Thanksgiving Break is nearly here. No matter your plans, here are a few things to keep in mind—Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and the decisions we Orediggers make over the next seven days will have a big impact on our ability to keep ourselves and the Mines community healthy through the end of Finals Week. COVID-19 cases are soaring across the nation—in big cities, suburbs and rural areas—so whether you’re traveling over break or hunkering down with your roommates in Golden, let these three things be your guide to a safe Thanksgiving:

  • Avoid gathering with anyone you don’t already live with, in any environment, but especially indoors.
  • Wear your mask and maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancewhenever you do interact with those outside of your household. “Outside of your household,” in this case, includes your parents, siblings and other family members if you are living on campus or in an off-campus apartment this semester.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water often.

The more we can all be thoughtful of our surroundings and interactions over break, the better our chances to avoid a large outbreak on campus before the end of the semester. And if you do plan to travel, remember to:

  • Get tested 2 to 3 days before you leave. Make sure to get tested in time to receive your test results before departing. All Mines students can register for a FREE COVID-19 test at COVIDCheck Colorado by visiting https://www.primarybio.com/a/mines. A Mines CWID is required.
  • Do not travel if you are sick. People who have symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have recently tested positive should delay travel until after they complete their isolation period.
  • Avoid ridesharing. If you do choose to share a ride, wear a face mask at all times, open the car windows, keep the middle seat open and wash/sanitize your hands before and after the ride.
  • Self-quarantine when you arrive at your destination. Experts suggest that students self-quarantine for a few days once they’ve returned home for break. Consider increasing ventilation in the house during that time and having all members of the household wear masks while the student monitors their health before reengaging with family in closer quarters.
  • Get tested as soon as possible after you return to campus. On-campus residents may move back into their rooms prior to testing but should schedule their test for either Monday, Nov. 30 or Tuesday, Dec. 1. Students are required to self-quarantine in their room until receiving a negative COVID-19 result, interacting only with roommates and getting take-out meals.

For more travel guidance, particularly for travel around the holidays, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Today at 5 p.m., Jefferson County moves to Level Red on the state’s COVID-19 dial. What that means for you.—Due to sharp increases in COVID-19 cases, local hospitalizations and testing positivity rates, Jefferson County will be moved to the state’s second-highest level of COVID-19 restrictions as of 5 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 20. State leaders and public health officials hope this change will prevent the need for full-blown stay-at-home orders (the new “Level Purple.”) The county’s press release lays out the list of new restrictions that includes a ban on gatherings outside of your household, indoor events, and more.

What does Level Red mean for the Mines campus? In-person learning and research activities can continue, with some alterations to on-campus services—Institutions of higher education remain “essential” businesses in the state’s latest public health order. That said, in response to Jefferson County’s shift to Level Red restrictions, Mines will be making some adjustments to align campus operations with the new public health directive:

  • Mines Market and Periodic Table will be open for take-out only through Thanksgiving Break.
  • The Student Recreation Center will remain open, with a reduced capacity of 10 people per room (or fewer, if appropriate) starting at 5 p.m. today. Reservations will continue to be required for the Fit Lab, Isaacs Room, open swim, fitness classes and climbing wall. Make your reservation here.
  • No indoor events or meetings are permitted until further notice. Student groups will still be permitted to hold outdoor events, limited to 50 people and adhering to guidance from SAIL and Jefferson County.
  • Vice presidents and supervisors will continue to seek opportunities to promote remote work and further scale back on-campus employee headcount where appropriate.
  • No alterations to research activities and operations are expected at this time.

Study spaces remain open but should be treated like classrooms: Mask up and spread out—New signs have been posted around campus to remind everyone of the importance of staying masked up and socially distanced—even while studying together. Stay at least 6 feet from other members of your study group, and do not move any furniture—it’s there for a reason to keep you as safe and distanced as possible while you’re hitting the books.

The designated study spaces around campus will remain open after Thanksgiving Break, but to limit the potential for COVID-19 spread, you should keep your in-person group very small (roommates only, if possible) and invite others to participate via Zoom. Study spaces will also be open to on-campus residents who want to be able to spread out. Get a building-by-building listing of designated study spaces on the Mines Climbs Together website. CASA tutoring will also continue to be offered 100 percent remotely for the rest of the semester.

Student Life to students and families: Countdown to a safer holiday and end of semester—In a message to Mines students and families earlier this week, Student Life urged anyone planning to travel next week to start preparing now to decrease the chances of infection and transmission over the holiday. They wrote: “Simply put: We need to pull on our protective gear and prepare to spend the days and weeks ahead in a safe and smaller-than-usual bubble.” Read the full message, which also included guidance on return-to-campus testing, on the Mines Climbs Together website.

Campus testing site hours, access being extended—The COVIDCheck Colorado (CCC) testing site on the Mines campus has expanded operating hours and is now open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. These hours will be effective until further notice through the end of the calendar year. With the new hours, the testing site can now support any Mines student, faculty or staff member who wishes to test at this location. All Mines students, faculty and staff with a CWID should use this link to register for testing even during community hours: https://www.primarybio.com/a/mines.

CCC is also making appointments available for general community testing at this site Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. Reservations are required. This allows members of your family and household to access testing at this location. Mines students, faculty and staff can also schedule during the community hours. A Mines CWID is required to test during exclusive Mines hours which are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General community members (those without a Mines CWID) can register for testing using this link: https://www.primarybio.com/l/cdphe.

Mines employees: Expanded childcare and elder care services are available through Bright Horizons—As a reminder, full-time, benefits eligible employees have access to back-up care services for their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bright Horizons’ new recommendations hub will assess your needs and options, including:

  • Learning pods: Post a job and get connected with qualified professionals.
  • Virtual caregivers: Get matched with a virtual caregiver who can assist with schoolwork, games and other engaging activities.
  • Online academic support: Gain access to the best online group and individual tutoring and test preparation at a discount.

For specific questions about this service, contact the Benefits Office at mybenefits@mines.edu, and learn more about Bright Horizons’ services here.

Yes, there will be a special Thanksgiving dinner at Mines Market: Your questions about COVID-19 and Thanksgiving Break answered.

Residence Life has received a number of questions related to quarantine, isolation and Thanksgiving Break. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Got a question not answered here or online? Let us know on the Mines Climbs Together web form.

Q. What should I do if I am asked to quarantine and that 14-day period extends into Thanksgiving Break?
A.
Mines strongly encourages students who live on campus to remain on campus to complete their quarantine. Quarantine is intended to reduce the possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. You do not want to take the chance of spreading the virus to family members, your home community or others who might be more vulnerable (elderly and persons with certain medical conditions).

If you do decide to leave campus during quarantine, you should notify crit@mines.edu immediately and ask for additional guidance on protecting others and planning ahead for your return to campus. You will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR only) before you will be allowed to return to your assigned room.

Q. I already tested positive and was told to isolate. What should I do about Thanksgiving Break?
A.
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not travel during their isolation period. Until that isolation period is over—a minimum of 10 days from the date of your positive test/onset of symptoms—you are still considered contagious with COVID-19. Mines will provide housing accommodations and other support services for resident students needing to isolate over break.

Q. What if I test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms during Thanksgiving Break?
A.
If you test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 during break, you must stay wherever you are to complete your isolation period. It is imperative that students who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not travel during their isolation period. Report your COVID-19 case to Mines here: https://www.mines.edu/ehs/report-covid-19/

On-campus residents who left for break will not be allowed back on campus until after their isolation period is completed (a minimum of 10 days from the date of your positive test/onset of symptoms).

Q: What if I am notified during break that I need to quarantine due to close contact with a positive COVID-19 case?
A.
If you left campus for break, we ask that you stay wherever you are to complete your quarantine period. Please contact crit@mines.edu and ask for guidance on protecting others and planning ahead for your return to campus.

If you live on campus, you will also need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR test) result before you may move back into campus housing. The test will need to be taken after you have completed your quarantine and before you return to Mines.

Q. I live in the residence halls and requested to move out prior to Thanksgiving Break and receive a credit to my spring financial account, but now I’m in isolation or quarantine. Can I still get the credit, even if I finish my quarantine or isolation period on campus?
A.
Yes, if you already requested this option by the deadline, you are still eligible for the credit even if your quarantine/isolation period extends into Thanksgiving Break. Mines highly encourages students to stay on campus for quarantine, and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not travel until their isolation period is over. To remain eligible for the credit, please communicate directly with housing@mines.edu to clarify your plans for moving out at the end of your quarantine or isolation period.

Q. Will Mines provide a Thanksgiving dinner for those who stay on campus, including those in quarantine or isolation?
A.
Yes. Mines Market will remain open during Thanksgiving Break for take-out service only, as required by local restrictions. There will three meal periods (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on Wednesday, November 25. On Thursday, November 26 through Sunday, November 29, they will have two meal periods (brunch and dinner). There will be a special Thanksgiving dinner served on Thursday, November 26. Refer to the Mines Dining website for exact operating hours.

Q: If I leave campus for break, what are the testing requirements for returning to my assigned room?
A.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, students living on campus are required to test immediately upon their return to Mines—and twice per week until they depart for Winter Break. Those students returning to Mines residence halls (including 1750 Jackson) and all campus fraternity and sorority houses will be required to:

  1. Get tested as soon as possible upon their return from Thanksgiving Break. Students may move back into their rooms prior to testing but should schedule their test for either Monday, Nov. 30 or Tuesday, Dec.
  2. Self-quarantine until they receive a negative COVID-19 result. Most results are returned within 24-36 hours. During self-quarantine, students should only interact with their own roommates and get take-out meals.
  3. Test twice weekly until winter break. All students living on campus after Thanksgiving will be tested twice per week until they head home for Winter Break.

Editor’s Note: Due to Thanksgiving Break, there will be no issue of Mines Climbs Together next Friday, Nov. 27. Have a fun, relaxing and safe holiday!