Important message from Dean Coben

Dear Public Health Students,

I’m grateful for the many of you who have been doing your part to ensure our safe return to campus. This includes adhering to the many “Absolute Must-Knows” and, thus, leading by example as a future public health professional.

As we embark on another weekend in Morgantown, it’s a good time to be reminded of a few important details, some of which have been introduced or updated earlier this week:

• Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli signed a written order yesterday which went into effect at 12 a.m. today (Sept. 11). A map where public health gatherings are prohibited can be found here.
• A WVU Health Sciences Professionalism Policy can be found here, and my expectation is that we are all adhering to it. We have an important responsibility: to demonstrate leadership as a School, regardless of our role – as faculty, staff and, perhaps, most importantly, as students.
• Watch the “Three Cs”: close continuous contact with others; crowds; and close spaces. Hopefully by now, this has become your mantra and new way of life. We know that through these simple actions, we can protect others, as well as show our leadership and sense of caring for the community. Please continue to do your part and encourage others to do the same.
• Don’t forget to self-monitor for symptoms by completing the daily wellness survey.
• Please stay informed. Continue to refer to the Return to Campus site and closely monitor your emails – especially those from the University and School of Public Health.

As I’ve said before, the entire world now understands the important role of public health in all that we do. This pandemic has amplified a core fundamental of our discipline: good health is not simply a matter of choice or genetics. Rather, it is impacted by the conditions in which people live, work and play.

You have made the astute choice to dedicate yourselves to improving those conditions – and now, more than ever, it is our opportunity to “meet the moment” by helping do just that: improve those conditions by helping to ensure the safety of our own community, right here on campus and in Morgantown.

Be well and stay safe.

Dean Coben