Iowa State University COVID-19: Moving Forward
Current Updates
Events at County Offices: Update to the County General Liability Policy - Feb. 4, 2022
Safe food handling is still a priority for ISU Extension and Outreach. Contact your regional director if you need clarification on when to purchase special event coverage.
- Food that is made or sold by Extension/4-H at county fairs, including 4-H food stands, no longer needs a special events policy.
- Food that is made or sold for stand-alone fundraising events, not in conjunction with county fairs, will need to obtain a special events policy.
- Food sales for fundraising from a third-party vendor, such as fruit, frozen pastry, frozen pizza, cookie dough, sausage and cheese, do not need to obtain a special events policy.
- Please refer to the Food Safety for County Offices document dated May 4, 2021, from Human Sciences for food handling safety procedures and expectations for extension staff and volunteers.
COVID-19 Update from Vice President for Extension and Outreach John Lawrence, January 28, 2022
- Take care of yourselves and each other.
- Continue to prioritize health and safety.
- Share this updated poster that lists COVID-19 symptoms and encourages people to stay home if they aren’t feeling well (accessible by extension staff).
- I encourage you to use our COVID-19 registration statement on registration forms and online registration websites, and our thank you statement on any online registration services or other “thank you for registering” methods. These messages gently explain that we are prioritizing the health and safety of Iowans participating in our programs (accessible by extension staff).
- Continue to communicate and be flexible.
More testing options for ISU community President Wintersteen and campus leaders provided an update on how staff can receive test kits and face coverings. Staff located off campus can check with their local pharmacy or use Test Iowa to receive a test. January 19, 2022
University HR has revised the COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Flow Chart to help people decide if they need to isolate or when to return to work. ISU paid staff should follow these guidelines and communicate with their supervisor. County paid staff are not required to follow these guidelines. January 18, 2022
Jan. 6 message from President Wintersteen on campus public health measures for Spring semester. This includes information on vaccines, testing, and isolation and quarantine.
Crisis Communication Plan
Crisis Communications Plan available on MyExtension (for staff only). Please review the plan and consider how you would implement it, should a crisis arise.
Aug. 23, 2021 - Mitigating COVID-19 Risk - Vice President for Extension and Outreach - John Lawrence discussed getting vaccinated, wearing face masks, and encouraging vaccination to protect Iowans from COVID-19.
In accordance with President Wintersteen’s August 10, 2021 memo, ISU Extension and Outreach:
- Strongly encourages all staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Encourages wearing face masks indoors when around others, but cannot require them to be worn.
- Encourages unvaccinated people to physically distance from others when possible and wear a face mask when around others.
If partners or a venue have more restrictive guidelines, you should follow their guidance.
Employees who are symptomatic should arrange a test through their primary care provider. If you test positive or need to quarantine according to CDC guidance, it’s your responsibility to contact your supervisor and make work arrangements.
This fall the pillars of Cyclones Care focus on: Vaccinate. Monitor your health. Stay home if you’re ill. Wash your hands often. For many, the pandemic has also taken a toll on mental health. Please consider the resources available for students and faculty and staff to prioritize overall wellbeing.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Iowa State University strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Iowa Board of Regents announced in April that the regent universities will not mandate vaccinations for any student or employee for the 2021-22 academic year. Faculty, staff, and students are not allowed to inquire about vaccine status.
Face Masks
Legislation passed last spring restricting mandates on face coverings, physical distance, and other COVID-19 related mitigation strategies in Iowa. In addition, the Iowa Board of Regents lifted its state of emergency for regent institutions and removed campus requirements for face coverings. While not required, all participants, students, faculty, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear face masks in all indoor spaces when around others. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a face mask anywhere they are around others, and to practice physical distancing when possible. CDC guidance shows that the wearing of face coverings reduces transmission. County staff should also follow any approved policy that their council (employer) has in place.
No one can be required to wear a face mask.
Physical distancing
Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to to physically distance from others when possible and wear a face mask when around others.
Testing
Employees who are symptomatic should arrange a test through their primary care provider or Test Iowa. If you test positive, please follow CDC isolation protocols and contact your supervisor.
Cyclones Care
As Cyclones and ISU Extension and Outreach, we care about the health and well-being of our campus, colleagues, and communities. This year, our Cyclones Care principles will be focused on the following:
- Get your COVID-19 vaccine.
- Wash your hands.
- Monitor your health, including your mental health.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Partners
If partners or a venue have more restrictive guidelines, you should follow their guidance.
Signage
COVID-19 Sign on MyExtension (staff only link) - Aug. 10, 2021 - New sign to post in offices stating face masks encouraged, but not required.