Post Pandemic Plan: Purdue to Test Students, Staff
(image courtesy: Purdue University/Dave Weigel)
Post-pandemic life at Purdue University will include virus testing and tracing of students when campus life returns this fall.
In a YouTube message released this week, President Mitch Daniels said the university will institute a number of changes and proactive steps ahead of the fall semester.
“We are out to be the most prepared, the safest campus, we can be for you and every other member of the Purdue family.”
Daniels announced last month the formation of the Safe Campus Task Force, a broad-based team of experts, including academic, clinical, operational and safety fields from throughout the school. He says its mission is to explore every possible change that could occur in how the campus operates.
“We’ll be testing people and tracing those who do prove to have caught this infection for their own protection and protection of others,” said Daniels. “Anyone who is found to have contracted the ailment will be isolated for their own safety and comfort and for that of others.”
In a separate statement from the university, Daniels said some screening could occur before students and staff arrive in August and once the semester begins.
He said the university will use its own laboratory, which has a biosecurity level of BSL-2, for fast results.
“We’ll use all the technology that Purdue and our many partners can summon to do this as well as anybody in the country.”
The just-released video is short on details, with Daniels speaking in broad terms, while the task force develops and releases an action plan.
“You’ll see face coverings. And more cleaning than ever before,” Daniels said.
The university president there will be a lot of distance and not just social distance “we’ve all learned to practice,” indicating there will be more distance between classes.
Daniels said the campus will limit the size of groups who get together in person.
“Undoubtedly, we will have to forego many of the big events that are a typical part of campus life, at least for a while,” said the president, while not mentioned specific activities that fall under the category.
Daniels said cooperation will be key in preserving a healthy campus environment, “a responsibility we all share.”
Watch the full message in the video below: