Pierce COVID-19 Student Updates

Pierce COVID-19 Student Updates

April 2, 2020 - Information about COVID-19 Testing
From the City of Los Angeles

At this time, testing is limited in Los Angeles. We are working to expand testing as quickly as possible to provide this service to all Angelenos who need it.

For the moment, these tests are strictly limited to residents of Los Angeles County who are in the most high-risk categories and most vulnerable.

You can find out if you are eligible for testing on this webpage:  https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs

Individuals eligible for testing at this time include:

• Those with symptoms who are 65 and older
• Those with symptoms who have underlying chronic health conditions
• Those who are subject to a mandatory 14 day quarantine period due to a confirmed COVID-19 exposure (with more than 7 days of quarantine remaining)

For people who prefer not to visit a drive-through test center, there are a limited number of tests available at a walk-in clinic. Select the Carbon Health-Echo Park . 

For more questions about testing, please visit our FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.

April 1, 2020 - Students that Qualify Can Get $500 One-Time Grant
Courtesy of the California Community College State Chancellor's Office

California College Student Emergency Support Fund Grants Launches in Response to COVID-19.

During these challenging times, it is more important than ever to help the most vulnerable students stay in school, earn their degrees, and build a better future for themselves and our communities.

The California College Student Emergency Support Fund has launched to give one-time $500 hardship grants to students. Administered by Mission Asset Fund (MAF), the Fund is a statewide philanthropic response to address emergency needs for the state’s low-income college students, including undocumented immigrants, foster youth, and those who are housing insecure.

March 31, 2020 - LACCD Shares an Important Message to the Community from DPSS Director Antonia Jimenez

Dear Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) New and Current Customers:

It has been two weeks since the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health asked us to close our doors to the public to help slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). These extraordinary times require extreme measures; the good news is that you do not need to personally visit any of our offices to apply for or renew your benefits.

We know that in times of crisis, individuals and families need our services more than ever. While our doors are temporarily closed, I want to assure everyone in our community that DPSS is still open for business and ready to serve you.

1. If you are currently receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Relief, Refugee Cash Assistance, or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), your benefits will continue at the same level for March, April and May 2020. You do not have to submit a SAR-7, QR-7, or a recertification packet. You do not need to call our office as your benefits will continue without interruption. Your recertification will be due six months from your original due date. You will receive a notification letter informing you of when your next recertification is due.

If your recertification packet was due in:

• March 2020 - Your recertification is now due in September 2020.
• April 2020 – Your recertification is now due in October 2020.
• May 2020 – Your recertification is now due in November 2020.

Individuals should resume submitting the SAR-7 and QR-7 beginning in June 2020.

2. If you are currently receiving Medi-Cal, your benefits will continue for March, April and May 2020. However, you will still need to comply with the renewal reporting requirement for Medi-Cal or your benefits will be terminated after the 90 days.

If you have received your renewal packet, you can mail or upload it via the DPSS website and click on the Your Benefits Now (YBN) logo.

3. If you are currently receiving General Relief, your benefits will continue for March, April and May 2020. You do not need to submit a QR-7. You do not need to call our office as your benefits will continue.

4. CalWORKs and General Relief Welfare-to-Work requirements have been waived for March, April, and May 2020.

5. In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) reassessments have been suspended for 90 days. However, our social workers will contact IHSS recipients to conduct assessments via telephone and perform welfare checks. Unfortunately, the State still requires a face-to-face interview for new applications. DPSS will streamline this process by completing the application via telephone and scheduling the required face-to-face interview. To apply for IHSS, please call (888) 944-4477, or if you have questions, please contact our IHSS Helpline at (888) 822-9622.

Additional Relief for Existing CalFresh Customers

1. A CalFresh Emergency Allotment will be automatically added to your EBT card. This allotment will increase your CalFresh benefit to the maximum benefit amount for eligible household members up to a maximum of six members. For example, if you are a single adult receiving $140 per month, you will get an additional $54 for a maximum benefit amount of $194.

• March allotment will be distributed sometime in mid-April 2020.
• April allotment will be distributed at the end of April 2020.

Please visit the DPSS website at http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss or our social media pages for up-to-date information including the actual dates for issuance of the emergency allotments.

Good News for Individuals Who Need to Apply for Benefits

If you have lost your job, or just need assistance, please apply for benefits online by visiting the Your Benefits Now website DPSS website and clicking on the YBN logo to get started.

If you are applying for CalWORKs, General Relief, Refugee Cash Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, or CalFresh, please submit all the required documentation with the application and we will waive the application interview. We are accepting self-certification/attestation for photo-identification, residency, income and expense requirements when applying for all programs. For information about program requirements, please visit our website at DPSS website and click on the Programs & Services tab.

We are also posting the latest customer service updates on our website and on the County’s COVID-19 website at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/covid19/closures/. For immediate assistance by phone, please call our Customer Service Center at (866) 613-3777.

As we continue to provide our services online and over the phone, I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to our nurses, doctors, grocery store workers, first responders, delivery drivers, pharmacy workers, food service employees, our eligibility workers and social workers who are working hard to save lives and keep us all going until this crisis is behind us.

I am asking for your help in sharing this important message with our community. If you would like to contact me directly and share your thoughts or ideas, please email me at dpssdirector@dpss.lacounty.gov.

March 30, 2020 - President Montevirgen Welcomes Back Brahma Community

Pierce College Brahma Community,

As classes and student services resume online today I have never been prouder to call Pierce College my home.

Faculty and staff, I thank you for sacrificing your personal time over these last several weeks to bring your classes and departments online and I commend your tireless commitment to being the best at what you do. Your work changes lives and the Pierce College community is forever grateful to you.

Students, thank you for your patience during this transition and for refusing to let the present crisis deter you from your dreams of a brighter future. Now, more than ever, we are counting on you to make that dream come true. To help you during this transition, please know:

• If you need a laptop visit the student portal. After logging in, look for the “Financial Aid and Scholarships” icon tile or the "Key Links" tile. Click on “Scholarships” and look for the laptop application option.
• If you need free WIFI access, visit the Charter Communications website to learn how to apply.
• If you have Canvas or technology issues, visit our Pierce Online student resources page.
• All counseling, financial aid, admissions and registration for summer and fall, and other student support departments are open, online, to serve you. Click here if you need assistance: http://www.piercecollege.edu/pierce_students.asp.

To keep you updated about the latest COVID-19 developments, we are regularly posting information to the District’s website www.laccd.edu/coronavirus and FAQ page. You are also invited to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.  College specific updates and information can also be found on the Pierce college website at: www.piercecollege.edu.

The unprecedented challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our daily lives in ways none of us could ever have imagined. But in this time of uncertainty, one thing has become clear: the critical role community colleges continue to play for our students, our communities, our state and our nation.

The coming months will bring many challenges, but with the support of our amazing faculty and the commitment of our fearless students, we will meet them head on.

We are all in this together. And we will get out of this together, too.

In unity and in health,

Alexis S. Montevirgen, Ed.D.
College President
Los Angeles Pierce College

March 29, 2020 - It's Back to Class for LACCD Students -- The Online Classroom

Full Expansion of FREE NetTutor online help for Students Announced

• The colleges remain physically closed, but open online!  There are no in-person student services available at the colleges, except for DSPS by scheduled appointment only.
• All Student Services are online, including Financial Aid, DSPS/OSS, EOP&S, Admissions & Records, International Student Center and Counseling that respond to questions using instant messaging with virtual chat on your student portal.
• Student Help Desk Available.  If students need password, login or navigation help on the student portal, MyCollege.laccd.edu, call the toll free number at (844) 695-2223, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Summer Session is just around the corner and it will be all online!  Stay enrolled for this important term.  More details soon about registration schedules for students

• If you are sick for any reason, stay home!
• Call your doctor or healthcare provider for direction
• Follow all Health Orders, including the “Safer at Home” order from state and local officials
• Symptoms to watch for include a fever over 100.4 degrees; cough or shortness of breath
• Frequent and complete hand washing for at least 20 seconds
• Stay six feet or more away from strangers and those who are ill
• Stop shaking hands with others to reduce the spread of germs
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your sleeve, safely throw away used tissues

March 26, 2020 - These Classes are the Exceptions to those Moving Online March 30 

All classes are moving to remote, online instruction beginning March 30, 2020 with the exception of the courses listed below.  If you are enrolled in one of these classes, your instructor may have already notified you what will be taking place online starting Monday (3/30) and what may resume face-to-face on May 4, 2020. If you have not received communication, please contact your instructor directly for this information. 

Courses not moving fully online, but may still have some online instruction:

Animal Science: 181A-D, 413, 421, 431, 441, 470, 506, 596A-D, 603A-D, 604, 616, 621, 622, 623, 631, 650
Architecture: 161, 162, 172, 173, 271, 272
Automotive Service Technology: All Classes
CAOT: 63, 64, 65
Child Development: 22
Industrial Technology (Welding and Machining): All Classes
Music: 265-1, 265-2, 265-3
Nursing: All Classes
Plant Science: 714, 812
Vocational Education: 376CE, 385CE

Sincerely,

Sheri Berger
Vice President Academic Affairs

March 26, 2020 - We are Here to Help -- Online Student Support Services Available 

Dear Students,

The District and the Colleges are working full speed to shift as many classes and support services as possible to online environments that will help provide you with a continuity of education and success.

Online classes begin March 30 at all nine colleges using Canvas for online learning.  It is important that you take steps now, before March 30, to click on the ”Getting Started” link https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-18585-getting-started-with-canvas-as-a-student  and to also review the online student guide for Canvas at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701-canvas-student-guide-table-of-contents.  We strongly recommend you do this now, before March 30.   

You should also visit the Distance Learning webpages at your home college for additional resources. There are also many YouTube videos available on this topic, including https://www.youtube.com/user/CanvasLMS.

Meanwhile, key student services such as Financial Aid, DSPS/OSS, EOP&S, Admissions & Records, International Student Center and Counseling will be responding to your questions using instant messaging with virtual chat on your student portal. 

To access a staff member or Academic Counselor, please sign in to your SIS student homepage at MyCollege.laccd.edu https://sso.laccd.edu/adfs/ls/idpinitiatedsignon.aspx?loginToRp=epprod.laccd.edu and click on the “Online Counseling and Live Chat” tile.  If you forgot your password to log on to your SIS portal, call the toll free number at (844) 695-2223, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Once on the portal, select the department you would like to contact from the left-hand menu.  When the page opens, you will see the options available with the employees information on it.  We are adding additional services as quickly as possible, so check back frequently if you don’t find the person or department you need.

Once you locate the person you want to chat with, click on the “Knock on Door” button.  The representative will be alerted that you are waiting, or there will be a message letting you know if the person is online or offline. Hours of operation will vary by college and department.  Continue to look online at www.laccd.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates from the District.

We are all in this together and we are here to help you.  If you are having any difficulty accessing the class materials or maintaining enrollment as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we want to know!  Click on the “Online Counseling & Live Chat” link and keep your Counselor and home college informed about your academic progress and any personal needs you need help with.

We will continue to communicate with you on a regular basis during this time, so please check for messages.  Nothing is more important to us than your health and safety and your educational success with us.

Sincerely,
Los Angeles Community College Administration

March 24, 2020 - All Classes that Cannot be Moved Online will be Postponed to May 4, 2020; Early Withdrawl, Refund Info for Students Announced

Below is information from our District office about classes, how to drop classes and refunds. For specific information about Pierce College, click http://www.piercecollege.edu/pierce_students.asp and select the department you need to reach. You will find each department’s contact information and how to submit any questions you may have.  

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez announced today any class at all nine colleges, plus the South Gate Campus and the Van de Kamp Learning Center, that cannot be converted into an online learning platform for the onset of remote instruction March 30 will be temporarily postponed until at least May 4, 2020.

The overwhelming majority of classes are being converted to online platforms and online instruction is scheduled to begin March 30, however, the District has determined less than five percent of the thousands of classes offered still require in-person interaction in order to meet course and program learning objectives and requirements. It is only this small percentage of classes that will be temporarily postponed. For example, classes that include hands-on performance as learning outcomes, such as stage production and lighting classes, will be postponed.

The District and the Colleges are working with faculty to finalize a list of those classes that have cannot be done online and all affected faculty and students will be notified as soon as possible. The colleges include Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College and West Los Angeles College.

The classes that cannot be converted online run on various schedules, so the resumption date of Monday, May 4, 2020 was identified to sustain and complete the academic calendar to the extent possible and to help keep LACCD in sync with recommendations from Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo, who recommended an extended closure of all Los Angeles County public schools until Tuesday, May 5, 2020, and also with the announcement by Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Buetner, who extended LAUSD’s school closure date to May 1, 2020.

Summary to remember:

 Those courses unable to transition to remote learning will be suspended through May 3, 2020 and will resume May 4, 2020.

 The District is currently working on a plan regarding effective social distancing protocols so that these in-person classes can be done safely.

 The Chancellor has directed an internal analysis and update on this action to occur no later than April 17, 2020 and updated information will be shared with all as soon as possible thereafter.

Early Withdrawal & Refunds for Students

State authority has now been granted to allow students to withdraw from classes because of the current crisis. If a student wants to withdraw, the student will receive an excused withdrawal (EW) on their transcript. The EW will not count against a student’s academic progress requirements. If a student decides to withdraw at this time, a refund of enrollment fees and other related fees will be made.

“We encourage all students to stay enrolled and finish their classes, starting March 30. We will recover from this global health emergency. It is essential that our students take advantage of our online learning environment and achieve their higher education goals. Don’t let this current situation take you off your path–hang with us, as we are doing everything we can to position you for success,” LACCD Chancellor Rodriguez, Ph.D., said.

To withdraw from a class, students use the LACCD Student Portal, log in and click on the Manage Classes icon tile and select “drop classes” from the menu. Select the class, confirm and submit. Students should work with their college’s Financial Aid Office to determine the impact of dropping classes and if repayments might be required. Students who are U.S. Veterans receiving benefits must check with their Campus Certifying Officer first. Contact information is on the student portal.

If a student drops classes as a result of the COVID-19 health emergency, LACCD and the colleges will make sure a student’s academic record is not impacted. This will include the use of excused withdrawals, which do not impact your GPA for transfer or degree purposes. There is no need to make a request for this action. The college will convert your withdrawal (W) to an excused withdrawal (EW) automatically. This will also trigger a refund or credit to your student account, if applicable.

If you paid for your classes using cash, personal check or credit card and do withdraw from the class due to the coronavirus outbreak, a refund will be automatically processed for all excused withdrawal on or after March 20, 2020.

Additional information is being posted to the District’s website at www.laccd.edu/coronavirus -- including updated Frequently Asked Questions, and the main social media accounts, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LACCD/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/laccd. Statewide information for the California Community College is at: https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors- Office/Divisions/Communications-and-Marketing/Novel-Coronavirus

Prevention and Hygiene recommendations from LACDPH continues to be:

 If you are sick for any reason, stay home!

 Call your doctor or healthcare provider for direction

 Follow all Health Orders, including the “Safer at Home” order from state and local officials

 Symptoms to watch for include a fever over 100.4 degrees; cough or shortness of breath

 Frequent and complete hand washing for at least 20 seconds

 Stay six feet or more away from strangers and those who are ill

 Stop shaking hands with others to reduce the spread of germs

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

 Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your sleeve, safely throw away used tissues 

March 24, 2020 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the LACCD 

These questions and answers will be updated as frequently as possible. Find full FAQ online at: http://laccd.edu/About/News/Pages/FAQs.aspx

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus that was first discovered in China in late December 2019. More information is available at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health online at: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

Why are classes moving to remote learning?

The United States has declared a national emergency. It has been ordered by the California Governor Newsom and County Health Officer that “social distancing” and other methods such as self-quarantine must be used to prevent the community spread of COVID-19.

This includes limiting activities in which more than 10 people come together, including for schools and in-classroom instruction. Los Angeles County has enacted a “Safer at Home” order that limits many activities locally. The move to remote learning is an effort to ensure that your education can continue when it is not possible to have in-person classes.

When will classes resume?

Classes will resume in a remote learning model using Canvas on Monday March 30.

All classes that cannot be shifted to online remote learning will be postponed until May 4, 2020. You will be contacted as soon as possible if you will be affected by this postponement. Only a very small percentage of classes will be postponed, such as classes like the utility pole climbing class at L.A. Trade-Tech College that is difficult to shift to online learning. 

Will all classes resume on Monday, March 30?

No. Again, we appear to be unable to transition a very small percentage of classes to remote delivery. These classes will be suspended until at least May 4. We will notify all students who are affected by this situation as soon as possible.

Will there be other changes this semester? 

... For a full list of FAQs please go to: http://laccd.edu/About/News/Pages/FAQs.aspx

March 23, 2020 - All Students Advised to go to Canvas Link Prior to March 30

All Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) students are advised to become familiar as soon as possible with the Canvas learning platform before their online classes start March 30, 2020.  LACCD and its nine colleges are working full speed to shift as many classes and support services as possible to online environments that will help provide students with a continuity of education and success effective March 30, 2020. 

All LACCD students are advised to take steps now, before March 30, to click on the ”Getting Started” link at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-18585-getting-started-with-canvas-as-a-student and to also review the online student guide for Canvas at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701-canvas-student-guide-table-of-contents.

Students should also visit the “Distance Learning” webpages at their home college for additional resources.  There are also many useful YouTube videos available on this topic, including https://www.youtube.com/user/CanvasLMS.

Meanwhile, key student services such as Financial Aid, DSPS/OSS, EOP&S, Admissions & Records, International Student Center and Counseling will be responding to your questions using instant messaging with virtual chat on your student portal.

To access a staff member or Academic Counselor, logon to the SIS student portal, MyCollege.laccd.edu. Click on the “Online Counseling and Live Chat” tile.  If you forgot your password to log on to your SIS portal, call the toll free number at (844) 695-2223, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Once on the portal, select the department you would like to contact from the left-hand menu.  When the page opens, students will see the options available with the employee’s information on it.  Additional services as quickly as possible, so check back frequently if you don’t find the person or department you need.

Once the student locates the person to chat with, click on the “Knock on Door” tab.  The representative will be alerted that a student is waiting, or there will be a message letting you know if the person is online or offline.  Hours of operation will vary by college and department.  Continue to look online at www.laccd.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates from the District.

We are all in this together and we are here to help you.  If any student is having any difficulty accessing the class materials or maintaining enrollment as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we want to know!  Call the Help Desk info above for help.  Please also click on the “Online Counseling & Live Chat” link and keep your Counselor and home college informed about your academic progress and any personal needs you may need help with resolving.

About the Los Angeles Community College District
We are the Colleges of Los Angeles!  LACCD (www.laccd.edu) is the nation’s largest community college district, educating about 250,000 students annually at its nine colleges that serve the residents of more than 36 cities and communities from 900 square miles of Los Angeles County.  Since 1969, the District has been providing an important learning pathway for students seeking transfer to four-year colleges or universities while also offering two-year degrees and certificated training programs to Southern California’s diverse workforce in many specialized trades and professions.  Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/LACCD, @LACCD, and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/laccd @laccd and Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/laccd_edu/ @laccd_edu.

Members of the Board
Andra Hoffman, President  |  Steven F. Veres, Vice President  |  Gabriel Buelna, Ph.D., Second Vice President
Mike Fong  |  Ernest H. Moreno  |  Scott J. Svonkin  |  David Vela  |  Alfredo Gama Salmeron, Student Trustee 

March 21, 2020 - Free and Discount Internet Options for Students

Internet providers such as Spectrum/Charter are offering discount options for remote access for students who don’t have it. Remote classes begin at Pierce College on Monday, March 30, and we are making every effort to get you up and running.

The L.A. Times has gathered the options below. For example, “Charter Communications, which operates under the Spectrum brand, offers 60 days of free broadband, Wi-Fi and installation to households with K-12 and college students who don’t have Spectrum service. Professional or self-installation is available and can take one to seven days.” We are hearing there may be delays, so please contact them soon. 

https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/story/2020-03-20/spectrum-and-other-internet-providers-offer-free-internet-for-students-at-home

Another college district has put together a chart listing free internet resources you can find here:

https://www.rsccd.edu/Coronavirus/Pages/internet-access.aspx

March 20, 2020 - Apply for LACCD Laptop Scholarship in your Portal
Instructions Updated March 30

If you are an LACCD student in need of a laptop to access online instruction, please visit and apply to the laptop application on your student portal under the Financial Aid and Scholarship tab, or the Key Links tile, if you are not on Financial Aid. Visit the Pierce College Media Arts webpage for a pdf with screenshots and more information on how to apply. 

https://piercemediaarts.com/apply-for-the-laccd-laptop-scholarship/

March 14, 2020 - Message to Students from the President
Re:  Important Changes due to Coronavirus

This has been an unprecedented week for Pierce College and for the entire world with everything going on right now related to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. I hope this email finds you and your family in good health.

In light of the most recent developments, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting this afternoon and took action to:

• Suspend all classes Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29.
  
  
• Move the District’s Spring Break to run Monday, March 23 through Sunday, March 29 instead of the currently scheduled break, April 6-11.
  
  
• Suspend in-person services at the colleges, March 16-28. During this time, there will be many offices at the colleges that will also be closed to the public and some staff will begin to work remotely throughout this period with supervisorial approval.
  
  
• Begin remote learning (online education) and remote business operations on Monday, March 30 through the end of the spring semester.

Please note that our student health centers and Child Development Centers will remain open the week of March 16-20 in order to allow parents time to make alternative childcare arrangements, but will be closed during the March 23-29 spring break.

Over these next two weeks, the college will use this time to convert as many courses and student services possible to remote delivery. Also, during this time, we will thoroughly sanitize our facilities.

We are aware that these are major changes and we apologize for the disruption that these changes will cause, but the continued health and safety of you, our students, and the rest of our campus community are our primary concern during this time of national emergency.

Los Angeles Pierce College remains committed to your education and your success. We are continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are working closely with district, county, state, and Federal authorities. We encourage you to view status updates at www.laccd.edu, as well as a direct link to the district-wide Coronavirus/COVID-19 webpage from the Pierce College website.  Should you have questions or concerns, please contact the Office of the President at (818) 719-6408.

We will keep in touch as the days go by and the situation continues to develop. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Alexis S. Montevirgen, Ed.D.
College President
Los Angeles Pierce College

www.piercecollege.edu

March 6, 2020 - Message to Students from the Pierce College Health Center
Re:  What to Know About Coronavirus

Pierce College is monitoring Coronavirus -- Risk of infection to public is believed to be low as of March 6, 2020

Students,

Our Student Health Center would like to share information about the outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. At this time, the immediate health risk from the coronavirus to the general public in the United States is considered low.

We advise persons who recently traveled from Wuhan City or other affected areas in the past 14 days or have had close contact with someone suspected or known to have 2019-nCoV to watch for flu-like symptoms:

• Fever (>100.4 °F or 38°C)
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing

If you are experiencing symptoms, use a face mask and seek immediate medical evaluation. Please call your health care provider in advance so that they can minimize your exposure to other people. If you are not experiencing symptoms, you do not have to be seen by a provider or wear a mask.

Students should contact the Student Health Center at 818-710-4270 or go to their primary care providers for medical evaluation, if they feel unwell.

Prevention:

There is no vaccine. The best way not to get sick from this or any respiratory virus is to regularly get an annual flu shot, stay informed about the situation via official health agency websites, and proactively use the following preventative steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, free at the Student Health Center.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Obtain an annual flu vaccine, available at the Health Center for $17.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. In addition, the CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

For more detailed information including updates and FAQ’s, please go to the CDC’s website at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

For local updates go to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department’s website at: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

LAPC STUDENT HEALTH CENTER:
Student Services Building 2^nd Floor
Hours:  Mon-Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
818-710-4270

Beth Benne, RN, BSN, PHN, MA
Student Health Center
Health Center Director

Mitchell Nishimoto, MD
Student Health Center Physician