Q&A Series: Further Details Shared About Quarantine Procedures, Returning to the Classroom After Exposure

Marist continued to provide information to the Marist community about their efforts to establishing and keeping a healthy environment for students and faculty. In the live Q&A event regarding “Quarantining and Testing,” hosted by Taylor Milliken, administrative coordinator for Student Affairs, at 7 P.M. EST on Wednesday. All questions were answered related to availability of tests, testing, isolation and quarantining, as well as support from health services were answered. 

Students are required to get tested before coming to campus, ensuring that they allocate enough time to receive the results and quarantine for two weeks if they test positive. Milliken said that various testing sites for COVID-19 report back within different time frames –– some can take anywhere from three days or 10 days to receive test results. 

This process aims to decrease exposure to other students and faculty. Milliken also emphasized the difference between isolation and quarantining: isolation happens when sick individuals separate themselves from others who are healthy, whereas quarantining separates those exposed to the virus and assesses if any symptoms develop. 

Milliken said that if someone tests positive, they do not need to spend the time to retest; rather, they should isolate themselves and quarantine. The molecular-based tests are reliable, which will help indicate “the presence of the pathogen, either by identifying its genetic material or identifying unique markers of the pathogen itself,” according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Milliken reminded participants that approximately 80% of cases are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms. 

Milliken added that the quarantine after the test is just as essential because the test is a good starting place, but it has no purpose if afterwards the individual does not follow CDC guidelines. 

There are private, separate spaces set aside for sick students to heal away from their residence halls. Schoolwork will come second, Milliken said, as the primary goal is to make sure students get better. Support services will be available for students who need to isolate, and extensive support will be provided to all students. If the isolated student starts to feel better, then the student, Health Services and professors will work together to help continue their studies. The student would continue their studies in a separate place until they are fully well. 

Source: Sydney Kysar