Health and Safety

Everyday Health and Safety Precautions

Below are the baseline behaviors we will need from our entire university community to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

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Complete a daily a Personal Wellness Check

  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • New loss of smell or taste
  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Muscle pain

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Practice Social Distancing

Keep at least 6 feet from others at all times

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Remember to Cover-up

  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected
  • Face covers protect others who may be at risk when you may not even know it
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have
    to go out in public
  • Cloth face covers help you avoid touching your face
  • The cloth face cover is not a substitute for personal hygiene and social distancing

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Each of us should

  • Wash your hands frequently OR use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Use appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet
  • Remember high-touch surfaces can collect infectious germs
  • Replace handshakes and hugs with waves, jazz hands or clothing-covered elbow bumps

Face Covering

Phased Plan Toward FHSU Employee Return and University Re-Opening Face Covering Policy

– Effective July 20, 2020

General Rule: When present on University property, all employees, students and visitors must wear face coverings over their mouths and noses when in common areas of a building (including hallways, elevators, public spaces, classrooms, conference rooms, and other common areas), and when within six (6) feet of another individual anywhere on University property. If you are alone in your office or personal workspace and are able to socially distance, or if you are outside and are able to socially distance, you can remove your face covering.

Exceptions: Students in their residence hall rooms, and individuals while they are participating in activities in which a face covering cannot be worn, or would prohibit respiratory function (like eating, drinking, or playing sports). Additionally, employees and students with a recognized disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering can contact the Human Resources office (if an employee) or Student Accessibility Services (if a student) to discuss possible accommodations and the appropriate documentation process.

Basic Ground Rules: We ask that employees, students and visitors provide their own face coverings, but the University will have a supply available to provide to those that do not have one. Individual supervisors and faculty members should offer University provided face coverings to those that do not have one, and make an initial effort at educating and holding employees and students accountable, within their respective areas.

Enforcement and Additional Guidance: Complaints concerning violations of this policy by employees or visitors should be reported to Human Resources, and complaints concerning violations of this policy by students should be reported to Student Affairs. Individuals may utilize the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concern Reporting form for this purpose. Additional guidance and best practices information concerning face coverings can be found on the CDC website.

What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Fear and anxiety have been common reactions to the news reports, closures and rapid spread of infections in the US.  Kelly Center counselors (785-628-4401) are available to help students put the current situation into a manageable perspective.  The Student Health Center (785-628-4293) is available to advise students who are ill with respiratory symptoms.  Patients may call to obtain access to nurses and receive advice on appropriate care. 

COVID-19 Explained

Are you wondering what happens in your body when it’s exposed to coronavirus? Yale School of Medicine Ph.D. student Clara Liao explains how coronavirus turns cells in your bodies into virus-making machines.

 

Hays Medical Center has implemented a COVID-19 hotline at 877-261-7140.  Citizens may call and speak with a nurse and receive guidance on accessing care 7 days per week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  

Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Information

Increasing numbers of infections are reported in nearly all states.  The information is continuously updated at the CDC's confirmed cases page.  

The CDC has posted an informative list of FAQs that may answer your questions about the virus. 

World Health Organization COVID-19 Information   

A 5-minute video has been posted by the World Health Organization and provides an overview of the virus.

 

Kansas Department of Health COVID-19 Resource Center   

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a webpage devoted to information on COVID-19. Helpful FAQs may provide answers to specific questions. The Latest KDHE Updates are posted here, including videos of the regularly scheduled press conferences.  Quarantine is still mandated from Kansan's returning from some locations outside of Kansas.  Here's the most recent list.

Mental Health Resources

FHSU and the Kelly Center has taken proactive measures to deal with the Coronavirus public health challenge. As we work to support the campus community during this challenging time, faculty and staff at the Kelly Center have created videos with tips, games, and lessons you can add to your mental health tool-kit to help you adapt to these challenging times. 

Please check back regularly as we will be adding additional videos and resources to this page. 

How do you manage stress during challenging times? Focus on what you can control

 

Tips for managing stress during the COVID-19 outbreak

 

Developing healthy sleep habits

 

Managing your social media time

 

Study habits to help you succeed academically 

 

An exercise in grounding, 5.4.3.2.1.

COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are FAQ's that may be helpful as we navigate these uncertain times as a result of the coronavirus. 

FALL 2020 FAQ'S

Health And Safety Resources for FHSU Employees

Making sure you are ready to return to work

The Human Resources Department has created a Return to Work Toolkit to assist employees in transitioning back to work on campus this fall.

Reopening your office

Prior to returning to work on campus, each campus office must submit a completed Operational Area Reopening Plan via the appropriate chain of command for review and approval by the Critical Incident Policy Group. Decisions and return dates will be provided as quickly as possible.

COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES  

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