More than 1,100 faculty and staff joined Thursday's Town Hall virtual meeting on campus public health topics. Watch a recording of the one-hour meeting to learn more. A few highlights from the Q&A with campus leaders and community public health experts:
President Wendy Wintersteen said university human resources will share information soon on new programs to assist immunocompromised employees and provide COVID-19 sick time off.
Infectious disease specialist Dan Fulton of McFarland Clinic said that while a rise in COVID-19 cases in Iowa is anticipated later this fall, similar to a year ago, he is confident that "incredibly effective" vaccines will mean fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
Associate vice president for student health and wellness Erin Baldwinsaid federal approval of a recommended third dose of vaccine is expected this fall, and when that happens, employees will be able to receive that dose on campus.
Senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert expressed his appreciation for faculty and staff letters and petitions advocating for science-based COVID mitigation strategies. They are forwarded to the state Board of Regents, and Faculty Senate leaders received a meeting with board staff to discuss their ideas.
And Story County Public Health director Les White said the county is averaging 20 new COVID-19 cases a day, with 40% of current cases in 18- to 29-year-olds.
