March 12, 2021 – Threshold Action Level Update

Dear Whitman community,

This week, the U.S. marked the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a difficult year full of loss, but all we have learned and the measures we have taken to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors are paying off as cases around the country decrease. 

However, we must remember that this pandemic is not over, so while there is good cause for optimism about a future not defined by COVID-19, that day is not today. New and more contagious variants of COVID-19 are present in Washington state, have been identified in the Tri-Cities and are very possibly already in Walla Walla, and we cannot let the sunshine and low case counts lull us into complacency.

We know what we need to do in order to continue moving toward the eventual end of this pandemic: properly wearing face masks in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, maintaining occupancy limits and 6 feet of distance from others, monitoring ourselves for COVID symptoms, taking our assigned surveillance tests and getting vaccinated when we are eligible. These transmission-minimizing steps will remain standard practice throughout the spring for all members of our campus community.

At Whitman, we are very pleased that a third consecutive week has passed with zero new cases of COVID-19. For the coming week, we will remain at our current Threshold Action Level 2: Medium as we await clarification on changes to the state Roadmap to Recovery plan. Gov. Inslee announced yesterday that the entire state will move to Phase 3 on March 22, but the full details of what Phase 3 entails are not yet available.

We do know that Phase 3 increases occupancy limits on indoor dining and fitness facilities, and we anticipate that will allow us to open our dining services and athletic facilities to employees once Phase 3 goes into effect March 22. Other impacted activities will be evaluated once we have more information on Phase 3 guidelines.

For now, there are no changes to the activities available on campus; review the list of what is currently allowed and participation guidelines in last week’s Threshold Action Level update on our website.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation with our campus and local COVID-19 practices. Enjoy a safe and socially-distanced weekend!

Best,
Peter Harvey
Coronavirus Task Force Chair