Unfortunately, COVID-19 has not gone away. In fact, in recent weeks, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations both nationally and within the State of Iowa. We want all of our employees and students to remain healthy and be in the best position to recover quickly if they do get sick.

Sharing Is Not Caring…During Flu Season: Whether the cause is COVID-19, the flu, or a strong cold, if you have active symptoms (a fever, runny nose, cough, congestion), please do not come to campus. Have a plan: test for COVID. Call in sick, if you need to. Work from home if you are feeling okay but concerned you could be contagious. Visit our COVID-19 and Other Contagious Illnesses page for additional guidance.

Have COVID Tests on Hand: Starting on Sept. 25, the government is once again allowing households four COVID free tests that can be ordered from Covidtests.gov. If you do not have COVID tests at home, we encourage you to order more free test kits to have on hand.

Get Your COVID Booster: Boosters are now available and the CDC recommends updated COVID-19 vaccine for fall/winter virus season. It is easy to schedule online a time to get your booster with CVS or another pharmacy.

Get Your Flu Shot, Too: You can get your flu shot when you receive you COVID booster. Thanks to our friends in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Hy-Vee, there are also still flu shot dates available to receive your shot on campus.

As we head back into cold and flu season, please be thinking about both yourself and others.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources