Timely request from Bailey Health Center

Dear Lafayette Community,

We write to inform you of a recent surge in student illness on campus and to ask for the assistance of faculty and students in addressing it. While cases of COVID-19 are generally low, cases of common respiratory illnesses are uncharacteristically high. The result is a significant increase in student appointments at the Bailey Health Center that is exceeding the medical staff’s capacity to meet with every student. For the next 2 weeks, we therefore ask for help in tackling this situation as a community.

• For faculty: Because of the press of cases, the Bailey Health Center may not be able to provide dean’s excuses for every student who is ill. We ask any faculty member who requires dean’s excuses to suspend that practice until Thanksgiving break. Faculty members still maintain their attendance and participatory requirements in their course; and significant concerns about absences should be brought to the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs.

• For students: Please use the good public health behaviors we all know well, taking special care to wash your hands frequently and use optional masking. We also ask that if students are unable to get a prompt appointment at the Bailey Health Center they temporarily seek support from other places. Local alternative resources include St. Luke’s Care Now, Patient First, and the Lehigh Valley Health Network as well as personal insurance telehealth. For those who can travel for nearby healthcare, here is the LANTA Bus Route.

We will report out as soon as the surge abates.

We thank you all for your flexibility and understanding as we get through this surge. Students, please don’t hesitate to reach out to student life or our other support systems as needed.

Kind regards,