Keeping Spartans Safe

To slow the spread of COVID-19, Michigan State University is directing everyone to take personal responsibility to protect their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of MSU faculty, staff, students, visitors and loved ones. 

As part of that responsibility, all employees and students must fill out the health screening form before coming to campus (students living on campus must fill it out daily as well). Additionally, MSU is strongly recommending that all students living off campus in East Lansing or the surrounding communities also complete the health screening form every day, even if they will not be on campus that day. You will be directed as to whether it is safe for you to come on campus.  

  

  

Face coverings

Face coverings are a crucial public health measure and help protect others by reducing exposure to droplets if someone is unknowingly infected with COVID-19. Wearing a face covering, whether you feel ill or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, is critical to maintaining everyone’s health and safety.

Face coverings must be worn by everyone (including all faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors and visitors) indoors while you are on property owned or governed by MSU and while participating in MSU-related or MSU-sponsored activities. If you have a medical condition that may prevent you from safely wearing a face covering, or you would like a clear face covering, you should contact MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities to begin the accommodation process. Exceptions to the requirement for face coverings will be limited. Read the full directive, including information on compliance and enforcement, on coverings here.

Recent guidance from the CDC provides recommendations on selecting a mask, including double-masking.

Practice physical distancing

Keep at least six feet of separation between yourself and others when possible. You must avoid large gatherings and crowded events that exceed the State of Michigan’s gathering guidelines, abide by mandated event and business closures and minimize close contact with people from outside your household as well as those who may be sick or are exhibiting symptoms.

Practice good personal hygiene

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing and before eating. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, such as doorknobs, tables, light switches, phones, keyboards and faucets. Clean your personal spaces and workspaces regularly with soap followed by using an approved household disinfectant.

Self-monitoring

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about COVID-19.

Prevention

Until a vaccine is widely available, protect yourself and others by following everyday preventive actions including:

• Avoid close contact with people, especially those who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing, and before eating (If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol)
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects such as doorknobs
• Stay home if you are sick
• Wear a face covering in public

Positive test, isolation and quarantine

Any member of the MSU community exhibiting signs of COVID-19 must seek immediate medical attention.

If you are feeling ill or have tested positive for COVID-19, you should self-isolate and avoid close contact with all others. You also should contact MSU's COVID-19 hotline at 855-958-2678 and stay in touch with your health care provider. More information on what to do if you feel sick can be found on the CDC website.

If you think you have been exposed from a close contact, you should self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms. More information can be found on the State of Michigan's coronavirus website.

For more information on when you can be around others after either a positive test or potential exposure, check out this scenario chart from the Ingham County Health Department.

MSU COVID-19 Early Detection Program

The COVID-19 Early Detection Program is a key part of MSU's health and safety strategy. For the summer semester, undergraduate students living on campus or coming to campus at any point must sign up for mandatory testing via the Early Detection Program.  

Faculty and staff, as well as students living off-campus this spring semester, also are strongly encouraged to participate in this testing as well. 

Spartan Health Check

MSU has introduced Spartan Health Check, a new website that is a one-stop destination for faculty, staff and students to indicate vaccine status, keep track of Early Detection Program testing and results and fill out the daily health screening form. In addition to students living on or visiting campus for any reason, we continue to encourage all faculty, staff and students who are near East Lansing to be a part of the Early Detection Program. If you were registered for the program this fall, please remember that you have to re-register for the program for spring semester.