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May 27, 2021 MetroSafe Update

Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | Announcements to Employees

As the pandemic evolves, we are beginning to see loosening of restrictions in public spaces. Metropolitan State is committed to maintain a safe environment even as we begin to adapt our operations to new modes and practices. We will continue to implement guidance and recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Higher Education, the CDC, Minnesota State, OSHA and ASHRAE for fall planning. Please support the use of physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and wearing face masks when you are on campus.

COVID-19 campus exposure update
For the week of May 19–May 25, Metropolitan State has reported 2 COVID-19 cases to the Minnesota State dashboard among individuals associated with our campus. Of these individuals, none were thought to be infectious while on campus. The data reported is shown below:

Students—Week of 5/19/2021 - 5/25/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 5/25/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—2 / 383

Negative—0 / 91

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 0

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—2 / 292

Contagious while on campus—0 / 21

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—2 / 271

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 290

Employees—Week of 5/19/2021 - 5/25/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 5/25/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—0 / 25

Negative—0 / 0

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 1

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—0 / 18

Contagious while on campus—0 / 2

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—0 / 22

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 16

Data may not be comprehensive or in real-time​ due to testing and reporting delays and are subject to change. Individuals, particularly those that have been at one of our locations, are also encouraged to report any COVID-19 health updates through our reporting form. As part of the Minnesota State system and in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health, Metropolitan State posts a link to the Minnesota State COVID-19 dashboard on the website.

Health Screening Tool/Campus Access
The campus health screening tool is no longer being used when you arrive on campus. Students and employees will have access to Saint Paul Campus buildings at exterior doors with card readers by using your ID card. The Fine Art Studio, ICES, and the Grow IT Center will be opened by request only during summer semester. Staff can contact security for access to the ICES building.

A two-week transition period will take place May 24 through June 4 at the entrance to Founder’s Hall auditorium door for students or employees who do not have an ID card.

The Student Center has security staffing when it is open and signage will be posted with a contact number for security. After the transition period, signage on exterior doors will include a security phone contact for access to buildings.

It remains critically important that individuals who are not feeling well or have COVID-19 symptoms stay home.

Need an ID card?
We encourage you to have your ID card with you when visiting campus. Beginning on June 5, access to campus buildings will be by card access for employees and students. If you need an ID card, you can obtain one in person or by mail from the library. Visit the library during open hours 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Saturday. To get an ID card in person (effective May 17):

  • Library and Learning Center-Second floor. You will be asked to show a valid, government-issued photo ID (for example, a driver’s license or passport). We will take your photograph and print your ID in a few minutes.

To get an ID sent in the mail – please send an email to library.circulation@metrostate.edu with:

  • A clear, color photo of yourself
  • A picture or scan of your Minnesota driver’s license or equivalent
  • Your 8-digit student ID number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
  • Your mailing address

Your ID will be mailed to the address provided. Please allow 7–10 days for processing and mailing. The replacement fee for a lost ID card is currently being waived.

Face Coverings
Governor Walz announced that the state mask mandate ended effective May 13. Local jurisdictions and organizations are allowed to require face coverings. The leadership at Metropolitan State University will continue to monitor the guidance from city, state, and health officials. At this point and until further notice, we will continue to require face coverings when people are on any of our campus locations to promote the health and safety of our campus community.

Change in our return to campus timing for employees
After additional discussion with planning teams and the university steering team, the university administration has decided to adjust the timeline for employees returning to in campus work from July 5 to Aug. 2. Additional work is ongoing with university administration on telework and identifying positions that are able to perform work remotely in a hybrid model. We don’t expect a big increase in the number of students on campus for summer semester with the majority of courses held remotely. An early August time frame for increased employee presence on campus will allow us to get ready for fall semester start when 25% of our classes will resume in person.

Vaccinations
All Minnesotans age 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage all Minnesota State staff, faculty and students to get vaccinated.

Minnesotans can use the online vaccine locator map to find vaccine locations near them and contact those health care providers with questions.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Know the Facts

  • The Vaccine is Safe—According to the CDC, over 285 million people in the United States have gotten a vaccine. All three currently available vaccines have been rigorously tested and meet all of the FDA's safety standards for Emergency Use Authorization. The vaccines continue to be monitored closely to ensure safety.
  • It is Highly Effective—All three of the authorized vaccines in the U.S. are highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. Severe cases of COVID-19 are drastically reduced by vaccination. Research studies currently underway indicate that the vaccines are also effective against COVID-19 variants.
  • The Vaccine is Free—The COVID-19 vaccine is available at no cost to everyone ages 12 and over living in the U.S., regardless of immigration status. You cannot be denied the vaccine based on your health insurance coverage. Vaccine providers cannot charge you for any fees related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Your DNA is Not Altered—There are two types of COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States: messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector vaccines. Both work by delivering information that teaches our immune cells to recognize the COVID-19 virus and build protection against it. The vaccines never interact with your DNA.
  • Vaccine Materials—None of the vaccines available in the U.S. contain a live or weakened version of the COVID-19 virus. You cannot get sick with COVID-19 from the vaccine.
  • The vaccines do not contain microchips, fetal tissue, stem cells, mercury, aluminum, or latex. The vaccines are certified gelatin-free and do not contain any pork products.
  • Pregnancy and Fertility—There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility. All data and research currently shows that the vaccines are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding people. In fact, the protection you receive from vaccination may be passed along to your baby.
  • Side Effects—Many people do not experience any side effects from the vaccines. Common side effects include pain at injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, chills, and nausea. These side effects are thought to occur because your body is building an immune response to the COVID-19 virus. Serious reactions are rare and include anaphylaxis and TTS.
  • Fully Vaccinated People—You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your last vaccine dose. Fully vaccinated people can safely resume activities that you did before the pandemic. This includes hugging your loved ones and gathering with friends.

Student telehealth vendor presentations Tuesday, June 1
All Metro State students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend public presentations (via Zoom) from TelaDoc and the Virtual Care Group on Tuesday, June 1. The schedule is as follows:
Registration links*

TelaDoc: 1–2 p.m.

Virtual Care Group: 3–4 p.m.

*Pre-registration is encouraged
Each vendor has been asked to prepare a 40–45-minute presentation, allowing for 15–20 minutes of questions from members of the community at the end. This is an opportunity to learn more about what telehealth services will be offered to Metro State students and ask questions about each of the vendors’ proposals. After the presentation, all attendees will be able to provide feedback to the selection committee to inform the final decision.

If you are unable to attend the presentation(s) live on Zoom, a recording will be available on My.Metro so everyone will have the opportunity to provide feedback and thoughts.