Augusta University president Dr. Brooks Keel held a town hall meeting Aug. 5 to highlight what students, faculty and staff should expect for the fall semester.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, and we’re not going to be out of the woods for a while,” he said. “Unless you have been in a cave for the last few weeks, you know full well the Delta variant has become very prominent. COVID-19 cases are increasing.”
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Keel announced the university will run a social media campaign to shut down the myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines, including that they were rushed through the FDA approval process and aren’t safe.
“I can understand how that concerns people,” he said. “But the process for which Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were derived, that research has been going on for decades,” Keel said. “The short answer is the bureaucracy was shortened. The COVID-19 vaccines got moved to the front of the list. This is an incredibly safe vaccine. All three of them are.”
A link to the information campaign addressing myths about the vaccine. Some of the more prevalent myths include that vaccines cause infertility–they don’t, according to a Johns Hopkins study; that insurance is required to get a vaccination–it isn’t, and vaccinations are provide free; the vaccine was rushed into production and hasn’t been through proper approval processes–it wasn’t; and several others. Further information is available on the Jagwire page here.
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Guidelines at both the Health Sciences and Summerville campuses adhere to policies set forth by the University System of Georgia.
“The guidelines right now and for the foreseeable future is that masks and face coverings are not required for campus, in buildings or otherwise,” Keel said. “They are not required regardless of vaccination status, but we are strongly encouraging everyone, including vaccinated individuals, to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus facilities.”
However, Keel said there are there are some differences between the two campuses.
“The health system has its own policies and procedures in how we deal with COVID-19. The criteria for wearing masks and social distancing is currently different, so please be aware of this,” he said.
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Teleworking arrangements and virtual, remote or online classes ended effective June 30, 2021.
“Vaccinations are not required, but they are strongly encouraged,” Keel said. “If it would make a difference, I would get down on my knees and beg. Please get vaccinated.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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