Face2Face Initiative

Information as of March 12, 2021

Background perspective

• We are approaching the 60-year anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk announcing the successful testing of a vaccine to prevent poliomyelitis, the invisible virus affecting nearly 60,000 Americans and resulting in approximately 3,000 deaths annually (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/salk-announces-polio-vaccine)
• This landmark discovery would put an end to the need for iron-lungs and a lifetime of affliction of polio patients, including U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and usher in an era in which the “miracle” of vaccination would save hundreds of thousands from disease and premature death.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed the life of over 500,000 U.S. citizen and an estimated 118,000,000 worldwide (Graph of global deaths)

COVID-19

• The historic accelerated development of safe and effective vaccinations for COVID-19 is unprecedented and made possible by advances in the human genome, technology and global scientific collaboration.

Facts about COVID-19 reactions

• COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and are safe and effective.
  • The most common side effect is local (the skin around the shot site) redness, swelling and irritation.
  • A bit of fever, fatigue, headache and body aches for one or two days after, similar to what is experienced with the flu vaccine, occur in more than half of those immunized (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/moderna/reactogenicity.html)
  • A very small percentage (about 0.11 in 10,000) people will have a serious, anaphylaxis-type response to the inactive ingredient used to manufacture the vaccine; however, all of these completely recovered without the need for significant medical intervention.
  • Zero people to date have died from taking the COVID-19 vaccination. (https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/03/10/coronavirus-vaccines-severe-allergic-reaction-risk-low-study/9731615328785/)
  • Generally, past serious allergic reactions to vaccines are the primary reason for not being vaccinated in the future and individuals should confer with their health care provider for questions on whether they should be vaccinated.

What next

• Of the 328,000,000+ million Americans about 16% are fully vaccinated (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/map-covid-19-vaccination-tracker-across-u-s-n1252085)
• As the vaccines become more widely available it is imperative that individuals who are eligible take the COVID-19 shot.
• Wide-spread vaccination and/or immunity from having been infected is how the pandemic will end and allow a return to safely return to life as normal.
• While we wait for the increased uptake of the vaccine, continuing mitigation practices will help to keep our communities, nation, and world as safe as possible.

BIG POINT

• Sign up to take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible, continue to mitigate and take a moment to thank God for the life-saving development of an effective vaccine against COVID-19 (and for the pioneering work of Dr. Jonas Salk while you are at it).
• Feel free to ask questions of your health care team and the COVID-19 Task force as we work together to get our community vaccinated and can once again enjoy the benefit of being together without restrictions.

• LCU Medical Clinic - Rapid COVID test, 15 minutes for results, cost $40
• Rip Griffin parking lot (26th St & Chicago Ave) - PCR oral swab test, 48-72 hours for results, no cost (FREE)
  • Register Now
• Other test site information available on this City of Lubbock Health Department website.

LCU facilities and custodial crews have implemented the following cleanliness standards:

• Increased cleaning of high touch areas including door handles and bathrooms according to CDC guidelines.
• Advanced cleaning technology including electrostatic disinfectant sprayers have been deployed by the university in high-use areas.
• Hand sanitizer stations have been installed in campus buildings.
• Classrooms will be cleaned by custodial staff each day before the start of classes.
• Sanitizing solution and disposable towels will be made available in classrooms for faculty and student use between classes, with training signage and videos made available to faculty and students.
• Resident hall restrooms and common areas will be cleaned daily.
• Greater wireless connectivity has been added to high traffic areas, including labs and library areas, so students can utilize their own devices as much as possible.

• According to public health guidelines, students, faculty, and staff should wash their hands often and supplement that with using hand sanitizer.
• All students, faculty, staff, and guests are to maintain a healthy distance between each other.
• Drinking fountains have been turned off to eliminate the potential spread of the virus through shared use of them.
• The university will provide an LCU branded mask to students when they arrive on campus to supplement the supply of face coverings each student brings with them to campus.
• Wearing a face covering(not merely a face shield) which covers the mouth and nostrils entirely is required of faculty, staff, students, and campus guests while in campus buildings and while in proximity to others in outdoor spaces. The only exceptions are as follows: 
  • Within your own room or apartment or campus office.
  • While actively engaged in an athletic activity.
• COVID-19 health and safety educational and training resources are found in the Education and Resources section below.
• Lubbock Christian University is pleased to host a free COVID-19 drive-through testing site in the parking lot of the Rip Griffin Center.  The site is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take a weekly COVID-19 screening test.

• Students, faculty, and staff should observe social distancing of at least 6 feet whenever possible.
• Classrooms and experiential learning environments (e.g. labs) have been matched to class size to allow for social distancing.
• Indoor community spaces, in general, will have reduced occupancy limits to provide for adequate distancing.

Spiritual life credits can be obtained through a variety of options as follows.

• To accommodate social distancing, students will select, or be assigned, either Monday or Tuesday as their designated day to attend chapel.
• Students may sign up for a Friday small group discussion facilitated by LCU faculty and staff.
• Online spiritual life programing will be available each week.
• Detailed spiritual life policy information is outlined in the Student Handbook.

• Quarantine is the term used for secluding yourself from others after having been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
• The City of Lubbock Health Department, with the assistance of the LCU Medical Clinic or other trained contact tracers, will determine who has been in close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 and thus needs to be quarantined. In general, you will be deemed to have been in close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 if you have been with them in either one of the following ways during the time beginning 48 hours before their symptoms onset until they are released from isolation: 
  • You live in the same house, apartment, or residence hall room.
  • You have been within six (6) feet of that person, with either of you unmasked, for at least 15 minutes.
• Isolation is the term used for secluding yourself away from others while sick with COVID-19.
• Information about Quarantine and Isolation protocols can be found here.

• All employees are expected to monitor themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19. Touchless thermometers are deployed throughout campus to assist you in monitoring yourself for fever (a body temperature equal to or greater than 100.4℉).
• Employees exhibiting potential COVID-19 symptoms are to avoid campus, seek medical attention, and contact their supervisor.
• Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 should: 
  • Notify their supervisor and Human Resources.
  • Avoid campus and follow isolation instructions (as directed by their health provider and the City of Lubbock Health Department).
  • Obtain clearance before returning to work, in coordination with the LCU Medical Clinic.
• During isolation or quarantine, employees are to coordinate with supervisors to work from home as their health and work duties permit. If the employee is unable to work due to their health or work from home is not an option, please notify Human Resources.

• All students are expected to monitor themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19. Touchless thermometers are deployed throughout campus to assist you in monitoring yourself for fever (a body temperature equal to or greater than 100.4℉).
• Students exhibiting potential COVID-19 symptoms are to contact the LCU Medical Clinic or their local health care provider.
• LCU Medical Clinic or the student’s local health care provider will determine whether a COVID-19 test should be administered.
• Any student who is awaiting test results or who tests positive should self-quarantine and notify the LCU Medical Clinic, who will also notify Res Life if the student lives in campus housing.
• Those living in campus housing should follow instructions provided below in the section Students Living in Residence Halls or Campus Apartments.
• The LCU Medical Clinic will notify Disability Services and the Provost of any positive COVID-19 test results so that academic delivery can be arranged during the isolation period.
• Students may return to classes when cleared by the LCU Medical Clinic in coordination with the City of Lubbock Health Department.

• Furniture has been arranged to create safe distancing within shared rooms and is to remain in its current configuration.
• If a student is being tested and has a campus roommate or lives in a residence hall with community bathrooms, Res Life personnel will coordinate moving the tested student temporarily into an appropriate quarantine space to await test results.
• Students who test positive and are in campus housing will be relocated as necessary into appropriate isolation accommodations.
• Apartment residents with a private bedroom who need to quarantine will do so in their own apartment.
• Any student who wishes to quarantine at their permanent residence may do so.
• Students may return to LCU housing when cleared by the LCU Medical Clinic in coordination with local health officials.

• All visitors to the campus offices are required to wear a face covering when entering any campus facility.
• Guests and students with COVID-19 symptoms should not enter campus offices.

• Student-athletes and athletics staff members will have their temperature taken daily upon initial entry into an athletic facility.
• Student-athletes and athletics staff members are expected to monitor themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19.
• A student-athlete who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 will be referred to the LCU Medical Clinic.
• Any student-athlete who tests positive for COVD-19 will be quarantined in accordance with university protocols.

• Social distancing and face coverings are required indoors and at outdoor public gatherings, including meetings, events, and other activities, except when students are actively engaged in athletic activity.
• The Office of Student Life must approve food and its distribution process at events.

• University student group travel will be limited and considered on a case-by-case basis.
• When a student group does travel, face coverings and temperature checks are required.
• Should a student within the traveling group exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, including a fever of at least 100.4℉, the trip sponsor will contact the LCU Medical Clinic for guidance.