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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
128 Dole Hall
1525 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-2535
vpcm@k-state.edu

October 20, 2020

Don't become complacent: Finish the semester strong

Submitted by Richard Myers and Charles Taber

Dear K-State community, 

We're past the halfway point of the fall semester, which has been unlike any we've seen. The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges for every member of the K-State family. You adapted. You Zoomed. You learned how to learn and work remotely. This has not been an ideal situation, but in the K-State tradition, you rose to the challenge. 

We have seen firsthand how to mitigate the spread of this potentially deadly virus. Wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining physical distancing are the best tools we have to protect each other. Thank you for caring so much and doing the right thing. 

Your hard work in combatting this pandemic is showing: At Kansas State University, our numbers of positive cases continue to go down. As the semester began, our medical experts told us to expect an increase in cases, but also said we could slow the spread through the many preventative measures put into place on our campuses. This turned out to be the case. 

We are fortunate because the opposite is happening in other parts of our state, our country and the world. October marks the seventh month of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Many infectious disease models indicate that the upcoming winter months could bring large increases in the number of cases as everyone spends more time indoors during the colder weather. We're already seeing this trend in nearby areas of the country, particularly in the Midwest and northern Plains states. This will be coupled with the traditional flu season, which peaks in these same months. This double threat requires us to be doubly vigilant. 

Now is not the time to become complacent. We must continue to follow guidelines and safety measures to help stop the spread of the virus. We must continue to wear face coverings and practice physical distancing even if it seems that things are becoming better. This coronavirus thrives when we let down our guard. 

We know that everyone is tired and ready for this pandemic to be over. And while we all — ourselves included — look forward to the day when life can get back to "normal," for now, we must keep up the good work. It takes all of us working together to ensure that every Wildcat is a Wellcat. 

If you need clarification or reminders on any of our K-State safety measures and guidance, make sure to visit the k-state.edu/covid-19 website. 

We know this is a stressful time, too. Don't forget that we have a variety of mental health resources available, including Counseling Services for students and the Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff. Please, don't hesitate to reach out and get the help and assistance you might need. 

No matter what, remember: You are not alone. We're a K-State Family and we can do this together. We can finish the semester strong and safely.

 

Sincerely,

Richard B. Myers, President

Charles Taber, Provost and Executive Vice President