Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updates and Information
President's Message
November 15, 2020
Greetings Everyone,
I hope this note finds you and yours well and doing okay with the many challenges that continue to confront us all. This past Friday, Governor Little announced the state's Stay Healthy Order, which is a return to a modified version of Idaho Rebounds Stage 2. The purpose of this message is to discuss our operational status as we remain open to provide services and instruction for our students.
After the Governor's Friday press conference, I attended the weekly executive level COVID-19 briefing led by Panhandle Health that includes leaders from several North Idaho school districts, Kootenai Health’s Incident Command and regional first responders. This weekly forum provides an opportunity for educational leaders to discuss our region’s current state of affairs regarding the pandemic. I was again assured that NIC's current operational status is appropriate and supported by our local health experts. As a college community, you were all commended for working so responsibly and serving as role models for others.
Our protocols – the now well-known safety measures of masking up, distancing, hand washing, sanitizing, and staying home when ill – continue to serve as our best defense against the spread of the virus. They are real solutions. They're simple and they work. As long as we continue as a college community to follow them consistently, without exception, we should be able to continue providing students access to programs and services.
While we are seeing an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in our student body, contact tracing information reveals that the majority of the positive cases in both students and employees continue to be a result of exposure outside of NIC.
Although the Governor's Stay Healthy Order largely exempts educational institutions, the rising COVID-19 numbers in our region should motivate us all to double down on everything we already know about what it's going to take for us to stay healthy and open, and to bring the fall semester to a successful conclusion for our students.
- Continue consistently modeling safe behavior at work, at home and in the community.
- Avoid face to face meetings or gatherings (at work and in any community engagements you have). Whenever possible, get together virtually.
- Avoid crowds and public places where safety protocols are not consistently followed.
I understand and appreciate the stress and anxiety many of you are experiencing. Please remember, we are managing this, and we're managing it together. As we head into the spirit of the holidays and the final full week before Thanksgiving, I again thank you for all you are doing and your commitment to North Idaho College and the students we serve.
Please stay well and continue to look out for one another.
Rick MacLennan, President
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. Previous coronavirus outbreaks have included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Check with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the current risk to the American public of becoming infected with this novel coronavirus. Because this is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, the CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, including any changes in the risk assessment.
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How does it spread?
Although we have a lot to learn about this virus, it is currently believed that it spreads like other respiratory viruses- by people with the infection coughing and sneezing. These droplets are inhaled by other people or moved to the eyes, nose or mouth by contaminated hands.
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What are the symptoms of this infection?
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include the following:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or have chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
*For the most up-to-date information check the CDC’s website for symptoms as they will continue to update the list as more is learned about the virus.
If you have returned in the past 14 days from travel to a country with a COVID-19 outbreak or have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 AND are experiencing fever and respiratory symptoms (such as fever with coughing or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath), the CDC advises you to seek medical advice and call ahead to your health-care provider or nurse advice line.
Additionally, if you have NOT returned in the past 14 days from travel to a country with a COVID-19 outbreak OR have NOT been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19, but do have fever and respiratory symptoms seek medical advice and call ahead to your health-care provider or nurse advice line. Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care, emergency room or other health facility without calling first. Your provider will need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic. Telemedicine may also be available, enabling you to consult a provider from home.
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I feel anxious about coronavirus. What can I do?
We understand that some community members are concerned. If you would like to talk with someone, support is available to students through campus mental health services.
You can help prevent the spread of colds and other viral ailments by doing the following:
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and immediately dispose of the tissue.
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
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Where can I get more information about the novel coronavirus?
For current information about this evolving public health situation, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus page.