Spring reminders about COVID (for undergraduates)

Key Reminders:

• Take any cold or flu-like symptoms seriously, and follow the guidelines below if you or someone you know develops symptoms.
• Daily attestations in Covid Pass are no longer required, but you must attest if you have symptoms.
• Testing is available on demand for anyone in COVID Pass who needs or wants it.
• Respect each other’s choices about masking.

Dear students,

As we reflect on this past month since we relaxed COVID restrictions on campus, we appreciate how you have adapted to the changes and are working together to ensure that everyone has a good semester. Currently, Massachusetts is seeing a slight increase in COVID cases. As we prepare for warmer weather and spring semester celebrations, we want to remind you of some important policies and precautions.

Report symptoms

First and foremost, be especially mindful of your own health and take any cold or flu-like symptoms seriously. If you start to feel symptomatic, or if you are a close contact of someone who develops symptoms or who tests positive for COVID, please follow these steps:

• Using COVID Pass, immediately attest to any symptoms you develop.
• Start masking as a precaution right away.
• As soon as possible, drop off a PCR test at any of MIT’s self-administered PCR test drop-off locations. You may also use a rapid antigen test if you have one, but we recommend following that up with a PCR test.
• If your PCR or rapid antigen test is positive for COVID, complete MIT Medical’s case information form and follow the instructions emailed to you.
• It’s also a good idea to fill out the COVID support form if you or a roommate tests positive to get additional guidance on next steps.

Please remember that there are more illnesses out there than just COVID. If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, we strongly encourage you to avoid going to work or classes, or having any contact with others. Also, wear a mask whenever you are symptomatic and until you feel better, regardless of your COVID test results. You’ll be doing your part to prevent colds, flu, and possibly COVID from spreading.

And lastly, if MIT Medical’s contact tracing team reaches out to you for any reason, be sure to follow all the instructions they give you.

Positive COVID tests and meals

All positive COVID tests must be reported through COVID Pass, including non-MIT COVID tests or rapid antigen tests you take on your own. Also, for residents of undergraduate residence halls, please keep in mind that meals delivered to the halls are for isolating students who cannot obtain food on their own. Only students who report their positive test through COVID Pass will receive free meals during isolation. Please contact foodneed@mit.edu if you have any dietary restrictions.

Each FSILG has developed a plan to make sure residents who are positive can access meals. If you live in an FSILG, check with your GRA or house president for more information.

Masking 

Thank you for respecting each others’ choices on masking. Masking is something individuals can always do to reduce the spread of COVID, and many community members continue to wear masks for their own health or to protect others who may be vulnerable to infection. You must wear a mask indoors if you are unvaccinated, if you are not up to date with your booster shot, or when you are in MIT Medical or riding on MIT shuttle buses per state regulation. We will continue to make high-quality masks available on campus at the front desks of all residence halls and at testing sites.

Testing 

COVID testing is optional and available on demand for anyone in COVID Pass. In addition to when you are feeling symptomatic or are the close contact of someone who may have COVID, please get tested if you were in an elevated-risk situation (e.g., traveling, attending a gathering) or if you plan on traveling, attending an event, or interacting with people who may be at a higher risk for contracting COVID. Test results will typically be available in COVID Pass within one business day or less.

Thank you 

We know how to manage situations when case numbers increase, and we can do it again. By being mindful of your own health and by taking necessary steps if you start feeling symptoms, we will make it through this situation, too.

Sincerely,

Suzy M. Nelson 
Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Life

Cecilia Stuopis, MD 
Medical Director, MIT Medical