Happy New Year + some reminders

01/03/22

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year!  I hope the Winter Break has been one of restoration and rejuvenation. 

As many of us resume work this week, I write to highlight the University message from Friday, in particular available PCR testing on campus and gateway testing for faculty, staff, and post-docs upon return to campus.  Information about hours and locations can be found here.

As a reminder, in close coordination with the University and our Health System colleagues, we strongly encourage members of our PSOM community whose jobs do not require an on-site presence to work remotely and/or develop alternative schedules, with supervisor approval, to reduce our on-site workforce at this time. 

We continue to monitor closely COVID numbers on campus and in our region (including analyzing SARS-CoV-2 variants), as well as updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  It is imperative that we continue to socially distance and avoid eating or drinking near others; we also strongly recommend surgical masks (available at the Stellar Chance Security Office), (K)N95 masks, or double-masking at this time.  Lastly, unless an approved exemption is granted, all members of the Penn community are required to get a booster vaccine shot by January 31, 2022 or as soon as they become eligible (if they have not already done so), and to document confidentially this information in Workday.

Thank you for continuing to protect and take care of yourselves and your community during these ever-changing and ever-challenging times.  In addition to wellness resources available through the Office of Academic Affairs, please take a look at these tips for mental health during the winter months recently shared by PennMedicine.

All best wishes for a healthy and safe new year.

Jon

Jon Epstein, MD

EVD/CSO