Despite requiring students to take COVID-19 tests, Quinnipiac University isn’t holding faculty and staff to the same standard.
Because faculty and staff are typically older than students, they are more susceptible to contracting the virus, according to the CDC. Still, Dr. David Hill, professor of medical sciences and director of the global health program, said testing isn’t needed because they aren’t on campus as often.
“We believe that faculty and staff are on campus for much less time than residential students,” said Hill. “The few hours that staff spends a day on campus does not warrant them to be tested.”
Despite not administering COVID-19 tests for faculty and staff, Quinnipiac will provide healthcare coverage for those who want to be tested. Still, some staff members are indecisive about whether they want to be tested on campus.
“For me, my wife is a health care worker, so it is kind of up in the air,” said Anthony Carter, a Chartwells employee. “I know I try to take all the precautions I can because I have little kids as well, but, I’m kind of up in the air. If they want us to get tested, I don’t have a problem with it, and if they don’t, then that’s fine.”
Some, however, don’t think tests are needed unless one’s showing symptoms. In order to keep track of potential symptoms, faculty and staff are told to input their symptoms into the “QU Symptom Checker” app and take their temperatures before coming to work.
Staff members are also taking additional safety measures before, during and after work.
“Before I get to work I make sure to wipe down my station, even though it gets wiped down at night,” said Carter. “I make sure I wash my hands whenever I leave or return to my station. And I obviously try to social distance as much as possible. And just be aware of everything and all of my surroundings.”
Through all the precautions and safety measures in place, Hill made it known that faculty and staff on-campus testing is still possible.
“If there is an outbreak in cases among students, we possibly may start testing everybody,” said Hill. “All options are on the table.”
Whether or not faculty and staff testing is implemented, Hill is hoping to keep the Quinnipiac community safe, and he believes that the protocols in place will keep COVID-19 from permeating into the Bobcat bubble.
“We all hope that we can get through the semester safely and we don’t have to go back to remote classes,” said Hill.
(This story was contributed by Brendan O’Sullivan and Yanni Tragellis)