Follow-up on University communication

02/16/22

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, the University sent a message allowing for the loosening of restrictions around social gatherings, including those with food and drink.  In the Perelman School of Medicine, we operate in spaces that involve the delivery of patient care, and it remains imperative that we are especially vigilant in mitigating any potential spread of virus and infection.

While the numbers we are seeing are indeed trending in the right direction and we are eager for forward progress, we strongly encourage the following at this time:

• be sensitive to the needs of our patients and colleagues, many of whom may be immuno-compromised and/or who may have young, unvaccinated children at home
• avoid crowded settings where people may be unmasked
• utilize our outdoor spaces as best as possible
• continue to mask when not actively eating/drinking [current masking requirements remain in place]
• observe physical distancing

As we continue to monitor the data closely, until further notice, we will continue to restrict events with food and drink from high-traffic areas such as the Smilow and BRB lobbies.

Thank you for respecting and supporting the feelings of our collective community, which includes many who – for reasons spoken or unspoken – may continue to proceed with caution as restrictions loosen around us.  Please allow our colleagues the flexibility to feel safe in all of our spaces.  I am so proud of how we have supported one another over the last two years; thank you for your sustained efforts as we continue to move forward together. 

Be well,

Jon

Jon Epstein, MD

EVD | CSO