Ithaca College

Dear Ithaca College Community,

I hope that you are all staying safe and feeling well.

Since new information about the COVID-19 pandemic is being gathered all the time, I wanted to reach out as the medical director of the college’s Hammond Health Center to provide you with some important updates and answer some questions you may have.

This is a challenging time with lots of unknowns. People are worried about their loved ones and often feel isolated. So the first thing we want to make sure you know is that the college has resources to help you remotely! 

For students in need, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Hammond Health Center, and the Center for Health Promotion are all available. Our Center for Health Promotion offers virtual wellness coaching sessions, and has compiled a listing of online resources for staying healthy while social distancing.

You can find more information at these websites:

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Hammond Health Center
• Center for Health Promotion

For faculty and staff in need, we encourage you to access the services of the NexGen EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Information on these services can be found on the HR website.

How do I learn about the number of COVID-19 cases in Tompkins County and New York State?

Both the Tompkins County Health Department and the New York State Department of Health provide daily updates on their respective websites. For Tompkins County, this not only includes information on the number of individuals who have tested positive, but also important local health advisories.

How can I be tested for COVID-19 in Tompkins County?

A drive-through screening site has been created to safely and rapidly test community members who are sick or at risk of having contracted the novel coronavirus. Testing is available Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The Cayuga Health Sampling Site is located at the Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd. Pre-register online at www.cayugahealth.org or call the Cayuga Health Registration Line at 607-319-5708.

Do I need to cover my face with a mask?

At the start of this pandemic, the information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that healthy people do not need to wear masks. Individuals who were feeling ill were encouraged to wear masks to minimize the spread of droplets while sneezing or coughing. New studies indicate that some individuals with COVID-19 won’t have symptoms or won’t show symptoms initially and still may transmit the virus to others.

Due to this new information, the CDC now recommends that all people wear a cloth face covering when in public settings (especially when social distancing measures cannot be maintained). The cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those latter two items are critical supplies reserved for healthcare workers or emergency first responders. Though wearing a face covering may offer some protection, it is essential to continue social distancing measures (including staying home unless absolutely necessary) and appropriate hand hygiene.

More information about the use of cloth face masks can be found on the CDC website.

What is really meant by social distancing?

As a physician and mother, I feel a strong responsibility to emphasize the importance of social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of becoming infected with COVID-19. Working from home, utilizing remote learning from home, and connecting with friends and loved ones via electronic devices instead of in person are other examples of social distancing. This is how we “flatten the curve,” minimize the possibility of transmitting significant illness to others, and help to lessen the burden on our courageous healthcare personnel.

Once you have established who is in your family unit, your unit should ideally not be interacting with others in person. The current recommendation is that even meet-ups between different family units be avoided as some people can be infected and not show symptoms (or show such mild symptoms that they may spread illness to others without realizing it).

Please avoid leaving the house unless absolutely necessary and avoid public transportation when possible. When shopping, utilize social distancing, avoid eating and drinking, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands frequently.

As always, you can find the most updated information from the college on its dedicated coronavirus website.

Wishing you good health and courage,

Ellyn Sellers-Selin, MD
Medical Director
Ithaca College