CBD College COVID-19 Update as of 6/22/2020

From the desk of Alan Heshel, CBD College President:

We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe in these unprecedented times.

I am thrilled to share with you some exciting news! I have an update for you on CBD College’s plans for a limited reopening!

It is consistent with state and local health guidelines. We are currently developing a comprehensive plan to reopen the campus when the City and County permit, but shortly, we will initiate our first phase of reopening for essential functions only, in this case, skills lab training for those students preparing for employment in essential healthcare operations. We plan to start with Physical Therapy Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Surgical Technology that must complete lab work in order to progress into the next phase of their program. Other programs will follow as well, in hopes to avoid any delays in program completion due to lack of lab experience. For the time being, all other coursework and operations will remain in a remote/online status.

CBD takes the health, safety, and welfare of every member of its campus community very seriously. We are taking steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections at CBD, but this is a shared responsibility. Every member of our community – including you – must do their part. This means adhering to health guidelines and requirements, and adhering to those measures CBD determines are safe and appropriate for its campus.

First, we are making changes throughout the campus to limit the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Sanitation And Physical Distancing Measures: While we are on campus, we will all be doing the following:

• All students and staff must wear a cloth face covering or mask at all times while on campus. (Face coverings and masks cannot be shared with others, and must be washed after use each day).
• No more than four people should enter a building elevator at any time. If more than four people are entering the elevator, or they are not wearing masks, please wait for another elevator, and report the situation to CBD administration. Also consider use of stairwells, if you are able to do so and if the building management allows access to stairs.
• CBD will be conducting frequent cleanings of common spaces, including sanitizing bathrooms hourly.
• CBD will limit the number of people allowed on campus, in classrooms, any common spaces, and bathrooms, to allow for sufficient physical distancing. We ask that students and staff be conscientious about maintaining physical distance in hallways, parking areas, and throughout the campus. As a reminder, only those students who need to come on site to complete skills lab training are allowed to return at this time. Those students will be separately notified by email. All other students should continue their remote coursework for the time being.
• Certain parts of the campus, such as lunch and breakrooms, will be closed for the time being.
• While in lab, students must maintain a six-foot distance from others, to the extent possible, given the type of training performed.
• Essential staff and faculty who return to work on campus will be required to maintain physical distance to the extent possible, and CBD will assist employees to establish work areas that allow for appropriate distancing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after having been in a public space or after blowing nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with people who are or may appear to be sick.
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol) when available to supplement your regular hand washing, or when you cannot get to a sink.

Second, all students and staff will be required to acknowledge and comply with the following health and safety procedures when they return to campus. This will include screening yourself, each day, prior to coming to campus.

Self-Screen: Before coming into campus you must self-screen at home by (1) taking your temperature and (2) confirming you are not experiencing any COVID-19-related symptoms, as identified by CDC Guidelines, which include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

• If you have a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, if you are experiencing any of the above COVID-19-related symptoms, or if you are otherwise not feeling well, notify your instructor or Program Director immediately by phone or email and stay home. We will work with you to coordinate make-up hours as necessary.
• Contact your medical provider regarding any symptoms that are severe or concerning to you, and please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.

It is possible that CBD may implement a screening process upon entrance to the campus as we move into subsequent phases of re-opening, but for now, we will require anyone who enters the campus to have self-screened beforehand.
Upon returning to campus for the first time, you will also be required to submit a verification that you have self-screened and do not have any of the symptoms or risk factors as noted above. You may be required to submit periodic, or even daily, verification of self-screening, as we roll-out our broader reopening plan.

Submit A Verification Form Before you Come to Campus: After your self-screen, you must complete a verification form certifying that (1) you do not have a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, (2) you are not experiencing and have not experienced any of the identified COVID-19-related symptoms in the last 14 days, (3) you have not tested positive or been diagnosed as presumed positive with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, (4) you have not had contact with someone who you know has tested positive or been diagnosed as presumed positive with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, and (5) you have not traveled or been in direct contact with someone who you are aware has traveled, to any region under a COVID-19-related travel advisory in the last 14 days.

As noted above, you may be required to verify that you have self-screened as frequently as each time you enter the campus.

We understand that these new processes and requirements may be cumbersome and challenging, but in order to protect the health and safety of our campus community, we must work together. You are choosing to return to campus voluntarily and you must adhere to all of the health and safety procedures listed above.

We will be sending separate emails with more details on your return plan and protocols.

We are so looking forward to welcoming you back!

We will keep you all updated as our plans evolve, and new information becomes available.

Best regards,

Alan Heshel