Read on Twitter
A thread on @universityofga #UGA and #Covid19 testing, including recent data. UGA is no longer providing updates, since classes are all virtual now, but our positivity rate from asymptomatic surveillance testing jumped to 4% this past week. NOT GOOD. https://www.uhs.uga.edu/healthtopics/covid-19-health-and-exposure-updates
We received an email update on our campus listserv today, ArchNews. The message can also be read here. The GOOD news: we are moving to a saliva based testing protocol, and there will be expanded testing capacity in January. https://coronavirus.uga.edu/2020/12/10/covid-19-testing-plan-for-our-return-in-spring-semester/
However, the baffling, not good news is that we STILL will not have mandatory testing for people living and working / coming to class on campus. Everything is voluntary, and "privately funded incentives" will be offered for those who participate.
I'll say it again: we can, & should, REQUIRE testing for everyone living and working on campus. Georgia Tech has been testing 1000-1500 people *a day* all fall semester. (Although, even they haven't been *requiring* testing). We've had time to build our capacity. @joshuasweitz
One other myth needs to be refuted in the UGA messaging. From the email: "Recent scholarly articles have demonstrated that on college campuses, the primary transmission of COVID-19 has not been through ... instructional settings but rather through off-campus social settings."
First, I'd like to see some citations on those scholarly articles? But second, there's a good reason that UGA has (allegedly) not had classroom transmission -- VERY few students have gone to class regularly this fall. (UGA students will confirm this).
I do not blame the students. With social distancing, for many classes with an in-person option, students could only come ever 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th class meeting. The logistics of mostly online, but occasional in-person options, led to most students opting for zoom only.
For example: I had a 20 person honors class that was held in a class that could seat 12. I never had more than 4 students come in person. Most common attendance was 2. And this was primarily for logistical reasons.
UGA has been clear in their messaging that they are going to push for / encourage more in-person attendance in the spring. It still remains to be seen whether instructors will require in-person attendance for classes that have a zoom option.
From the memo: "(Masks and other mitigation efforts) are fundamental to supporting the University’s ongoing efforts to increase face-to-face instruction, where social distancing can be maintained." My guess: if face-to-face increases, then on-campus transmission will increase.
However, *we do not know* whether there has been on-campus / classroom transmission, because student attendance has been so low and sporadic. Much remains to be seen about how things will shake out in the spring.
My recommendation to faculty: don't require in-person attendance. It's fine, if appropriate, to require zoom attendance for synchronous classes. (Yes, I know it stinks teaching in a mask to a hybrid room; I did it all fall). Continue to offer asynchronous content, if possible.
But the bottom line here: there is NO REASON not to REQUIRE rotating and regular testing of people living and working on campus. If Georgia tech can test 1500 people a day, so can we. Especially once we have fully moved to a saliva protocol.
Once again, a big thanks to the front-line testers, health care workers, and lab folks processing these samples. You are the real heroes and your efforts are seen and appreciated.
