get back to me if you have questions or concerns.

I am happy to see that our university is issuing information quickly on the virus.  The news agencies are running wild with various reports from around the world.  Which can make accurate assessments difficult to find among the noise.  Here is a short video (less than a minute in length) produced by The New York Times of what the effect of the coronavirus looks like from space:

Time will tell the total impact of this virus spreading across the globe.  Stay tuned!