Preeti N. Malani, MD, infectious disease expert and chief health officer for the University of Michigan, has spent the past several months preparing for U-M students and faculty to return to campus a semester anchored by public health principles, as she writes in The New York Times.
Preeti Malani, MD
Malani shares some suggestions for minimizing health risks on campus this fall, including:
- Keep move-in efficient and make plans for virtual check-ins with families since parent and family weekends won’t be able to take place.
- Prepare for your room to be your home—the place you study, sleep, eat, and attend virtual classes.
- With many classes being conducted remotely, explore opportunities to get extra help and resources.
- Identify the health resources available to you and review the policies about insurance plans. Make sure to also monitor symptoms and get a flu shot.
- Take care of your physical health and social well-being.
Malani encourages everyone to take on shared responsibility this fall.
“While testing has a role, consistent adherence to basic public health measures—wearing a mask, washing your hands, and physical distancing—is the most important aspect of prevention,” Malani writes.
She adds that a successful fall semester depends on a social contract because the behavior of those on campus will determine the success of the semester.
