Student Comments, Concerns or Questions: We have appreciated the thoughtfulness and understanding of the student body in the past week while our community adjusts to do our best in minimizing the community spread of COVID-19. We also understand how easily false narratives can occur when information is fluid and believe creating a space for a conversation is important in these rapidly changing times.
All comments, concerns or questions related to the COVID-19 situation should be sent to meded-covid-19@lists.mssm.edu We will review this account throughout the day and will do our best to provide responses in a format that is accessible by all students.
STUDENT TRAVEL
In light of the recent Broadcast Notification related to international and domestic travel, we are sending this note to clarify how the new policy will be applied to the Department of Medical Education and our students. We are faced with a public health crisis the likes of which none of us has ever experienced. It is up to us to act individually and collectively if we are to contain the spread of COVID-19.
A recent article in The Lancet said it best: “Individual behaviour will be crucial to control the spread of COVID-19. Personal, rather than government action, in western democracies might be the most important issue. Early self-isolation, seeking medical advice remotely unless symptoms are severe, and social distancing are key.”
Our family, friends, neighbors, and the entire nation look to us to set an example of how one should behave at times like these. We should be doing everything in our power to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including foregoing travel plans in an effort to avoid unnecessarily exposing ourselves and others.
Until further notice, all school and work related travel is prohibited. A breach of this policy can result in discipline, up to and including dismissal or termination.
Anyone with a scheduled test date to sit for Step 1, 2CK or 2CS is EXEMPT from the travel restriction. Of course we are closely monitoring and communicating with the USMLE as this as a top-priority situation for our student body.
All personal travel, whether international or domestic, carries with it a very serious risk of spread of infection. Even though the medical school and Department of Medical Education have never had reason to formally approve personal travel plans, our students, staff and faculty should consider that none of these travel plans are approved by ISMMS or the Department of Medical Education, and that anyone traveling must do so at their own risk. This includes the possibility of contracting or spreading COVID-19, being quarantined and/or having travel restricted at your destination, and being quarantined upon return to the United States or New York City.
Choosing to travel means incurring these risks personally, including the cost of quarantine or self-isolation outside of Sinai housing. While we cannot prohibit personal travel, as an institution we do not condone it and will not have the resources to support anyone who chooses to travel and finds themselves facing any of these complications.
We do want to make it as easy as possible to comply with these restrictions. If you need to cancel school-related travel plans, a letter is available for your use that can be used to justify your change in travel plans and has been placed on the MedInfo App for your download.
If despite that effort you are unable to receive a refund or credit, the school will refund the cost of your cancelled transportation. To request for reimbursement, submit the denial documentation you received from the vendor (i.e. airline, hotel, conference fee) and the receipts showing payment to Brendan Bullen brendan.bullen@mssm.edu and Jaclyn Njegric jaclyn.njegric@mssm.edu
ARON HALL GUEST SUSPENSION
The current Guest Policy for Aron Hall policy has been suspended until further notice and this provision to restrict visitors is important to take seriously.
Effective March 13th at 12pm, Aron Hall visitor access will only be granted to students and trainees with active ISMMS IDs and all current visitors must vacate. All new visitor requests will be suspended.
STUDENT HEALTH
When do I go to Student Health?
In light of the evolving situation with COVID-19, please note that the Student Health Center remains committed to the health and safety of all ISSMS students. We remain open for business and want to share a few important points:
- If you feel sick, STAY HOME.
- If you are experiencing mild respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, congestion, shortness of breath), reach out to us guidance about clinical management and do not come directly to Student Health.
- We do not offer COVID-19 testing at Student Health. Patients who require testing (currently this does NOT include individuals with mild symptoms), you will be referred to the Express Care/Martha Stewart Center that is serving as additional clinical space during this time.
- Due to increased volume, we are unable to accommodate walk-in visits at this time. Please call or email if there are no appointment slots available through MyChart.
- If you are unable to reach us, or if it is after hours, you may access the Mount Sinai Telehealth options as follows. Use PROMO code COVID19 to have fees waived.
- Mount Sinai NOW (accessible via Google Play/iStore or now.mountsinai.org) video visit platform available 24/7.
- Click4Care online questionnaire platform available 7AM – 12PM.
For everyone's health and safety, please implement social distancing: avoid large gatherings, stay home when possible and avoid all unnecessary travel. These are unprecedented times and we are all doing our part. Contact Student Health at 212-241-6023 or email studenthealth@mssm.edu
YOUR WELLNESS
We appreciate and admire your ongoing efforts to manage and adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19 while continuing with your daily responsibilities. Particularly during this time of uncertainty, the level of professionalism that you all have exhibited truly speaks to the resilience and strength at the heart of our Mount Sinai community. Many of us are experiencing a wide range of emotions that might include stress, anxiety, or fear, and this is a normal response.
If you are feeling increased stress or anxiety, here is some advice that may help with managing some of these emotions:
- Try not to judge your emotional response. Even though anxiety that paralyzes us is not healthy, some anxiety is protective and ensures that we remain safe.
- Try to reach out to individuals who often make you feel better and minimize contact with those who are critical of you. As social beings, we process our emotions by talking to others and we often benefit from talking with others about what concerns us. The key is to speak to those who we often find helpful, and in times of stress, to limit discussions with others who are not supportive.
- Try to limit the amount of time you are spending on social media or watching the news, especially if you find that afterwards you are left feeling worse. Choose one or two reliable sources that provide information without sensationalism.
- Remember to take care of yourself and apply self-care techniques that work for you. For some, this can be in the form of exercise, meditation or simply watching your favorite funny television show.
It is also important to keep in mind signs that you may benefit from speaking to a professional for additional support. Some of these signs are:
- Inability to stop thinking about the subject matter and focus on other matters
- Anxiety that is interrupting your ability to function at home or at work
- Difficulty sleeping at night
- Change in appetite or weight
- Anxiety that feels like you are in a state of panic and leaves you feeling overwhelmed
- Misusing substances in order to avoid strong emotions
If you’d like to seek further support, please visit the Office of Resilience and Well-being for a comprehensive list of resources.
PUBLIC TRANSIT AND EVERYDAY LIVING
We recognize that not every student lives in Aron Hall and many students travel throughout the greater metropolitan area via public or other forms of transportation. In addition to reducing exposure to large gatherings, the CDC also recommends the following precautionary measures and guidelines to keep you healthy and prevent the community spread of COVID-19.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Keep away from others that are sick.
- Avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places.
- Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
- Clean and disinfect household objects and surfaces in your home.