NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York University said classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will not be held on campus -- but instead online, because of the coronavirus outbreak.
"We are implementing a number of additional actions to keep the NYU community healthy and to contribute to checking the spread of the coronavirus," NYU said in a message posted on its website. "Beginning on Wednesday, March 11 we will move to remote instruction. All classes should meet remotely at their regularly scheduled time.
Over the weekend, Columbia University said in a letter to staff and students that Monday and Tuesday classes have been "suspended ... because a member of our community has been quarantined as a result of exposure to the Coronavirus."
Scarsdale Public Schools in Westchester County said "a faculty member at the Middle School tested positive today" for coronavirus, so it will "be closing all District schools from March 9-18, 2020, for continued cleaning, progress monitoring, and social-distancing."
Columbia explained, "this suspension of activities will allow us to prepare to shift to remote classes for the remainder of the week. I want to emphasize that the individual who has been quarantined has not been diagnosed."
COLUMBIA LETTER IN ITS ENTIRETY:
Dear fellow members of the Columbia community:
I am writing this evening to notify everyone that, because a member of our community has been quarantined as a result of exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have decided to suspend classes on Monday and Tuesday. This suspension of activities will allow us to prepare to shift to remote classes for the remainder of the week. I want to emphasize that the individual who has been quarantined has not been diagnosed at this point with the virus.
Please understand that the decision to suspend classes does not mean that the University is shutting down. All non-classroom activities, including research, will continue in accordance with the new travel and events restrictions announced recently. At this point, just to restate what is important to know, we do not have a confirmed case of the virus on campus. This action is intended to prevent the virus from spreading.
This message will soon be followed by more specific information from deans and other University leaders, including plans for remote instruction beginning Wednesday and continuing until the start of Spring Break on Friday.
Let me say how much we appreciate the efforts of everyone who is helping us work our way through this challenging situation and your understanding and attention. As always, we are especially committed to providing updates as we have more information and recommendations.
Sincerely,
Lee C. Bollinger
MESSAGE FROM SCARSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Coronavirus Update: March 8th, 2020
This evening the District was informed that a faculty member at the Middle School tested positive today for COVID-19. The District is working with the Department of Health (DoH) to discuss the full extent of precautions that we should be taking. We have spoken with the Westchester County Health Commissioner this evening, and she recommended that we close our schools in an abundance of caution and take additional remedial measures as outlined below. Therefore, we will be closing all District schools from March 9-18, 2020, for continued cleaning, progress monitoring, and social-distancing.
The impacted faculty member is exhibiting mild illness, and the District's response is designed to demonstrate vigilance and recognition of individuals who may be immuno-compromised. The DoH indicates that individuals of primary concern would be those who experienced direct, close contact with the affected faculty member.
We are approaching this closure with the following priorities:
The first priority is the health and safety of those potentially impacted. We are already working with DoH Officials to contact any families who DoH officials feel need to be notified and given guidance for further actions. This communication will be ongoing and is likely to take time to complete, please understand that the Administration and DoH are working as fast as possible, but we must make sure that the information provided to families is correct.
Our second priority is to complete the thorough disinfection of all buildings, so as to minimize the possibility of contamination in our instructional spaces, common spaces, offices, etc.
Our third priority is to complete the development of systems and plans for continued instruction so that our faculty is ready to engage in e-learning starting Monday, March 16.
We recognize that this news will be concerning to many of our students and families. We ask that medical questions be directed to your family doctor/healthcare provider. Although staff will not be reporting to District buildings, principals and Central Office administrators will be available through email, and we will make every attempt to address your questions and concerns, as time allows.
Please note that a District-wide closure means all school-activities, meetings, and events, including sports, PTC events, etc. are canceled. We do not have any information on the makeup of any of these activities at this point. This will be communicated when, and if, these activities are rescheduled.
Please stay tuned for updates as the next weeks unfold. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
