Your weekend plans

Dear Buckeye,
 
As we move into our final weeks of the semester amid rising cases of COVID-19 throughout Ohio and the nation, it’s more important than ever that we stay Together as Buckeyes and continue to do all we can to fight the spread of the virus. We must act not only for ourselves and our campus community, but for the health and safety of friends and family we may be visiting in the coming weeks.
 
Increases in COVID-19 cases in surrounding communities and throughout the state are growing more concerning by the day.
 
We’ve also found evidence of rising cases at Ohio State, particularly in our off-campus student community, and are concerned that the trend could become more significant on campus, especially if students attend large gatherings. Nothing is inevitable about this virus. It remains within your power to help control its spread on and around campus.
 
If you live off campus, please diligently follow all safe and healthy guidelines, particularly in limiting gatherings to fewer than ten people — the smaller the better — and maintain physical distance.
 
We also strongly urge students living on campus to stay on campus this weekend, especially as you cheer on the Buckeyes when they face Rutgers tomorrow night.
 
As a reminder: Masks — worn properly over your nose, mouth and chin — remain one of our greatest tools in protecting not only ourselves but others, including those most at risk of hospitalization and death. Physical distancing of 6 feet or more further reduces the spread and is increasingly important if you are eating together. Limiting indoor gatherings and staying with the same small group, ideally your roommates, when you do gather is another powerful tool.
 
We know this is a sacrifice. This is not how anyone wants this semester to be. But we also believe in the determination, power and selflessness of our Ohio State community. We owe it to ourselves, our friends, our families and our community to do what’s not only best, but what is necessary.
 
This is like halftime and we’re tied with Michigan. This is the time to put everything you
have into the fight.
 
With warm thanks for all you have done and continue to do in the name of public health.
 
Together As Buckeyes,
 
Gladys M. Gibbs, MD, MS
Director, Student Life Student Health Services
 
Amy Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Dean, College of Public Health
Professor, Health Services Policy & Management