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February 26, 2022
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Since the onset of this global pandemic, our students, faculty and staff stepped up. Life has certainly changed since March 2020, but time and again, we have supported one another, and we have been flexible and adaptable as we continue to navigate COVID-19. This has not just required a commitment from our community, but the personal responsibility of each of us.
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The latest Omicron variant has spread across the globe, and it appears we have seen its peak both nationally and locally. In Wood County alone, our reported cases are significantly less than the start of the year, our latest dashboard shows just 11 cases and we are unaware of any hospitalizations. |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance yesterday and developed a new tool, COVID-19 County Community Levels, to inform prevention and mitigation strategies. The new county levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by assessing the local hospital beds being used, hospital admissions by COVID-19 patients and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in local areas. |
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Recommended precautions are now tied to these risk levels. At the low and medium levels, universal indoor masking is no longer recommended as a public health practice, including in classrooms and residence halls. However, individuals may choose to wear face coverings at any time.
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Everyone is encouraged to continue to stay updated on their COVID-19 vaccinations and get tested if experiencing symptoms. If you are high-risk for severe illness, please connect with your health care provider about whether you need to wear a face covering and take other precautions. Wood County is at a medium (yellow) risk level and Erie County is at a low (green) risk level. Neither of our campuses are at a high (red) risk level.
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With the updated guidance from the CDC and our local health departments, we are updating our face covering practices.
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Effective Monday, BGSU will no longer require face coverings on its campuses.
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We have been and continue to move toward an endemic. We will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on our community, and we will adjust our public health measures as needed in the future. We have high vaccination rates among our students, faculty and staff, in fact, more than our region and state. We have KN95 and N95 masks available, along with access to vaccines and fast and reliable testing. We will be updating our COVID-19 website, and if you have any questions, you may reach out to health@bgsu.edu. |
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Throughout this global pandemic, we have constantly focused on a balanced approach, and we are here today because of the power and will of humankind. Our position to tackle what’s next with this virus reaffirms the success we see right here in Bowling Green, Huron and across Ohio and the nation. The change in our face covering practices does not mark the end of this global pandemic. However, let's take a moment to celebrate this progress, which truly demonstrates the power of education, scholarship, research, technology and innovation. Progress that would not have happened without the educational and research activities of colleges and universities and their graduates throughout our nation and the world.
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COVID-19 continues to be a journey. We have heard from every side of every argument, from current students, faculty and staff to our parents and families, alumni and community members. Their perspectives have certainly kept us grounded, but we always came back to a balanced approach. Like we have done throughout the past two years, we ask you to be flexible and adaptable, be kind and have common respect for those who choose or do not choose to wear a face covering. We will continue – we must continue – to find a way forward, together.
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Regards,
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Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
President
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Benjamin M. Batey, MPH, RN
Chief Health and Wellness Officer
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