The following message was sent to all Mines students on 4/14/20:

Dear Mines students,

During this challenging time, the Student Health Center and all of Student Life would like to thank you all for your collective resiliency, cooperation and flexibility over the last several weeks. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has clearly impacted Mines in unprecedented ways and we appreciate that you are aware of the health implications and are taking action to limit its spread.

With E-Days coming up later this week, we wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the advice from the CDC and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) regarding social distancing.

It is imperative we all avoid in-person gatherings of any kind this week and in the weeks to come. Colorado remains under a statewide stay-at home order through April 26, and this order requires that we all stay home as much as possible, with very limited exceptions. Unfortunately, celebrating E-Days is not one of those exceptions.

Why practice social distancing?

Many of us have heard the term “social distancing.” But what does social distancing actually mean? And why does it matter for the greater good of our society during this uncertain time?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that COVID-19 “seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community.” Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs.

Although the risk of severe illness may be different for everyone, anyone can get and spread COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC now believes that a significant number of asymptomatic individuals are unknowingly transmitting COVID-19 in the community. This is especially concerning because we do not have the capacity or infrastructure to rapidly test large numbers of individuals at this time. The most effective way to halt transmission is to have the entire community practice social distancing.

Social distancing DO’S and DONT’S

  • DO stay at home with your family as much as possible.
  • DO stay off campus unless explicitly authorized. We all understand that social distancing is challenging and you all miss the activities you enjoy on campus. We realize this advice is difficult to implement. But it is life-saving.
  • DO NOT gather in groups to eat, study or socialize at off-campus private residences or elsewhere. The CDC is advising everyone to not gather in groups as social gatherings increase your chances of getting or transmitting the virus. Such activities can also be distressing to neighbors who are sheltering in place.
  • DO NOT visit people over 60 years old or people with preexisting conditions. Visiting seniors or people with underlying conditions puts them at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Try calling or FaceTime them until public health officials suggest otherwise.
  • DO stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people.
  • DO wear a cloth face covering while in public. Governor Polis, the CDC and CDPHE now recommend ALL individuals wear cloth face coverings (not medical masks) in public.

Creating and maintaining social distance will help “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 outbreak, thus keeping the number of cases at a level that local health care providers can manage and ensuring better care for any people who do become ill. By complying with social distancing guidelines, college students, as well as the rest of the population, can do their part to slow the spread of the pandemic and protect ourselves, our families and our community.

Thank you for your partnership and assistance as Colorado School of Mines works to confront these important issues.