COVID-19

Last updated: June 26, 2020
For the most up-to-date information, please visit go.tufts.edu/coronavirus. This information is specific to the Boston Health Sciences Campus.

Face Coverings
• (May 1, 2020) Governor Baker issued an order requiring everyone in Massachusetts to wear a face covering in public if unable to maintain a distance of six feet from other people, effective May 6th. As of April 29th, the City of Somerville is requiring face masks to be worn at all times in public places.

Travel Information
• University-connected and -sponsored travel, both domestic and international, is prohibited through June 30th for faculty and staff and through August 20th for students. This will be periodically reassessed (May 1, June 1, July 1, August 1) based on governmental guidance.

Financial Information
• The university has set up a number of hardship funds to assist students who are facing unexpected expense due to the crisis. Please apply if you are in need.  Additional donations are always welcome!

Classes
• All GSBS Fall semester classes and seminars will be remote.

Events
• All GSBS face-to-face events for the Fall will be cancelled, postponed or held remotely for the Boston campus.

Thesis Defenses
• All GSBS thesis defenses in the Fall semester will be remote.

Meetings
• All Fall semester meetings will be remote.

Research (Returning to Campus)

The intent for reopening is to limit density, minimize exposure for students, faculty, and staff, and to ensure as safe an environment as possible. Each lab has an approved plan detailing the number of people that can be in the lab or on the floor at one time.  Students should work with the PI and PIs should work with their Department Chair to ensure that the plan is being followed.  Any deviations from the plan must be reported to OVPR.  Everyone should limit their time to in-lab necessary work and continue to do any work that can be done remotely at home. 

Before you can come back to lab you MUST: 

  1. Take the Return to Tufts Campus Course
  2. Take your temperature EACH DAY before you come to lab
  3. Complete the Daily Health Screening Survey EACH DAY:
    1. https://covidscreening.tufts.edu
    2. the Tufts mobile app
    3. the Healthy @ Tufts portal (Daily Healthy Status Survey)
    4. You will receive an email confirming that you passed the health check

Entering campus

  1. Wear a mask to campus
  2. Show the security guard your health check email
  3. Tap your ID at the reader on the security desk
  4. Use the provided hand sanitizer to clean your hands
  5.  Take a Tufts-provided mask at the door
    • Masks will be distributed at the entrances to Jaharis and M&V (only enter through these entrances; enter through M&V after 7PM or on the weekends)
  6. Take off your mask from home, and put on the Tufts-provided mask.  This can be done either at the security desk, or if crowded, move toward your labspace
  7. Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer)

Note: after 7 PM, masks and hand sanitizer will be located at the main security office (to the right after entering through the M&V entrance)

Back in the Lab

Use of headphones in the lab and in common spaces is prohibited 🙁

One person per bathroom! Please use the signs and/or knock.

Clean all high touch areas with a 60-70% alcohol solution and paper towel prior to leaving the space. This includes:

  1. Common lab equipment after use
  2. A lunch space after eating
  3. Your lab bench when you finish your shift

Going Home

Wash your hands, remove and discard your Tufts-provided mask, and put on your mask from home. Wash your hands again.

Reporting and Enforcement

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19, please report immediately by email to covid19@tufts.edu.  Guidelines for the procedures related to COVID-19 can be found at https://coronavirus.tufts.edu/health-and-medical/

Non-compliance (of your own lab or another) can be reported anonymously at TUSM Reopening Anonymous Reporting (goes to Linden Hu) or anonymously through the GSBS Report (goes to Dan Volchok).  If anonymity is not an issue, please email Associate Dean Dan Volchok.

Likewise, if you feel uncomfortable coming into the lab for safety reasons or feel like you’re being forced to come in, please contact Dan V. either anonymously through the GSBS Report or directly via e-mail.   If you are uncomfortable contacting Dan V, contact your program’s GSC representatives and we will advocate for you.

#FlattenTheCurve
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. You should wash your hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• Cover your cough with your upper sleeve or elbow to keep germs from spreading. If you cough into your hand, immediately go wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Avoid sharing drinks, food, and/or cigarettes or vaping products.

• Maintain social distancing.

• If you share a room or apartment with someone who is sick, try to stay at least 6 feet away to prevent exposure through coughing. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people.

Mental Health
• A Tufts Boston student Buddy system has been launched to have pairs of students regularly check-in on each other by phone or Skype to keep our spirits up in the absence of daily face-to-face contact. Students can sign up here: CoronaBuddies. While many people might prefer to choose their own buddies for this, we hope you will consider signing up for a random buddy so we can pair people who may feel that they don’t have anyone to go to

• Counseling resources are available through Talk One2One Student Assistance Program on the Health Sciences Campus.

• The Student Advisory & Health Administration Office (SAHA) is a division of Student Affairs for the Boston and Grafton Health Sciences Campuses.

• Other places to seek help: BetterHelp, iHope, and the University Chaplaincy.

Helping Others
• Tufts Civic Impact – Tisch College has launched Tufts Civic Impact, to help coordinate volunteer efforts around the COVID-19 crisis.  The platform will organize and train Tufts students and staff who could be deployed, if/when they are needed, either virtually or in-person, (health, safety and state or local travel restrictions allowing) to support response efforts on our campus and in partnership with our host communities.  For additional information and to sign up, click this link.