Staying Safe Through the Holidays

Dec. 17, 2020

Dear SLU community,

Theavailability of the first COVID-19 vaccine gives us all great hope, but we are still very much in the throes of this pandemic. We cannot let our guard down, especially as we make plans for a holiday season like no other in our lifetimes.

As persons for and with others, our vigilant use of COVID-19-prevention practices can ensure we don’t unwittingly spreadthevirus to high-risk relatives and friends. We want to ensurethe y enjoythe holiday season with you — next year.

With that in mind, I want to share a resource with you that was developed by Georgia Tech University.This online toolallows you to seetherisk of COVID-19 exposure, county-by-county, based onthe size of an event. For example,the current data shows that at a 10-person gathering in the city of St. Louis,the re is a 22% chance that at least one person has COVID-19.

I share this in hopes it helps you plan for the holiday season accordingly, no matter what you celebrate. Be cautious, avoid travel, wear a mask, keep a safe , social distance, perform hand hygiene —the same safe guards that helped us get through the fall term.

You continue to make all of us proud of OneSLU. Thank you — truly.

Stay safeand healthy.

Terri Rebmann, Ph.D., RN, CIC, FAPIC
Special Assistant tothePresident
Director, Institute for Biosecurity
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
College for Public Health and Social Justice