October 22, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

Dear Whitman community,

The changing color of leaves and cooler weather make it clear that fall is upon us. October has been a relatively calm month as far as COVID goes; at Whitman, we’ve seen only a few positive cases and have 98% of the campus community fully vaccinated. In the Walla Walla Valley, the number of new positive cases is decreasing, though community transmission rates are still considered high and less than 55% of county residents are fully vaccinated, which necessitates everyone’s continued, careful efforts in preventing infection and spread.

With the autumn comes more indoor gatherings. Whether it’s classes, club activities, staff meetings or department retreats, please continue to exercise wisdom and caution in all in-person gatherings. Wearing masks, opening windows and doors when possible to improve air flow and using rooms large enough to allow for space between seats are all important precautions we can take to make our in-person gatherings as safe as possible.

Taking care of ourselves is also important this time of year. Try to make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercising and eating well to support your immune system. We also strongly encourage you to get the flu vaccine soon if you have not already. If you develop any potential symptoms of COVID-19 (which can seem very similar to a cold, including cough, fever, congestion or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell) please get tested. We offer free COVID testing for students from 8–11:30 a.m. and 2:30–4:30 p.m. at the back door of Welty Student Health Center. Employees with symptoms can contact Human Resources (hr@whitman.edu) to schedule an on-campus COVID test. Non-campus testing options can be found on the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health’s COVID website.

We are pleased that the short October break did not seem to lead to any increase in COVID activity in the Whitman community, and we hope that the upcoming, and longer, Thanksgiving break will go similarly well. We do plan to have required testing for all Whitman faculty, staff and students upon the return from Thanksgiving break, with testing available the evening of Sunday, Nov. 28 and during the day Monday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Dec. 1. Further information will be sent early in November, but please keep this testing schedule in mind as you plan your holiday travel.

From my office window in Mem, I have a great view of students, faculty and staff navigating several paths through campus, and I am so thankful for all of you and all of the measures that we are taking to keep our community safe as we learn, live and work together.

Best,

Peter Harvey
Chair, Coronavirus Task Force