Protecting yourself and others from respiratory illness

Dear Skidmore Students, 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance regarding how people can protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. We are writing to clarify the new guidance and provide information on how to seek support if you are concerned about illness and protect yourself and others from respiratory infections like flu, RSV, and COVID-19. 

What to do if you get COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms: The new CDC guidance recommends that everyone with a respiratory illness (including COVID-19) stay home while they are sick. You can return to regular activities once: 

1. You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications; and 
2. Your symptoms are improving, meaning that you feel well enough to return to your daily routine and any remaining symptoms are mild. 

Once you resume regular activities (like returning to class), it is very important that you continue to wear a mask around others for another full five days, as well as take other precautions to protect others, including frequent hand washing and maintaining distance from others. 

Medical support if you are sick: Please reach out to Health Services if you are concerned about your health at any time. You can submit an appointment request form online and a triage nurse will get back to you during business hours (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). If you have COVID-19 and an ongoing medical condition that puts you at risk for severe symptoms or complications, you may be eligible for an antiviral medication called Paxlovid, which can be prescribed by a provider in Health Services. If you believe you would benefit from Paxlovid, please contact Health Services by calling 518-580-5550.

Testing: COVID-19 tests will remain available to students through the outside Jonsson Tower parking lot window of Campus Safety for the rest of the semester. You are encouraged to test if you are symptomatic or if you are concerned about exposure, but you are no longer required to report positive COVID-19 tests to the College. 

Meals while sick: If you are on a meal plan, you can request “to-go” meals by submitting a request through the Dining Services webpage. You can also give your ID to a friend, who can bring the completed to-go request form to Dining Services and your meal back to you. 

Absences from class because of illness: If you are sick and need to miss class, you should notify your faculty members before missing class and develop a plan for how to make up the missed time. The College will not be notifying faculty members about absences related to COVID-19, or any other type of illness. 

Wishing you a safe and healthy week. 

Sincerely, 
Skidmore Health Services