University of Maryland Health Center Stays Open Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Image credit: Ryan Lepore for The Campus Trainer
Operating hours of the University Health Center during campus shutdown:
March 18-20: 9 am – 5 pm
March 23-27: 9 am – 5 pm
March 30 - April 3: 8:30 am – 5 pm
April 6-10: 8:30 am – 5 pm
As of right now the University Health Center does not have the ability to test for COVID-19, but they are committed to caring for students and UMD personnel who make an appointment by phone, (301) 314-8184. UHC does have the ability to treat symptoms or refer you to another medical facility if necessary. If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, you are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Dr. Sacared Bodison, interim health center director, has a message for the UMD community:
“Basic self-care such as regular exercise away from others, washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces of your home and work environments, eating nutritious food, staying hydrated, getting sufficient rest, and managing stress in healthy ways are great practices during this time. The University Health Center along with our Division of Student Affairs Departmental colleagues are here for you. We encourage our community to help flatten the curve to reduce the overload of the healthcare system by practicing social distancing or remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance. Everyone can practice social distancing by doing things like working from home, avoiding large parties, maintaining personal space (ideally, 3-6 feet), and choosing to go to public places at times that are less crowded. Caring for each other's wellbeing is important too–some members of our community may be more susceptible to illnesses like the COVID-19 disease so such practices can be life-saving.”
Amanda Burkholder, a doctoral candidate in the department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at UMD, said, “[the] health of students [is the] number one priority but we have to focus on learning too.” Burkholder added, "It's always better to err on the side of caution, a protect the herd mentality."
Burkholder is glad for the week of training for professors to get their classes online but doesn’t think it will be too hard of a transition because most classes already utilize the internet a lot.
Freshman Nina St. Hillaire is studying biochemistry and said, “[UMD was] very cautious with decision making.”
“I think it was at the right time,” Hillaire said about UMD’s decision to keep students away from campus.
UMD is on Spring Break for the weeks of March 16 and March 23 while professors prepare to move classes online for the remainder of the semester.
