By LaVielle Hibbert
COVID-19 also known as the coronavirus has been the biggest health epidemic this year. The spread of the virus has had everybody globally in a frenzy.
Shelves are bare without the essentials: no tissue, paper towels, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizers, disinfectants etc.
Schools are also taking precautionary measures because of the fast spread of the virus. California issued a state of emergency so people would be more aware of the extreme consequences of the virus.
Pasadena City College (PCC) has been issuing weekly statements regarding the virus ㅡ updating students, faculty and the general public.
“As a precautionary measure, both the county and the City of Pasadena declared a public health emergency in their jurisdictions,” said PCC Health Services. “It is important to note that there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus transmission in Pasadena at this time, and PCC is open for normal operations.”
On Tuesday, Pasadena Independent received a press release from PCC listing changes taking effect on March 18 through the end of spring break, April 20.
By March 18, PCC will convert most in-person classes to offer temporary remote instruction wherever possible through Canvas, Zoom, and other modalities. No changes will be made to courses that require face-to-face instruction; these courses will continue to meet on campus as scheduled. Examples of courses in this category include performing arts, lab courses, and physical education. Faculty should contact their dean for further clarification.
From March 18 through April 20, college events with a projected attendance of more than 100 people will be cancelled or postponed. Sporting events will be conducted wherever possible without spectators, while college arts performances will be postponed until later in the semester. Community events will be cancelled or postponed.
To help facilitate this transition, the agenda for PD Day will be reconfigured to allow faculty, staff, and managers time to prepare for these changes. Breakfast and lunch on Thursday (March 12) will proceed as planned in the Piazza, as will the streamed message from Dr. Endrijonas at 9 a.m. sharp. Faculty, staff, and administrators should plan to tune in to the stream to learn more about PCC’s ongoing response to the coronavirus outbreak. The special classified morning event and all afternoon breakout sessions have been cancelled. More information about how preparations will unfold within Academic divisions and student services and other departments will be forthcoming from the Office of Professional Development and your supervisor or dean.
The college is not closing. College facilities will remain open, and many operations will continue normally. Unless they are actively sick, employees are required to report to work as normal.
The custodial staff on campus is aware of the dangers that this virus could bring. They are been increasing cleaning and sanitization efforts, and increased supplies of hand sanitizer, soap, and other cleaning products are being distributed around the campus to prevent the virus from spreading.
PCC is encouraging it’s staff and students to keep up to date with what is going on in the school and county, practice good hygiene, stay at home if you become sick, identify your medical provider and know how to contact them, update your personal emergency plan and help the college to remain calm during this time.
